NA24OARX417C0150

South Carolina's coast is home to 2,876 miles of tidal shoreline, 165 linear miles of beaches, and 504,000 acres of salt marsh (which comprises approximately 20% of the entire Atlantic coast's total), as well as another 500,000 acres of tidal swamp forest though the coastal watersheds extend far beyond.

The 2020 U.S. Census shows ~1.5 million residents in the eight NOAA coastal counties with over 25 million visitors just in the counties of Horry and Charleston. (VisitMyrtleBeach.com/PreservationSociety.org). Visitors in South Carolina's coastal counties spent over $10 billion in 2019. Commercial fishery dockside revenue in the state was ~$25 million in 2022.

South Carolina's coastal ecosystems provide valuable non-market ecosystem service benefits including over $3.8 billion in coastal protection value and over $40 million in carbon storage value every year (USFWS, 2018; Sun and Carson, 2020; Gorstein, 2020).

This plan implements the Sea Grant College Program through the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, a state agency with nine member institutions, including universities and colleges and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. The Consortium generates and provides science-based information on issues and opportunities to improve the social and economic well-being of coastal residents while ensuring the optimal use and conservation of marine and coastal natural resources.

This is accomplished through a strategic plan, guided by the current research and information needs of all of our stakeholders, residents, businesses, local and state government, and other organizations. The strategic plan outlines priorities in five focus areas: Healthy Coastal Ecosystems, Sustainable Coastal Development and Economy, Weather and Climate Resilience, Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Scientific Literacy and Workforce Development.

We work with our Consortium members and stakeholders to achieve solutions and maximize opportunities. To accomplish the mission, the Consortium administers: a research program that provides a better understanding of complex issues and also identifies and tests strategies to solve programs; an extension program that engages businesses, organizations, state and local government, and residents to understand their needs so that we responsively and inclusively not only share science and knowledge but help them understand how to best use it; a communications program that supports all aspects of the Consortium's work and also engages a larger audience and provides context for coastal living through our Coastal Heritage Magazine; as well as fellowships and internships that provide the experience needed to develop future researchers, ocean science professionals, and decision-makers.

The Consortium engages businesses, organizations, state and local government, and residents to understand their needs so that we responsively and inclusively not only share science and knowledge but help them understand how to best use it. The Consortium strives to include small communities, organizations, and businesses that are unaware of the assistance available, often under-resourced communities.

The Consortium engages diverse cultural communities through partnerships and activities to bring a full range of perspectives to issues and to provide solution-oriented information that is equitable to all residents and visitors in the state. The Consortium activities include peer-reviewed and competitive research and education opportunities to Consortium faculty as well as other organizations and educational institutions in the states.

Purposeful engagement with the beneficiaries sets the need for projects and the Consortium runs a biennial research competition, program development opportunities, and other opportunities as funds are available in addition to supporting undergraduate and graduate scholars and interns. Seven research projects that address the focus areas of the strategic plan are included in this proposal.

S C Sea Grant Consortium

TO SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF MAJOR UNIVERSITY CENTERS FOR MARINE RESOURCES RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING AND TO SUPPORT MARINE ADVISORY SERVICES. SOME INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS IN THESE SAME AREAS ALSO RECEIVE FUNDING.

11.417 - Sea Grant Support

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) [DOC]

Charleston, South Carolina 294011514 United States

Single Zip Code

NOAA-OAR-SG-2024-23187

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 76% from $2,509,173 to $4,413,906.