Oregon Sea Grant

Connecting science and coastal communities

From a lone marine agent, hired by OSU Extension in 1971 to work with Oregon's commercial fishing industry, Oregon Sea Grant's Extension program has grown to a dedicated, highly skilled cadre of specialists, known regionally and nationally for their expertise in engaging coastal stakeholders on topics of critical importance.

Sea Grant Extension faculty, based in coastal communities and on the OSU campus, continue to work on fisheries and seafood - but also take leadership on emerging issues, from marine renewable energy to invasive species.

"A major Sea Grant cross-cutting goal is to help create and enhance an informed and engaged, ocean-literate society that understands the cultural, ecological, and economic value and vulnerabilities of our coast and how our actions may influence the coast. OSG strives to support public and private actors in their decision making. We engage stakeholders in conducting and applying coastal research that meets the needs of our state and region. We also assist communities of interest and communities of place in identifying, co-generating, and using the best available science to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to actual and predicted changes." - Oregon Sea Grant Strategic Plan

Our Extension faculty excel at bringing people together to work on mutual problems and solutions, whether it's enlisting the views and participation of fishermen for marine science projects, helping communities build profiles revealing hidden features of coastal economies, or encouraging local groups to collaborate on disaster planning and response.

People and projects

Program Leader: Dave Hansen

Community Resilience to Coastal Hazards and Climate Change

People:

• Patrick Corcoran, coastal hazards outreach
• Sam Chan, aquatic ecosystems health

Projects and Initiatives:

• Earthquake and Tsunami Preparedness

Coastal Learning and Decision Making

People:

• Flaxen Conway, coastal community outreach
• Jamie Doyle, marine community development
• Jeff Feldner, seafood technology and fisheries
• Dennis Glaze, aquatic animal health and husbandry
• Kaety Hildenbrand, marine fisheries
• Tim Miller-Morgan, aquatic animal health
• Shawn Rowe, free-choice learning (see Education)

Projects and Initiatives:

• Coastal community profiles
• Scientist and Fisherman Exchange

Fisheries and Seafood

People:

• Jamie Doyle, marine community development
• Jeff Feldner, seafood technology and fisheries 
• Guillermo Giannico, freshwater fisheries
• Kaety Hildenbrand, marine fisheries
• David Landkamer, aquaculture
• Tim Miller-Morgan, ornamental fish health
• Mark Whitham, seafood product development

Projects and Initiatives:

• Seafood Consumer Education
• Seafood Product Innovation
• Sustainable Aquaculture

Marine Spatial Planning

People:

• Flaxen Conway, coastal community outreach, marine resource management
• Jamie Doyle, marine community development
• Jeff Feldner, seafood technology and fisheries
• Kaety Hildenbrand, marine fisheries

Projects and Initiatives:

• Marine Renewable Energy
• Regional science planning and marine reserves

Oceans and Human Health

People:

• Sam Chan, aquatic ecosystem health
• Tania Siemens, aquatic invasive species and Clean Vessel education
• Kaety Hildenbrand, marine fisheries

Projects and Initiatives:

• Aquatic Invasive Species 
• Safety at Sea

Watersheds and Water Resources

People:

• Frank Burris, watershed education
• Sam Chan, aquatic ecosystems health
• Guillermo Giannico, watershed restoration
• Megan Kleibacker, watershed education

Projects and Initiatives:

• Watershed Education and Conservation

Learn more

• Extension Sets Sail - Oregon Sea Grant Extension's first 40 years, part of a special OSU Archives exhibit on the 100th anniversary of Extension
• OSU Extension