strategic plan 2018 2023 - ncseagrant.ncsu.edu

STRATEGICPLAN2018–2023

North Carolina Sea Grant Strategic Plan 2018–2023

Contents

MISSION 1

VISION 1

INTRODUCTION 1

COREVALUESANDPRINCIPLES 3

FOCUSAREAS 4

HEALTHYCOASTALECOSYSTEMS 5

RESILIENTCOMMUNITIESANDECONOMIES 7

SUSTAINABLEFISHERIESANDAQUACULTURE 10

ENVIRONMENTALLITERACYANDWORKFORCEDEVELOPMENT 13

CROSS-CUTTINGIMPACTS 16

CONCLUSION 16

cover:shrimp,fromMariner’sMenu(VandaLewis);fellowMelindaMartinezinthefield(courtesyofher);spat-on-shelloyster(JohnLambeth/NCFBF);Florence(NASA);fellowHaleyPlaasinthefield(M.May/UNCResearch).

publicationnumberUNC-SG-20-12

NCSeaGrant.org

NORTH CAROLINA SEA GRANT STRATEGIC PLAN 2018–2023

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North Carolina Sea Grant Strategic Plan 2018–2023

MISSION Throughintegratedresearchandoutreachefforts,NorthCarolinaSeaGrantenhancesthesustainableuseofocean,coastalandwatershedresources,benefittingcommunities,economiesandecosystems. VISION NorthCarolinaSeaGrantisakeyleaderinaddressingthestate’surgentandlong-termneedsinocean,coastalandwatershedresourcemanagement.Theprogramsharessoundscience,developseducationalexcellence,andbuildsextensiveandeffectivepartnerships. INTRODUCTION NorthCarolinaSeaGrantisaninter-institutionalprogramoftheUniversityofNorthCarolinasystem.ThispartnershipbetweentheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationandthestateofNorthCarolinaisoneof34SeaGrantprogramsacrossthenation,andalibrary,administeredbytheNationalSeaGrantCollegeProgram.NorthCarolinaSeaGrantfocuseson:researchtosupportresolutionofstate,regional,andnationalcoastalresource-managementchallenges;outreachviaextensionandcommunicationsteamswhosupportthedevelopmentandtransferofresultingtechnologiesandapplicationsaswellasthosefromcollaborationswithlocalpartners;internalprogrammanagement,includinggrantsadministration;andeducationalprogramsthatsupportastrongknowledgefoundationforamixofstakeholders,suchastheacademiccommunity,governmentofficials,businessesandindustries,K-12teachersandstudents,andthepublic.Acrossfivedecades,NorthCarolinaSeaGrant’sinnovativeprogramshaveaddressedthestate’scoastalresourcepriorities.Theprogramisanationallyrecognizedleaderinforgingstrong,long-termcollaborationsthatlinkresearchportfoliosofNorthCarolina’spublicandprivateuniversitieswithavarietyofcriticalstate,localandregionalneeds.NorthCarolinaSeaGrantdrivessoundscience,aswellasstrongrelationshipsandpartnershipsincommunitiesthatsupporttheprogram’sco-creationofappliedsolutionsatlocal,state,andregionallevels.WithitsheadquartersatNCStateUniversityandthreecoastaloffices,theSeaGrantteamreadilysharesexpertisewithmany


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partners,reinforcingitsoutstandingtrackrecordincommunicatingscienceandpolicyinformationtomanyaudiencesviaacadreofspecialists,targetedproductsandengagingevents. Changing Demography NorthCarolinacontinuesitsoverallgrowthtrajectory.Thetotalpopulationwentoverthe10.5millionmarkin2019andisprojectedtotop10.6millionpeoplein2020,thusrankingthestateninthinthenationaccordingtorecentestimatesfromtheU.S.CensusBureau.Acrossthenation,NorthCarolinahadthefourthlargestpopulationincreasesince2018withonlyTexas,Florida,andArizonagainingmoreresidentsoverthepastyear.Withagrowthrateof1.0%since2018,NorthCarolinagrewtwiceasfastasthenationalaverage(0.5%)andwasthe10thfastest-growingstate.Muchofthegrowthcontinuestobeininlandmetropolitanareasthatarehometoheadwatersforwatershedsofcoastalrivers.Thelargestcoastalcity,Wilmington,atthemouthoftheCapeFear,hasanestimatedpopulationof126,669in2020,andistheeighthlargestcityinNorthCarolina.Wilmington’spopulationhasincreasedby18.7percentsincethemostrecentcensusin2010.NorthCarolina,infact,isataleoftwostatesinone.Afewoceanfrontcounties—suchasNewHanoverCounty,hometoWilmington,andadjoiningBrunswickCounty—areseeingsignificantpopulationincreasesexpectedtocontinuewithcurrentestimatesata21%increaseby2030.Thatgrowthincludesaninfluxofretirees,agroupthatalsomaybringsocial,healthandeconomicchallengesandopportunitiesinthelongrun.Atthesametime,10ofthe20countiesinthestate’sCoastalAreaManagementActregionareexpectedtohavepopulationlossesreflectedinthe2020Census,accordingtoprojectionsfromtheN.C.OfficeofBudgetandManagement.Mostofthecoastalplaindoesnotreapthebenefitsofoceanfronttourism.Manycountiesarelosingearly-careeradultsinsearchofjobs.Meanwhile,localofficialscontinuetoseeksustainableeconomicdevelopment.NorthCarolinaanditscoastalregionalsoarebecomingmoreethnicallydiverse.SeaGrantresearchcoupledwithintegratedextensionandcommunicationeffortswillreflectsuchchangesandstrivetomeetavarietyofinformationdemands.TheCOVID-19pandemicwillcontinuetoimpactallaspectsofNorthCarolinians’lives.NorthCarolinaSeaGrantiscommittedtoworkingwithstatepartnersandlocalcommunitiestoflexiblyadaptprogramprioritiesandutilizeavarietyoftechnologiestoaddressthenear-termandanticipatedlong-termimpacts.Thepandemicposesnewhurdlesforcommunities,aswellashowresearchersandextensionteammemberscansafelyinteractwithstakeholderstocontinuetosupportthem.Thesechangesinabilitytointeractincreasechallengesofengagingunderrepresentedandvulnerableindividualsandcommunities,populationsthatalreadyhaddisproportionateeconomicandotherimpactsbeforethepandemic.COVID-19impactsnotonlyincludehealthconsiderations,butalsosignificanteconomicandpotentialenvironmentalconsiderations.Someimpactswillbelonglasting,andwillshapethefuturelandscapeofcommunities,economies,industries,andgovernments.


