AN ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT NOAA SEA GRANT EXTENSION CAPACITY AND IDEAS ON MEETING THE EXTENSION NEEDS OF AN EXPANDED INDUSTRY

For nearly 50 years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program (NSGCP) has supported the development of sustainable marine and Great Lakes aquaculture businesses through the funding of competitive research projects. The primary means of extending the research findings to the aquaculture industry is through Land Grant and Sea Grant extension services. Based on recent federal appropriations, Sea Grant will likely invest more than $120 million in aquaculture research, extension, outreach and education over the next 10 years. To take full advantage of these resources, Sea Grant will ensure there are enough extension professionals to support technology transfer and applied research for sustainable growth of the marine and Great Lakes aquaculture industry.

In mid-2019, Sea Grant extension personnel and their level of effort were identified for all 34 Sea Grant programs. Sea Grant supports just over 35 full time equivalents (FTEs) spread among 107 aquaculture extension professionals working in every Sea Grant region (Figures 1-2).

An expanded aquaculture industry will place greater demands on existing aquaculture extension personnel. Data with respect to current extension personnel and level of effort provide a baseline from which future staffing decisions can be made. Meaningful discussions among members of the industry, Land Grant and Sea Grant institutions and others with a vested interest in technology transfer should lead to methodical approach to identify extension needs at the state, regional and national levels.