E. Gordon Grau, President, Sea Grant Association and Director, Hawaii Sea Grant

1. Crisis du JourCrisis du Jour
Or! Where is Sea GrantOr! Where is Sea Grant
Going over the Next 20 Years?Going over the Next 20 Years?
E. Gordon GrauE. Gordon Grau
PresidentPresident
Sea Grant AssociationSea Grant Association
New Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana
October, 2010October, 2010
Sea Grant

2. Sea Grant
• How Sea Grant beganHow Sea Grant began
• Changing focus through the yearsChanging focus through the years
• The state of our coasts todayThe state of our coasts today
• Our challengeOur challenge
• A nimble Sea GrantA nimble Sea Grant
• Empowering ourselves for the futureEmpowering ourselves for the future

3. In the beginning, thereIn the beginning, there
was…was…
Sea GrantSea Grant

4. “I'm impatient with the past and irritable
with the present. The future is where my
concern lies, and I'm very optimistic
about it.”
Athelstan Spilhaus
Start with a Notion!

5. Who is Athelstan Frederick Spilhaus?Who is Athelstan Frederick Spilhaus?
•Geophysicist and oceanographer
•Inventor, bathythermograph and Area 51
•Dean, University of Minnesota, Institute of
Technology
•Syndicated newspaper cartoonist
... and the person behind the... and the person behind the
creation of Sea Grantcreation of Sea Grant

6. Athelstan Spilhaus
1963 American Fisheries Society meeting:
““I have suggested theI have suggested the
establishment of ‘sea-grantestablishment of ‘sea-grant
colleges’. . . modernized parallelscolleges’. . . modernized parallels
of the great developments inof the great developments in
agriculture and the mechanic artsagriculture and the mechanic arts
which were occasioned by thewhich were occasioned by the
Land-Grant Act”Land-Grant Act”

7. “…“… must seek through a weldingmust seek through a welding
together oftogether of science, art, literature,science, art, literature,
engineering, medicine, law, publicengineering, medicine, law, public
administration, and politicsadministration, and politics ……
through an integratedthrough an integrated
interdisciplinary education in theinterdisciplinary education in the
Sea Grant Colleges.”Sea Grant Colleges.”
The National Sea Grant College ProgramThe National Sea Grant College Program
The BeginningThe Beginning

8. A Brief History of Sea Grant
1963 - A new idea: Athelstan Spilhaus suggests
the idea of Sea Grant Colleges at a meeting of the
American Fisheries Society
1965 - Sen. Claiborne Pell, RI1965 - Sen. Claiborne Pell, RI
introduces Senate 2439, the Nationalintroduces Senate 2439, the National
Sea-Grant College and Program ActSea-Grant College and Program Act

9. A Brief History of Sea Grant
1965 - Conference on the Concept of a Sea-Grant
University
• sponsored by the University of Rhode Island, John Knauss, Dean,
Graduate School of Oceanography
1966 - Pres. Lyndon Johnson signs the
legislation creating Sea Grant
1968 - 1st
grants awarded and the
National Review Panel established
1970 - NOAA is created; Sea Grant joins1970 - NOAA is created; Sea Grant joins

10. Fish GrantFish Grant
And then there was…And then there was…
Setting the FoundationSetting the Foundation
for Sea Grant's Futurefor Sea Grant's Future

11. The Decade of the ‘70sThe Decade of the ‘70s
• Marine ResourceMarine Resource
DevelopmentDevelopment
• AquacultureAquaculture
• FisheriesFisheries
• Marine Biomedicinals andMarine Biomedicinals and
ExtractsExtracts
• Socioeconomic and LegalSocioeconomic and Legal
ResearchResearch
• Minerals from the SeaMinerals from the Sea
• Marine TechnologyMarine Technology
Research and DevelopmentResearch and Development
• Marine EnvironmentalMarine Environmental
ResearchResearch
• Marine Education andMarine Education and
TrainingTraining
– The ‘70s were marked by a period of growth ...The ‘70s were marked by a period of growth ...
– 14 new Sea Grant College Programs were welcomed14 new Sea Grant College Programs were welcomed
into the programinto the program