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ThepandemichasreflectedhowSeaGrantisnimble,abletoadjustitsactivitiestomeetnewchallengesandshiftingprioritieswhilemeetingouroverallmissionandvision.Already,manywaysofdoingbusinessarechangingandmanychangesarelikelytobepermanent.Extendedeconomicimpactsareyettobefullyrealized,andothernegativeimpactsareanticipatedtobewidespreadforyearstocome,includingreductionsinstateinvestments,resultinginpotentialcapacityreductionsnotonlyforNorthCarolinaSeaGrant,butalsoformanystate,localandcommunitypartners.Thus,theimportanceofbuildingpartnershipsandleveragingexpertiseandresourceshasneverbeenmoreevident. CORE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES Thisupdatedstrategicplan,nowinformingourworkthrough2023,willguideourprogram’sinvestmentstorespondeffectivelytourgentandlong-termchallengesandopportunities.Thoseeffortswillbenefitcommunities,ecosystemsandeconomiesacrossthestate,regionandnation.NorthCarolinaSeaGrantchampionsthevaluesofdiversity,equity,andinclusion.Inordertoexpand,innovate,andmaximizeourprogram’seffectiveness,werecognizewemustembedthesevaluesinourorganizationalexpectationsanddailyoperations.Inaddition,asNorthCarolina’spopulationcontinuestogrowanddiversify,ourprogram’srelevanceinthestateincreasinglywillrelyonhowwellweembodydiversity,equity,andinclusion.Wealsorecognizethatsocietalbarriersandchallengesmeanthatwemustinitiateintentionalmeasuresifwehopetofullyrealizediversity,equity,andinclusioninallaspectsofourprogrammaticportfolio.Ourprogramwillcontinuetostrivefordiversity,equity,andinclusionby:

• Proactivelyrecruiting,retainingandpreparingadiverseworkforcethatreflectsdiversityacrossalllevelsofourorganizationalstructure.

• Engagingandservingcommunitiesandstakeholderswhoarerepresentativeofthebroaderpopulationswhereourprogramsoperate.

• Creatingandfacilitatingresearchopportunitiesthatequitablyfundunder-targetedandunderserveduniversities,facultyandstudents;andfosterresearchwithreal-worldoutcomesthatbenefitunderservedcommunities.

Theseinvestmentsandcommitmentswillinformthewayourteamworkstoaddressthestrategicplanfocusareasandassociatedoutcomes.Inadditiontoourprogram’scommitmenttodiversity,equityandinclusionwewillexecuteourmissionbasedoncorevaluesandcross-cuttingprinciplesincluding:

• Identifyingemergingandongoingneedsinpartnershipwithcoastalcommunities,aswellasseekinginnovativeopportunitiesandsolutions.

• Embracinginterdisciplinaryandcollaborativeapproachesthatincorporate


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research,outreachandeducationtoaddresscomplexchallenges.

• Supportingsoundsciencethroughmerit-basedpeerreviewofresearchresults

• Developingcadresofcross-trainedstudentsacrossmultipledisciplinestodevelopthenextgenerationofexpertsoncoastaltopics.

• Translatingandcommunicatingscience-basedinformation,solutions,andbestpracticesinanaccessibleandinclusivemannerforarangeofstakeholderssothattheycanmakeinformeddecisionsandeducatefuturegenerations.

Thesevaluesareintegraltotheprogram’sorganizationalapproachesandconstantself-evaluation.Wereinforcethemthroughprofessionaldevelopmentwithinourteam,aswellasthestrongconnectionsacrossourportfolioofprojectsandactivities.Ourprogram’smanagementteamandallourprofessionalsintegratethesecorevaluesthroughouttheirduties.WeadaptouroperationsaswedrawoninformationfromourownDEIcommittee,theNorthCarolinaSeaGrantAdvisoryBoard,stateandfederalagencies,andpartnersinacademia,localgovernmentsandcommunities,businessandindustry,andotherorganizations. FOCUS AREAS Tomeetourmissionandtocontinuetoexpandourimpactsinsupportingtheocean,coastalandwatershedresourcemanagementneedsofthestate,NorthCarolinaSeaGrantwillconcentrateeffortsinthefollowingstrategicareas:

