Chapter VII 



ADVANCING THE SEA GRANT PROGRAM' 



During the coming decade, our ability to develop marine resources and 

 wisely manage the marine environment will depend upon the availability of 

 trained manpo\ver, facilities, and equipment to conduct programs of creative 

 research in the fields of marine science, engineering, and related disciplines. 

 With a view to meeting these requirements, the Congress in October of 

 1966 passed Public Law 89-688, the National Sea Grant College and Pro- 

 gram Act of 1966 (app. B~3) . It was the intent of the Act to provide a broad 

 and flexible mechanism with which to stimulate human endeavors in fields 

 oriented toward : development and utilization of the physical, chemical, and 

 biological resources of the marine environment; legal, economic, medical, 

 and sociological aspects of resource management, use, and conservation; 

 oceanography in its broadest sense; and marine commerce and engineering. 



Statutory responsibility for administering the Sea Grant Program was given 

 to the National Science Foundation and included ( 1 ) establishment of edu- 

 cational and training programs at colleges and universities, marine institutes 

 and other public and private agencies in the various fields of marine re- 

 source development; (2) initiation and support of research programs in those 

 fields, with particular emphasis on applied research; and (3) encourage- 

 ment and sponsorship of marine-oriented extension and advisory services. 



The Structure of the Program 



Provisions of the enabling legislation, which calls for Federal support of 

 both "Sea Grant colleges" and "Sea Grant programs," have resulted in the 

 establishment by the National Science Foundation of two major operational 

 program elements: the "Institutional support program" and the "Project 

 support program." 



Sea Grant institutional support is provided to institutions which plan and 

 operate broad-based, multidisciplinary marine resources programs that in- 

 clude research, education, and advisory services — and which draw on the 

 talents of economists, sociologists, political scientists, lawyers and educators 

 as well as natural scientists and engineers. The institutions selected are ex- 

 pected to develop strong liaison with State and local governments and 

 thereby provide leadership and scientific and technological resources for 

 marine activities within their regions. 



Sea Grant project support is available to qualified investigators for a 

 single, well-defined research, study, design, education, advisory service, or 

 training activity consistent with board Sea Grant objectives, and ^vhich in- 



^ This chapter is in compliance with Public Law 89-688, sec. 205, which requires 

 an annual report to the Congress by the Marine Sciences Council on its advisory 

 activities and recommendations, as assigned under that section, with respect to Sea 

 Grant policies, procedures, and operations. 



97 



Under the Texas A&M Sea Grant, university scientists 

 investigate the cultivation of shrimp under controlled 

 environmental conditions. 