12. The Decade of the ’80sThe Decade of the ’80s
• Fostering internationalFostering international
trade competitivenesstrade competitiveness
• Exploring the new realm ofExploring the new realm of
marine biotechnologymarine biotechnology
• Discovering marine naturalDiscovering marine natural
productsproducts
• Developing unmannedDeveloping unmanned
underwater work vehiclesunderwater work vehicles
• Improving trawler efficiencyImproving trawler efficiency
• Advancing aquacultureAdvancing aquaculture
• Introducing new advancesIntroducing new advances
in fishing gear technologyin fishing gear technology
• Upgrading seafood scienceUpgrading seafood science
and technologyand technology
• Investigating parasiticInvestigating parasitic
diseases of shellfishdiseases of shellfish
• Enhancing salmonEnhancing salmon
resourcesresources
• Promoting exports of U.S.Promoting exports of U.S.
fishery productsfishery products
Sea Grant survives a challenge to its very existence

13. 1995 Strategic Plan1995 Strategic Plan
Sea Grant
National
• Advanced Technology for CommercialAdvanced Technology for Commercial
Products and ProcessesProducts and Processes
• Seafood ProductionSeafood Production
• Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development
• Coastal Ecosystem Health and PublicCoastal Ecosystem Health and Public
SafetySafety
• Education and Human ResourcesEducation and Human Resources

14. Sea Grant
1998
• AquacultureAquaculture
• Aquatic NuisanceAquatic Nuisance
SpeciesSpecies
• Coastal EconomicCoastal Economic
DevelopmentDevelopment
• Coastal HabitatCoastal Habitat
EnhancementEnhancement
• Coastal HazardsCoastal Hazards
• EducationEducation
• Marine BiotechnologyMarine Biotechnology
• Seafood TechnologySeafood Technology

15. “A New Understanding"
Most of the problems and challengesMost of the problems and challenges
we face in coastal aquatic habitatswe face in coastal aquatic habitats
and on both sides of the shorelineand on both sides of the shoreline
come from how we live on land ...come from how we live on land ...
It's all about PEOPLE!!It's all about PEOPLE!!
By the turn of the millennium-

16. America’s Coasts TodayAmerica’s Coasts Today
• Wealth of natural resourcesWealth of natural resources
• Diversity of species, habitat types, and nutrientsDiversity of species, habitat types, and nutrients
• Centers of economic activity, waterborne commerce,Centers of economic activity, waterborne commerce,
energy and mineral production, and employmentenergy and mineral production, and employment
• Recreation and tourismRecreation and tourism
• Ironically, the qualities that make them so desirable areIronically, the qualities that make them so desirable are
the very ones that have led to their endangermentthe very ones that have led to their endangerment
• As more people have moved to the coast, the issuesAs more people have moved to the coast, the issues
facing the coastal environment have taken on increasedfacing the coastal environment have taken on increased
urgencyurgency
(Population Trends Along the Coastal United States: 1980-2008, NOAA Report, 2004)

17. • America’s coastal ecosystems are dominated by humanAmerica’s coastal ecosystems are dominated by human
useuse
• America’s coasts are invaluable economic, cultural andAmerica’s coasts are invaluable economic, cultural and
environmental resources that are at riskenvironmental resources that are at risk
• Increased rates of climate-related environmental changesIncreased rates of climate-related environmental changes
have made coastal communities vulnerable in ways neverhave made coastal communities vulnerable in ways never
before imaginedbefore imagined
• America must use its coastal land, water, energy andAmerica must use its coastal land, water, energy and
other natural resources in ways that preserve the healthother natural resources in ways that preserve the health
and productivity of coastal ecosystemsand productivity of coastal ecosystems
America’s CoastsAmerica’s Coasts

18. • Ten of the fifteen largest cities in the U.S. areTen of the fifteen largest cities in the U.S. are
coastalcoastal
• Of the total U.S. population of 307 million, 253Of the total U.S. population of 307 million, 253
million people live in coastal statesmillion people live in coastal states
• By 2003, 153 million people (53 % of the U.S.By 2003, 153 million people (53 % of the U.S.
population) lived in 673 coastal counties, a 28%population) lived in 673 coastal counties, a 28%
increase from 1980increase from 1980
Coastal Economies
Drive the Nation

19. Coastal Economies
Drive the Nation
• Fourteen of America’s 20 busiest airports are
in coastal areas
• Excluding Alaska, coastal counties account
for only 17% of US land area
• Median household income for coastal
counties is approximately 17% higher than
non-coastal counties

20. It’s all about people!!
(Population Trends Along the Coastal United States: 1980-2008, NOAA Report, 2004)
The Population density of Oahu is greater
than 1,500 persons/mile2

21. The Challenge
How do we foster robust, resilient, economically andHow do we foster robust, resilient, economically and
socially inclusive, and vibrant coastal communities thatsocially inclusive, and vibrant coastal communities that
function sustainably within their coastal habitats andfunction sustainably within their coastal habitats and
ecosystems?ecosystems?
.... how do we do this in the face of increased threats.... how do we do this in the face of increased threats
arising from climate change and the growing impacts ofarising from climate change and the growing impacts of
diminishing resources, coastal storms and other naturaldiminishing resources, coastal storms and other natural
hazards, and the human and environmental tragedieshazards, and the human and environmental tragedies
they produce?they produce?