• HealthyCoastalEcosystems

• ResilientCommunitiesandEconomies

• SustainableFisheriesandAquaculture

• EnvironmentalLiteracyandWorkforceDevelopmentThesefocusareas,alongwithrespectivegoalsandoutcomes,arosefromanin-depthprocessthatincludedaseriesoffacilitated,stakeholderstrategic-planningfocusgroupsin2015-16;astatewideonlinesurveythatreachednewaudiences;andnationalperspectivesfromtheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationandNationalSeaGrantCollegeProgram.Thisplanwasupdatedin2020throughdiscussionswiththeNorthCarolinaSeaGrantAdvisoryBoardandNorthCarolinaSeaGrant’sexperiencedresearch,extensionandcommunicationteammemberstoensurestate-basedapplicabilityandrelevance.NorthCarolinaSeaGrantiscommittedtoprogramadvancementineachfocusareabyexplicitlyintegratingaspectrumofactivities.Thus,ourgoalsanddesiredoutcomespositiontheprogramtoleveragecurrentcapacity,expandanddevelopnewpartnershipsandfundingavenuesinsupportofprogramgoals,andextendprogram


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investmentstonewchallengesandopportunitiesinNorthCarolina’snaturalresourcemanagement.Asdesigned,thesefocusareasaresynergistic,eachbuildinguponandcomplementingoneanotherforprogramefficienciesandeffectiveness.Additionally,NorthCarolinaSeaGrantisatrustedpartnerforlocalcommunities,includingcountyandmunicipalgovernments,andtheprogramwillcontinuetogrowinfacilitationandco-creation,engagingwithandlisteningtolocalprioritiesandincorporatingtheiron-the-groundperspectivesintoSeaGrantresearchandoutreachinvestments. HEALTHY COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS Healthycoastalecosystemsandeconomiesarethefoundationforlifealongthecoast.However,coastaldevelopment,currentland-usepracticesandotherhumanactivitiesarecontributingtowater-qualitydegradationandhumanhealthimpacts,aswellasthedeclineofaquaticandterrestrialhabitatforfishandotherspecies,wetlandsloss,andproliferationofinvasivespecies.Asmanypartnersworktorestoreandmaintaintheseecosystems,suchthreats,alongwithheightenedchallengesarisingfromclimatechange,needtobebetterunderstoodinordertoprovideafoundationforinitialstepsindevelopingadaptationandmitigationstrategies.Seeingthelinksbetweenhealthyecosystemsandsustainableeconomicdevelopment,NorthCarolinaSeaGrantisakeypartnerindrawingattentiontotheemergingconceptoftheBlueEconomy—asustainableoceanandcoastaleconomythatreflectsthelong-termcapacityofthoseecosystemstosupporthumanactivities,andalsotoremainresilientandhealthy.Consideringthesignificanteconomicinvestmentandpotentialreturns,itisvitaltoprovideprotectionandrestorationefforts,includingnaturalornature-basedsolutionsthatseektoachieveecosystemfunctionanddelivervalue.Workingwithpartnersinacademia,industryandagencies,andwithinlocalcommunities,ourSeaGrantteamplaysakeyroleinlistening,prioritizing,identifyingandassessingimpairedecosystems,andsupportingtheco-developmentofpotentialpolicies,technologiesandprocesseswiththesepartnersthatleadtoimprovementofwatershed,coastalandoceanecosystems.Thiswillbeaccomplishedthroughrigorousnatural,physicalandsocialscienceapproachesthatworksynergisticallytoadvancetheknowledgeofcoastalecosystems.Regionalormulti-stateprojectsalsowillbeapartofourSeaGrantportfolio,torecognizethatwatershedsandecosystemsextendbeyondgovernmentboundaries.NorthCarolinaSeaGrantwillworktoexpandresearcheffortsandinvestmentsthatsupportthisfocusareainresponsetorecentfederalreviewsuggestions.Thefinalcomponentofhealthycoastalecosystemsissuccessfuloutreach.SeaGrantteammembersandpartnersacrossthestateinvolvedinresearchworkcloselywithourextensionandcommunicationsspecialists.Together,theyactivelyengageandlistentoresidents,communityleaders,andpolicymakerstoprioritizecommunicationproductsandbestapproachestotranslatethelatestecosystemknowledgeintopractice,andmaximizethebenefittohumansandecosystems,atthecoastandupstream.


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Healthy Coastal Ecosystems Goal 1 Acombinedhuman/naturalsystems/watershedapproach,focusedonpresent-dayandemergingecosystemconditions,createsandsupportsthegenerationofnewknowledgeandapplications. Outcomes

• Appliedandinterdisciplinaryresearchisco-developedwithpartners,includingcommunitymembers,andissupportedtoassessthehealth,function,threatstoandresilienceofcoastalecosystems,communities,andindividuals.

• Upstreamoutputs(e.g.,sediment,nutrients,toxins,plastics,flows)arecoupledtodownstreamimpactstoimprovewatershedscaleunderstandingandimpactsoncoastalecosystems,communities,andindividuals.

• Habitatchangesthroughtimearequantifiedandlinkedtodrivers,suchasclimatechange,changingland-use,andrestorationpractices.

• Ecologicalandeconomicimpactsofadaptation,restorationandpolicyactivitiesarebetterunderstoodusingexistingandnewlydevelopedmethodologiesandtechnologies.

Healthy Coastal Ecosystems Goal 2 Habitatprotection,restorationandeconomicbenefitsaremaximizedthroughappliedresearchandoutreach. Outcomes

• Resourcemanagers,designprofessionals,coastalresidents,communityleaders,industriesandlocalofficialsarecollaborativelyengagedtostrengthenthetranslationofresearchtoapplicationsrelatedtohabitatfunctionsinordertoincreaseunderstandingofecosystembenefits—environmental,socialandeconomic—viainnovativecommunicationproductsandengagementtechniques.

• Demonstrationsofinnovativetechnologies,sustainabledesignsandrestorationpracticesincludingnaturalandnature-basedapproachesareexecutedandevaluatedincollaborationwithdiversepartnersacrossthecoastandinland.

