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Woods Hole Sea Grant in the 21st Century: A Strategic Assessment of Issues and Opportunities is the Woods Hole Sea Grant Program’s plan to address local, regional, and national issues and opportunities over the next several years. The plan identifies marine-related issues of importance, institutional resources, and potential partnerships in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Northeast region of the U.S.

Massachusetts is one of only two states that has a Sea Grant College Program and a Sea Grant Institutional Program. The Sea Grant College Program in Massachusetts is located at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, while the Sea Grant Institution Program is located at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). The two programs coordinate solicitation of research proposals throughout Massachusetts, serve in an advisory capacity to each other’s research review panels and outreach guidance committees, and collaborate wherever possible in extension and outreach activities.

In order to continue a successful history of developing collaborative, interdisciplinary research programs, Woods Hole Sea Grant solicited ideas from its advisory board, the Marine Outreach Guidance Group, as well as coastal scientists, managers, regulators, and business and environmental group representatives throughout the Commonwealth. In developing this plan, consideration was given to scientific merit, degree of community concern, relevance to the National Sea Grant College Program goals, opportunity for inter-agency collaboration, and degree of public benefit. Issues and opportunities were also assessed on the basis of their relevance to other agency goals and strategic plans.

Woods Hole Sea Grant in the 21st Century: A Strategic Assessment of Issues and Opportunities represents the collective concerns of the Massachusetts marine community at all levels. It highlights important marine issues and research needs, suggests investigative approaches, and proposes research-based outreach programs. Perhaps most importantly, this plan serves as a catalyst for creative thinking and identifying new opportunities.

Judith E. McDowell
Director, Woods Hole Sea Grant