22. A Nimble Sea Grant
• Sea Grant is a very different program todaySea Grant is a very different program today
from that of ten years agofrom that of ten years ago
• In ten years, Sea Grant will not, and cannot,In ten years, Sea Grant will not, and cannot,
be the same program it is todaybe the same program it is today
• How do we ensure that Sea Grant will moveHow do we ensure that Sea Grant will move
nimbly toward addressing both new andnimbly toward addressing both new and
longstanding challenges and opportunities?longstanding challenges and opportunities?

23. Demonstrating Sea Grant’s Nimbleness
• Sea GrantSea Grant continuescontinues to beto be responsive to theresponsive to the
dynamic and increasing challenges to coastaldynamic and increasing challenges to coastal
communities, e.g. Katrina and BPcommunities, e.g. Katrina and BP
• WeWe havehave the tools and capacity to be effectivethe tools and capacity to be effective
"players" in contributing to solutions"players" in contributing to solutions
• The Gulf Coast Programs have demonstratedThe Gulf Coast Programs have demonstrated
that the Sea Grant modelthat the Sea Grant model isis adaptive byadaptive by
designdesign

24. The Future
““I skate to where the puck is going to be, not whereI skate to where the puck is going to be, not where
it has been.” Wayne Gretzkyit has been.” Wayne Gretzky
Where will the puck beWhere will the puck be
in 10 years and howin 10 years and how
can we get there tocan we get there to
meet it and score?meet it and score?

25. Planning is EssentialPlanning is Essential
……I have always found that plans areI have always found that plans are
useless, but planning is indispensable.useless, but planning is indispensable.
Dwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. Eisenhower

26. One Approach: Focus Teams
• Focus Teams were established as a newFocus Teams were established as a new
mechanism to enable Sea Grant to implement themechanism to enable Sea Grant to implement the
national, regional and state plans in an effective,national, regional and state plans in an effective,
coordinated and collective mannercoordinated and collective manner
• Nominations were vetted with the leadership of theNominations were vetted with the leadership of the
National Sea Grant Office and Sea GrantNational Sea Grant Office and Sea Grant
AssociationAssociation
• Focus Teams advise the National Sea GrantFocus Teams advise the National Sea Grant
College Program in developing and accomplishingCollege Program in developing and accomplishing
the goals and strategies outlined in the four focusthe goals and strategies outlined in the four focus
areas of Sea Grant’s strategic planareas of Sea Grant’s strategic plan

27. Sea Grant’s National Strategic Plan
Our National Strategic Planning Process identifiedOur National Strategic Planning Process identified
four focus areas as critically important to thefour focus areas as critically important to the
health and vitality of the nation’s coastal resourceshealth and vitality of the nation’s coastal resources
and communities:and communities:
• Healthy Coastal EcosystemsHealthy Coastal Ecosystems
• Sustainable Coastal DevelopmentSustainable Coastal Development
• Hazard Resilience In Coastal CommunitiesHazard Resilience In Coastal Communities
• Safe and Sustainable Seafood SupplySafe and Sustainable Seafood Supply
How well will these mirror and addressHow well will these mirror and address
coastal issues and opportunities ofcoastal issues and opportunities of
2020?2020?