• Newpartnershipsaredevelopedtoidentifycoastalecosystemissuesandopportunities,cultivatecitizenscientists,prioritizecommunity-drivenprojects,andincreaseawarenessofourprogram’sproductsandexpertise.

• Newtoolsandoutreachprogramsbasedonresearchresultssupportdecisionmakingandenvironmentalliteracyandareaccessibleandco-developedwith


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communitiesthatrepresentthediversityofcoastalNorthCarolina.ThesegoalsandoutcomescorrespondwithperformancemeasuresoftheNationalSeaGrantCollegeProgram:

• Numberofresourcemanagerswhouseecosystem-basedapproachesinthemanagementofland,waterandlivingresourcesasaresultofSeaGrantactivities.

• Numberofacresofcoastalhabitatprotected,enhancedorrestoredasaresultofSeaGrantactivities.

RESILIENT COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES Offshore,nearshore,coastal,estuarineandwatershedenvironmentsshapethesocialandeconomiccharacteristicsofNorthCarolina’scoastalcommunities—including,butnotlimitedto,neighborhoods,ruralandunincorporatedcommunities,andformaltowns,citiesandcounties.Relatedeconomiesdependuponwaterresources.Increasingly,thesecommunitiesarerecognizingthatecosystemsmustbehealthyandrobusttosupportvarieduses.Naturalandhuman-maderiskscanthreatenlivesandlivelihoodsandbuiltenvironmentsforthosewholive,workandplayalongourcoast.Naturalrisksincludeerosionandextremeweatherevents,coastalstormsandrelatedsurges,sea-levelrise,floodinganddrought.Riskswithhuman-madecausesorcomponentsincludechemicalandotherspills,climatechange(alsoincludingsea-levelrise),economiccrises,andunpredictablepublichealthdisastersasbroughttolightbytheCOVID-19pandemic.Risksmaybeshort-termeventsorunfoldoverlongertimescales,withimpactsfeltlocally,throughoutNorthCarolinaandbeyond.Theabilitiesofindividuals,communitiesandindustriestoremainresilienttothosedynamicriskswillrequireanunderstandingofmitigationandadaptationstrategiesandimplicationsthatmayimpactthewaystheylive,plan,build,develop,anddobusiness,thuspreventingdamagefrom,ortakingadvantageof,changes.ThisisespeciallychallengingaspopulationsandeconomicdriverscontinuetochangealongthecoastandimpactsarelikelytobeheavierintheruralandunderservedcoastalcommunitiesofNorthCarolina.NorthCarolinaSeaGrantwillprovidephysicalandsocialscienceresearchtosupportcoastaleconomiesandcommunities—andofferthemtechnicalassistancetoplanforandadapttonaturalandman-maderisks.Thepotentialforincreasednumberandintensityofextremeweatherevents,sea-levelrise,flooding,oilspills,andothernaturalandhuman-madehazardsplacesN.C.coastalcommunitiesatgreaterrisk.Thatresultsingreatervulnerabilityformanyresidents—forpeopleofallages,abilitiesandincomes,andparticularlyforthosewhoaretraditionallyunderserved—aswellasforbusinessesandcriticalinfrastructure.Coastalcommunities,residentsandvisitors,andbusinessesneedatrustedunderstandingoftheirriskanditsimplicationsinordertomakeinformeddecisionsthatbestprotectlivesandpropertyandpromotethesustainableuseofresourcesandresilient


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economies.Individuals,businessesandcommunitiesneedtodevelopcomprehensivepreparedness,resilienceandresponseplans,includingstrategicallyintegratingmultipleplans(e.g.hazardmitigationplans,emergencyresponseplans,healthcareplans,transportationplans,watermanagementplans).Also,communitiesmustbeableimplementthoseplansand,whennecessary,respondeffectively.SeaGrantcancontributetothisplanningbybuildingasoundknowledgebasetoimproveforecastingcapabilities;analyzingandaddressingsocialvulnerabilitiesanddisparities;identifyingdevelopmentandbestmanagementpracticesthatreducethevulnerabilityofpeople,infrastructure,businessesandcommunitiestocoastalhazards;andbyadvancingwayscommunitiescanmitigate,adapt,manageandrecoverfromtheseevents.SeaGrantworkswithpartnerstoidentifybarriers—financial,informational,culturalandlegal—toeffectiveplanning,aswellaschallengesinimplementinglocalpoliciesandsolutionswhenmultiplepropertyowners,decisionmakersandmanagersareinvolved.NorthCarolinaSeaGrantwillworktoexpandresearcheffortsandinvestmentsthatsupportthisfocusareainresponsetorecentfederalreviewsuggestions. Resilient Communities and Economies Goal 1 Resilientcoastaleconomiesaresupportedbyadiverserangeofexistingandemergingsectorsthatenablesustainableuseofmarineandcoastalresources. Outcomes

• Researchresultsassistcoastalcommunitiestoidentify,evaluateandsupporttherolesoftraditionalbusinessandindustry,aswellasemergingsectorsindiversecoastaleconomies.

• Communitiesunderstandneedsandopportunitiesforpreservingculturalheritageandcoastalaccess;increasingthevalueofsustainablewater-dependentindustries,includingworkingwaterfronts,recreationandtourism;andencouragingemergingsectorswithenvironmentallyandeconomicallysustainablebusinesspractices.

• Communitiesengageintechnicalplanningbasedonbestavailableinformationthatwillsupportdiversified,sustainableandresilienteconomies,ecosystemsandcommunities.

