Outreach & Extension: Coastal Communities & Economies

From oceanfront homeowners to farmers, watermen to boat sellers, the Chesapeake Bay area is a mosaic of diverse communities united by their connection to the water. These coastal communities are experiencing rapid and often unanticipated change as the result of development and growth.

In response to such issues as population growth, development, and tourism in coastal communities, the Maryland Sea Grant Extension Program’s Coastal Communities & Economies focus team assists coastal communities in their efforts to protect environmental resources, improve quality of life, and strengthen their economies. This endeavor is part of a broader effort by the Coastal Community and Economies program within NOAA’s national Sea Grant Extension Program.

Maryland Sea Grant Extension’s role is two-fold. First, it aims to coordinate experts on coastal growth and development issues from local state agencies, non-profit organizations and universities to foster partnership and collaboration with communities as they prepare for, adapt to or confront change. Second, Maryland Sea Grant works with Bay-related industries, such as seafood processing and recreational boating, to boost the economic vitality of these sectors. Sea Grant conducts economic analyses, improves technologies, and provides information to processors and consumers about health and safety standards.

Through its Coastal Communities & Economies Extension Program, Maryland Sea Grant seeks to promote innovative tools that encourage successful community-based environmental protection and sustainable development in the following areas:

Coastal Land Use
Fisheries & Seafood Business
Seafood Technology
Boating & Marine Recreation