Fisheries Extension Network

Sea Grant is a national network of 33 university-based programs.  For more information on Sea Grant or the program near you, please visit https://seagrant.noaa.gov/.  Below is more information on our network.

Fisheries Extension Network Council

Mission – To foster efficient communication and collaboration among Sea Grant Fisheries Extension Specialists, Program Leaders, and the National Sea Grant Office, that will enhance existing programming, support new initiatives, and improve the capacity of Sea Grant to respond effectively to challenges facing sustainable and responsible resource stewardship of our nation’s wild fisheries and aquaculture industries.

Supporting statement –Ultimately, this initiative will provide critical outcomes for both fishing communities and Sea Grant in an increasingly competitive funding environment with many disparate and often competing entities.  The Council will aim to support activities that will help realize the full potential of the Sea Grant Network while raising Sea Grant’s value in fishing communities, nationally, and within NOAA.   The FEN views ‘Fisheries’ such that it includes all users – commercial fishers, for-hire charter / head boat operators, recreational anglers, those involved in aquaculture ventures, and seafood producers and consumers.

Current Membership

  • Council Chair 
    • Gabby Bradt – New Hampshire Sea Grant
  • National Office Representative  
    • Charles Weirich and Mark Rath – National Sea Grant Office
  • Assembly Liaison
    • Bryan Fluech – Georgia Sea Grant
  • Directors Liaison  
    • Julie Lively – Louisiana Sea Grant
  • Regional Council Members
    • New England
      • Dana Morse – Maine Sea Grant
    • Mid-Atlantic
      • Sara Mirabilio – North Carolina Sea Grant
    • South Atlantic
      • Bryan Fluech – Georgia Sea Grant
      • Shelly Krueger – Florida Sea Grant
    • Gulf of Mexico
      • Angela Collins – Florida Sea Grant
      • Laura Picariello & Alexis Sabine – Texas Sea Grant
    • Caribbean
      • Edgardo Ojeda – Puerto Rico Sea Grant
    • Great Lakes
      • Titus Seilheimer – Wisconsin Sea Grant
    • Alaska
      • Gabe Dunham – Alaska Sea Grant
    • Eastern Pacific
      • Theresa Talley – California Sea Grant 
      • Amanda Gladics – Oregon Sea Grant
    • Western Pacific
      • Kelley Anderson Tagarino – Hawaii Sea Grant
      • Kai Fox – Hawaii Sea Grant

Outcomes

  • Enhanced capacity of SG to respond to stakeholder needs, including the NSGO and NOAA Fisheries/Aquaculture
  • Improved connection between members of the SG Fisheries Extension Network
  • Improved connection between Seafood Focus Team and Fisheries Extension Network
  • Collaborative, regional and national proposals and programming that aligns with National Sea Grant focus areas

Proposed Activities

  • 4 meetings/year (web meetings)
    • Emerging issues, rapid response meetings as needed
  • Face-to-face meeting (Council) at relevant existing conferences and meetings
  • Find funding, organize a Face-to-face meeting for all of FEN every 2 to 3 years
  • Host Webinars focusing on issues, programming of interest – 6 per year
  • Maintain and use FEN list serve
  • Convene Discussion groups as issues dictate
  • Assist in Proposal development where appropriate
  • Provide Responses, written or otherwise at the requests from The National Office
  • Institute regular communications with NOAA Fisheries and the NOAA Office of Aquaculture