• Outreachprogrammingengagescommunitiesinco-developinganunderstandingofhowplanningandmanagementdecisionsaffectecosystemandhumanhealth,howdegradedcoastalecosystemscannegativelyimpacthumanhealth,andhowhealthycoastalecosystemscansupportprofitablelocalbusinessandindustry.

• Communitiesengageintechnicalassistanceprogramsthatincludedecision-supporttoolsthatreflecttheirneedsandprioritiesandenablethemtoconsider


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integratedstrategiesforresourcemanagement,alongwithbestmanagementpractices.

Resilient Communities and Economies Goal 2 Communitiesandindividualsunderstandrisksassociatedwithliving,workinganddoingbusinessalongthecoastandincoastalwatersheds,andmakeinformeddecisionsforefficientuseofland,energyandwaterresourcestosustaincoastalecosystemsandeconomies. Outcomes

• Interdisciplinaryresearchandoutreach—includingnaturalandsocialsciences,law,policyandthearts—areusedbyourteamandcollaboratorstobetterunderstandandevaluateriskstocommunities,includingphysicalandsocialvulnerabilitiestonaturalandhuman-madehazards.

• Communitiesarebetterpreparedtoplanandimplementadaptationstrategiestoincreaseresilience,includingsupportforcommunity-levelplanningeffortsthatrequireincreasinglyintegratedeffortsforcoordinatedresponses(e.g.hazardmitigationplans,comprehensiveemergencypreparednessandresponseplans,healthcareplanning,transportation/infrastructureplanning,watermanagementplans,buildingcodes,etc.),aswellasassessmentsofhowvulnerabilitytohazardsmayimpactlocaleconomies,infrastructureandaspectrumofpopulations.

Resilient Communities and Economies Goal 3 Communitiesandeconomieshavecapacitytoeffectivelypreparefor,respondto,andadapttothecurrentandanticipatedrisksandimpactsofhazardsandcatastrophes.Outcomes

• Interdisciplinaryresearchandoutreachfocusingoncurrent,emergingandpotentialhazardsprovidesstrategiesforcoastaldecisionmakers,communities,businessesandotherstakeholderstoplan,remediate,adaptand/ormitigateagainstdamageexposure,ortoacceleraterecoverywhen/wheretheimpactsareunavoidable.

• Communitieshavereadyaccesstoresearch-basedinformationandbestmanagementpracticesthroughoutreacheffortsthatassisttheminidentifyingandplanningforexistingandfuturehazards.

• Localleaders,atthecommunity,countyand/orregionalscale,understandopportunitiestobuildinsafetyfactorsthatalsoservetohelplowerinsurancecosts,suchasthroughtheCommunityRatingSystem.


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ThesegoalsandoutcomescorrespondwithperformancemeasuresoftheNationalSeaGrantCollegeProgram:

• Numberofcommunitiesthatadopt/implementsustainableeconomicandenvironmentaldevelopmentpracticesandpoliciesasaresultofSeaGrantactivities.

• Numberofcommunitiesthatadopt/implementhazardresiliencypracticestoprepareforandrespondto/minimizecoastalhazardousevents.

SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE WithincreasingpopulationgrowthandU.S.seafoodconsumptionrates,expandingadomesticseafoodsupplyisofgreatimportance.NorthCarolinawatersprovideseafoodtoconsumersviathreemainsources:thecommercialfishingindustry,adevelopingmarineaquaculturesectorandrecreationalfishing.Acontinuedsafeandsustainableseafoodsupplymeanseachoftheseindustriesmustberesponsivetosocialandenvironmentalneeds,alongwithchangingexpectationsofmarkets.Additionally,increasingconsumerdemandsforfreshseafoodprovideanopportunityforeducationaleffortstoincreaseconsumers’comfortcookingseafoodathomeandcontinuetoenhancein-statemarkets,includingdirect-to-consumersalesforNorthCarolinamarineseafoodproducts.Theimportanceofsupportingastrongsupplychainandeconomicstructurehavecomeintogreaterfocusasthepandemicbroughtrestaurantclosuresandshiftedconsumerattentiontoretailanddirectseafoodsalesforwild-caughtandaquacultureproducts.Effectiveconservationandmanagementstrategiesofseafoodresourcesaredependentuponthecollectionofbasic,applied,andsometimesnovel,scientificinformation.Currently,someNorthCarolinafishstockslacksufficientdata,particularlyadirectindexofabundance,onwhichtobasepolicydecisions.NorthCarolina’scommercialfishingindustrylandswild-caughtseafood,andinmanycasesthefishingindustryispartoftheculturalfabricofsmallercoastalcommunities.Thatannualharvest—tallyingabout53millionpounds,worthabout$87millionatthedocksin2019—strivestomeetdemandforfreshness,flavorandnutritioninseafoodthatconsumersoftenfindlackinginimports.Topspeciesbydockvalueincludebluecrabsandshrimp.Meanwhile,marineaquaculturepresentsanopportunitytomeetgrowingin-stateconsumerdemandwhilealsocreatingnewjobsandhelpinglocalcoastaleconomies.NorthCarolina’ssmall,butgrowing,marineaquacultureindustrynowhasafarmgatevalueof$2.9million,basedmainlyonsoftcrabs,oystersandclams.Eachyear,thefor-hirerecreationalfishingindustry,includingcharterandheadboats,affordsaccesstoseafoodtomultitudesofanglers.Expandedresearchandextensionprogrammingwiththissectorwouldadvancefor-hirebusinessoperations,fisherymanagementdecisions,aswellastourismandmarketingeffortsforcoastalcommunities.Marinerecreationalanglerstook17.5milliontripsin2019.Topspecies


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landedincludespottedseatrout,mahimahiandbluefish.Foreveryfishlandedbyanangler,twoandahalfarecaughtandreleased.Partnersnotethatimprovedcommunicationwiththesegroupscouldenhanceunderstandingandcompliancewithregulations,boostconservationefforts,andimprovelocaleconomiesincoastalcommunitiesandbeyond.Thisfocusarearequiresaresearchandengagementstrategywithcommercialharvesters,aquacultureproducers,recreationalanglers,fisherymanagers,seafoodconsumers,commercialseafoodbuyers,andotherstakeholders.Theseeffortsseektoensureasafe,sustainableseafoodsupplyforthecomingyears.Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Goal 1 ImprovedscienceandmanagementwilladvanceconservationandsustainabilityofNorthCarolinalivingmarineandestuarineresourcesanddependentecosystems. Outcomes

• Newresearchapproachesandstrategiestocollectessentialfisheryinformationandfillidentifieddatagapsformanaginglivingmarineresourcesandaquaticecosystems.

• Researchandpilottestingofadvancedtechnologiesandtechniquesinfisheriesscienceanddatamanagementwillreduceresearchcostsandsupporteffortsbyresourcemanagers.

• Citizen-scienceprojectscollectmonitoringandmanagementdatathatwouldnotbefeasibleusingstandardresearchpractices,whilealsofosteringmarinestewardshipandgreatertrustinscientificdata.

• Researchandoutreachregardingtechnologiesandfishingpracticesthatreducecommercialbycatchandrecreationalfishingmortalityareencouraged,developed,refined,and/orareimplementedbypartnersandthepublic.

• Researchthatassessesenvironmentalimpactsand/orthreatsrelatedtohumanactivities—includingseafoodharvests;impactsoffishingactivities,marineaquaculture;andintroductionofnon-nativespecies—aresupported,withresultsanddatasharedamongpartnerstosupportandimplementresponsibleandsustainablepractices.

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Goal 2 NorthCarolinawild-caughtseafoodandmarineaquacultureindustriesemployoptimalbusinessstrategies,becomemorecompetitiveinthemarketplace,andprovideeconomicbenefitstocoastalcommunities.


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Outcomes

• Membersofthepublicandfishinginterestshavevariedopportunitiestolearnaboutcompetingusesforpublic-trustwaters,includingthesitingandapprovalprocessesforshellfishleases.

• Research,development,andtransferofnewandrefinedwild-caughtseafoodharvestandaquacultureproductiontechnologiesaresupportedforexistingandcandidatespecies.

• Workforceandbusinessdevelopmenteffortsresultinstakeholderswhoarebetterequippedtoinitiateandmanagenewandexpandingopportunities,andwhocannavigatehurdlesresultingfromrapidmarketconstrictions,suchasforeclosuresandslowdownsduringCOVID-19.

• Innovativemarketingandsupply-chainapproaches,includingdirectmarketingtotargetedaudiences,aresharedwithcoastalandinlandbusinesses,toencourageservicesandproductsthatenhancetheeconomicvalueofN.C.seafoodtofishermenandproducers,restaurants,retailersandconsumers.

• Businessesidentifyanddefineopportunitiesandproblemsbyusingqualitativeandquantitativemarket-researchtechniques,includinglearningprinciplesforaddingvaluetomarineseafoodcommodities,andresourcesforpublic-andprivate-sectorguidanceregardingvariousstagesofproductdevelopment.

• Harvesters,growers,processors,restaurantchefs,retailers,andregulatorshaveopportunitiestolearntoprevent,eliminate,orreducetosafelevelsvariousbiological,chemical,andphysicalhazardsthathavepublic-healthsignificance.

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Goal 3 Marinerecreationalanglersandotherwaterwayusersincreasetheirunderstandingandappreciationofaquaticresources.Outcomes

• Individualanglers,fishingclubsandorganizations,andthefor-hirecharterindustrymembersbetterunderstandmanagementpracticesof,andopportunitiesfor,stewardshipinrecreationalfisheries.

• Infrastructureandbusinessopportunitiesareidentifiedineffortstoenhancemarinerecreationalfishingopportunities,includingimprovedcommunityawarenessofthesocialandotherbenefitsassociatedwithrecreationalfishing,suchasparticipationbypeopleofallages,abilitiesandincomes,includingminoritypopulations.

• Recreationalboatershavenewsourcesofinformationregardingsafety,


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compliancewithwater-qualityregulations,marinedebrischallengesandeffortstoreducethelossoffishing-relatedgear.

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Goal 4 ConsumersarebettereducatedaboutthevalueofeatingNorthCarolina’swild-caughtandculturedseafood,withrelatedbusinessesbuildinguponconnectionsconsumershavetoseafoodproductsandcommunities.Outcomes

• Seafoodconsumersareeducatedandhavetheknowledgetoevaluatethevarietyofseafoodchoicesavailabletothem,includingwild-caughtandaquacultureproducts,aswellasaworkingunderstandingoffisheriesmanagementandseafoodharvestandproductionpractices.

• Seafoodconsumersbetterunderstandthenutritionalbenefitsofseafoodproducts;howtojudgeseafoodqualityatthepointofpurchase;andhowtohandle,prepareand/orcookseafoodsafelyinthehome.

• ChefsandotherbusinessleadersbuildbusinessstrategiesrelatedtoN.C.seafood,includingbutnotlimitedtotourismrelatedtoseasonalityofseafoodchoices,recipesandcookinginstructions,andfishingcommunities’heritage.

ThesegoalsandoutcomescorrespondwiththisperformancemeasureoftheNationalSeaGrantCollegeProgram:

• Numberoffishermen,seafoodprocessingoraquacultureindustrypersonnelwhomodifytheirpracticesusingknowledgegainedinfisheriessustainabilityandseafoodsafetyasaresultofSeaGrantactivities.

ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NorthCarolina’sfuturereliesonthenation’sabilitytomakechoicesthatsustainourcoastalandoceanresourcesforthebenefitofcommunities,economiesandecosystems.Byengagingwiththepublic,NorthCarolinaSeaGrantfostersanenvironmentallyliteratepublicthatunderstands,appreciatesandconsidersthehealthandsustainabilityofourcoastalandoceanresources.Weengageawidediversityofparticipantsandrecipientsforourenvironmentalliteracyandworkforcedevelopmentefforts,aswerecognizethatpreserving,protectingandmanagingourstate’scoastalresourcesinvolveeveryonelivinginandvisitingNorthCarolina.Wewillcontinuetobroadenourprogram’sreachtopiedmontandmountainaudiences,andvisitorstoourcoast.Ourteamworkswithpartnerstodevelopeducationalprogramsforadiversityoflearnersfromyoungstudentstocontinuingeducationparticipantsandlifetimelearners.Wewillcontinueoureducationinvestments,inandoutoftheclassroom,byprovidingaccesstotalentededucators,skill-buildingexperiences,career-enhancingopportunities


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andtailorededucationalproducts.Withthoseefforts,wewillhelpdevelopcommunitiesandaworkforceskilledinscience,technology,engineering,artsandmathematics—alsoknownasSTEAM—tounderstandandsolvecomplexcoastal-andocean-resourceissues,andthushelptopositionNorthCarolinatocompeteeconomicallyataglobalscale.Fosteringaspectrumofcommunicationsandengagementamongabreadthofeducationalprofessionalsandnumerousstakeholders,includingleadersingovernment,businessandcommunityorganizations,willensureeffectiveinformationsharing.Outreachprovidessupportneededforconsensusbuildingandalsoencouragesinformeddecisionmakingthatconsidersabalanceofeconomicandenvironmentalpriorities.NorthCarolinaSeaGrantwillcontinuetosupportexistingpartnershipsandseeknewavenuesandpartnerstostrengtheneducationalinvestments,withattentiontothoseservingtraditionallyunderrepresentedgroupsacrossthecoastalregion,state,andnation. Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development Goal 1 Anenvironmentallyliteratepublic,electedofficials,environmentalinfluencers,anddecisionmakersunderstand,appreciate,andconsiderthehealthandsustainabilityofourcoastalwatersheds,innerandoutercoastlines,andnear-shoreoceanresourcesintheiractivities. Outcomes

• Expandedaccesstoup-to-datecoastalandoceanresearch,extensionandenvironmentaleducationalmaterialsisincreasedthrougharangeofNorthCarolinaSeaGrantoutreachproducts(e.g.,Coastwatchmagazine,newsletters,andprint,videoandonlineproducts)thataredeveloped,oradapted,andregularlyusedaseducationmaterialsformultipleaudiencesinhomes,classrooms,informaleducationfacilities,festivalsandotherlocations.

• User-definedworkshopcontent(e.g.presentations,trainings)andcontinuingeducationprogramsaredevelopedanddisseminatedincollaborationwithformalandinformaleducationfacilities,andcoastalindustries.Materialsarearchivedforfutureaccess.

• Outreachprogramsaredevelopedtoexpandourreachtonewanddiverseaudiences,includingpiedmontandmountainregions,underservedcommunities,andcoastalbusinessesandindustry.

• Localandstateofficialsandpolicymakersareengaged,withappropriatepartners,throughtargetedprogrammingandcommunicationplatforms,todiscussandbuildgreaterunderstandingofscientificinformation;toprovidelawandpolicybriefings;andtoshareavailabletoolstosupportdecisionmakingthatincorporatessocial,environmentalandeconomicconsiderations.


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Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development Goal 2 EducatorsinK-12settingsandlessformaleducationalsettingshaveaccesstoresourcesandtrainingtobringcoastalscience,policy,andhistorytofuturegenerations.Outcomes

• Curriculaaredevelopedandworkshopsandtrainingsdelivered(e.g.trainthetrainer)thatwillequipeducatorswithtoolstobuildenvironmentalliteracyinclassrooms,forat-homeanddistance-learninglocations,andwithotheraudiences.Thosematerialsarearchivedforrecurringaccess.

• AneducationaladvisorygroupisestablishedtoinformthedirectionofNorthCarolinaSeaGrant’seducationalprogrammingaswellastoevaluateuseandutilitybystakeholdergroupstoensureongoingadaptationstochangingneedsandrequirements.

• Local,state,regionalandnationaleducationalorganizationspartnerwithNorthCarolinaSeaGranttoutilizeeducationalproducts,thusmagnifyingtheeffectivenessandreachofeducationalproductsandactivities.

• Hands-onandremote-learningresearchexperiences,andadditionalinteractionswithinvestigatorsandgraduatestudents,aredevelopedforteachersandstudentsacrossthestate.

• Currentandemergingdistance-educationtechnologyisexploredanddevelopedtobroadenthereachofeducationaltrainingacrossmultipleaudiencesthroughoutthestate,including,butnotlimitedtocolleges,communitycolleges,andK-12schoolsthatserveunderrepresentedgroups.

Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development Goal 3 Thenextgenerationofcoastalandoceanprofessionalshavescientificandtechnicalskillsandthebusinessacumenneededtosolvecomplexresourceproblems,supportarobustcoastaleconomy,andcompeteglobally.Outcomes

• Opportunitiesforinterdisciplinaryfellowshipsandresearchexperiencesforundergraduateandgraduatestudentsareexpandedasaresultofpartnershipswithdiverseinstitutionsandorganizationsacrossthestate,regionandnation.

• Agreaterpoolofgraduateandundergraduatestudentswhorepresentabreadthofdiversity(e.g.gender,raceandethnicity)areawareof,andapplyto,ourprogram’sresearchfundingandoutreachopportunities.

• Professionaltrainingandretrainingopportunitiesforstudentsandadult


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learnersaredevelopedanddeliveredtostrengthenemployabilityandopportunitiesforleadershiprolesaftergraduation(e.g.communications,grantwritingandinterviewskills).

• Industryandbusinesspartnersexpandexisting,ordevelopnew,professionalinternprogramstosupporttechnicaltrainingandemploymentpipelinesforcurrentandpost-graduatestudentsatvariouslevels—highschool,communitycollegesanduniversities.

• ProfessionalsreceiveorrenewprofessionallicensesandcertificatesasaresultofNorthCarolinaSeaGranteducationandoutreachprogramming.

ThesegoalsandoutcomescorrespondwithperformancemeasuresoftheNationalSeaGrantCollegeProgram:

• NumberofSeaGrantproductsthatareusedtoadvanceenvironmentalliteracyandworkforcedevelopment.

• NumberofpeopleengagedinSeaGrant-supportedinformaleducationprograms.

• NumberofSeaGrant-supportedgraduateswhobecomeemployedinajobrelatedtotheirdegreewithintwoyearsofgraduation.

CROSS-CUTTING IMPACTS NorthCarolinaSeaGrant’sintegratedresearchandoutreachprogramsaredesignedtobecross-cuttingandaddressmultiplestatefocusareas,goalsandoutcomesaswellasthenationalperformancemeasuresidentifiedbytheNationalSeaGrantCollegeProgram.Inadditiontothenationalperformancemetricsincludedwithinspecificfocusareasdescribedabove,NorthCarolinaSeaGrant’sresearchandoutreachprogrammingwilladdresstwoadditionalperformancemeasuresoftheNationalSeaGrantCollegeProgram:

• NumberofSeaGranttools,technologiesandinformationservicesthatareusedbyourpartners/customerstoimproveecosystem-basedmanagement.

• EconomicandsocietalimpactsderivedfromSeaGrantactivities(marketandnon-market;jobsandbusinessescreatedorsustained).

CONCLUSION NorthCarolinaSeaGrantiscommittedtoprovidingtimelyresearchregardingcoastalresourcesandpolicy,aswellasdisseminationofresearchresults,products,toolsandtechnologiestomultiplestakeholders,includingbutnotlimitedtostateandlocaldecisionmakers,industrypractitioners,communityleadersandthepublic.Ourprogramhasatraditionofengagingwith—andwillbroadenourcollaborationswith—diversepartnersacrossthestate,regionandnationsothatNorthCarolina’scommunities,ecosystemsandeconomieswillthrivenowandintothefuture.


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Our Team NorthCarolinaSeaGrantisheadquarteredinRaleigh,onthecampusofNorthCarolinaStateUniversity.Inaddition,wehaveextensionofficesatEastCarolinaUniversity’sCoastalStudiesInstituteinManteo,theNorthCarolinaStateCenterforMarineSciencesandTechnologyinMoreheadCity,andUniversityofNorthCarolinaWilmington’sCenterforMarineScience.

RaleighMaryBethBarrow,FiscalOfficerLeeCannon,CommunicationsSpecialistBarbaraDoll,WaterProtectionandRestorationSpecialistJohnFear,DeputyDirectorJaneHarrison,CoastalEconomicsSpecialistJulieLeibach,ScienceWriter/DigitalContentSpecialistFrankLópez,ExtensionDirectorDebraLynch,AdministrativeSupportSpecialistAnnaMartin,ProgramCoordinatorKatieMosher,CommunicationsDirectorChristyPerrin,SustainableWatersandCommunitiesCoordinatorGloriaPutnam,CoastalResourcesandCommunitiesSpecialistDaveShaw,Editor/ScienceWriterSarahSpiegler,CoastalResilienceSpecialistSusanWhite,ExecutiveDirectorNicoleWilkinsonMcIntosh,CoordinatorforResearchandOutreach

ManteoTerriKirbyHathaway,MarineEducationSpecialistSaraMirabilio,FisheriesSpecialist

MoreheadCityEricHerbst,CoastalAquacultureSpecialistBarryNash,SeafoodTechnologyandMarketingSpecialistBryanSnyder,MaricultureExtensionAssociate

WilmingtonM.ScottBaker,Jr.,FisheriesSpecialistSpencerRogers,CoastalConstructionandErosionSpecialist


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Contact Us VisitNCSeaGrant.org

Raleigh

NorthCarolinaSeaGrantNCStateUniversityCampusBox8605

Raleigh,NC27695-8605

Phone:919-515-2454

Manteo

NorthCarolinaSeaGrantEastCarolinaUniversity’sCoastalStudiesInstitute

P.O.Box699Manteo,NC27954

MoreheadCity

NorthCarolinaSeaGrantNCStateCenterforMarineSciencesandTechnology

303CollegeCircleMoreheadCity,NC28557

Wilmington

NorthCarolinaSeaGrantUNC-WCenterforMarineScience

5600MarvinK.MossLaneWilmington,NC28409

Formoreinformation,emailKatieMosher:[email protected].

strategic plan 2018 2023 - ncseagrant.ncsu.edu

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