28. Sea Grant’s Core Values Remain
Integration of research, education and extension is atIntegration of research, education and extension is at
the heart of Sea Grant's missionthe heart of Sea Grant's mission
• Sea Grant builds human resourcesSea Grant builds human resources
Strong partnerships are critically important and include:Strong partnerships are critically important and include:
• Leading research universitiesLeading research universities
• Other NOAA programs, andOther NOAA programs, and
• A wide range of public and private partners at theA wide range of public and private partners at the
federal, state, and local levelsfederal, state, and local levels
Strategic Plans Come and Go

29. Being NimbleBeing Nimble
• Definition: Quick to understand, think and deviseDefinition: Quick to understand, think and devise
(Random House unabridged)(Random House unabridged)
Sea Grant has unique advantages in NOAASea Grant has unique advantages in NOAA
– Sea Grant is “bottom-up” and university basedSea Grant is “bottom-up” and university based
– Integrated with state and local organizationsIntegrated with state and local organizations
– Not structured by regulatory responsibility orNot structured by regulatory responsibility or
discipline, e.g., fisheries, oceans or atmospherediscipline, e.g., fisheries, oceans or atmosphere
– Sea Grant programs collaborate with NOAA officesSea Grant programs collaborate with NOAA offices
and programs, but are not supervised by themand programs, but are not supervised by them

30. A Nimble Sea Grant
• We opportunistically engage NOAA and America’sWe opportunistically engage NOAA and America’s
universitiesuniversities –– the greatest intellectual and scholarlythe greatest intellectual and scholarly
enterprise in human historyenterprise in human history
• We are collaborative, distributed and local by design:We are collaborative, distributed and local by design:
32 separate programs in a unified network32 separate programs in a unified network
• We integrate these resources in:We integrate these resources in:
–ResearchResearch –– new knowledgenew knowledge
–Education – new human resourcesEducation – new human resources
–Outreach – better living along coastsOutreach – better living along coasts

31. Being Nimble
• How many academics does it take to change a lightHow many academics does it take to change a light
bulb?bulb?
• How do we ensure that Sea Grant remains dynamicHow do we ensure that Sea Grant remains dynamic
and nimble in:and nimble in:
–Developing new approaches and capabilitiesDeveloping new approaches and capabilities
–In engaging new partners and stakeholdersIn engaging new partners and stakeholders
–In attracting the best faculty and staffIn attracting the best faculty and staff
–In obtaining funding and other supportIn obtaining funding and other support
• How do we encourage new and creative approachesHow do we encourage new and creative approaches
to coastal sustainability?to coastal sustainability?

32. A Complementary Approach for
Anticipating the Future
• Past experience has shown that inspirationPast experience has shown that inspiration
and enthusiasm bubble to the top!and enthusiasm bubble to the top!
Garage Creativity…

33. What happened here?
367 Addison Ave, Palo Alto, California
Here in this house in 1939, college friendsHere in this house in 1939, college friends
Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard initiated theBill Hewlett and Dave Packard initiated the
path to the largest personal computerpath to the largest personal computer
company, Hewlett-Packard.company, Hewlett-Packard.
2066 Crist Dr, Los Altos, California
Apple Computer, Inc. was born in theApple Computer, Inc. was born in the
company’s CEO Steve Jobs’ parent’scompany’s CEO Steve Jobs’ parent’s
spare bedroom. The room was basicallyspare bedroom. The room was basically
a garage attached to the home.a garage attached to the home.

34. • While the NSGO and Programs were busy doing theWhile the NSGO and Programs were busy doing the
daily business of Sea Grant or dealing with the Crisisdaily business of Sea Grant or dealing with the Crisis
du Jourdu Jour
• Leavening from the NSGO Director…Leavening from the NSGO Director…
• A team of enthusiasts of the CCE and then the SCCD,A team of enthusiasts of the CCE and then the SCCD,
including members from the NSGO, extensionincluding members from the NSGO, extension
specialists and program administrators were self-specialists and program administrators were self-
selecting and visioning future from the bottom upselecting and visioning future from the bottom up
A New Focus!A New Focus!
Sustainable Coastal DevelopmentSustainable Coastal Development
A Case in point:
• Coastal Communities and Economies Theme Team
• Sustainable Coastal Community Development Network

35. How do we institutionalize a think tank
mechanism to ensure creative anticipation?
• Sustainable Coastal Development started withSustainable Coastal Development started with
a notiona notion
• The CCE was self selecting and inclusiveThe CCE was self selecting and inclusive
• EPA “Boot Camp”EPA “Boot Camp”
• Visioning in CharlestonVisioning in Charleston
• CCE white paper team in HonoluluCCE white paper team in Honolulu
• The SCCD Network was formedThe SCCD Network was formed
• SCD became a FocusSCD became a Focus
• The SCD Focus Team was formedThe SCD Focus Team was formed

36. We’ve Seen This Before!!
• Sea Grant started with one person’s notionSea Grant started with one person’s notion
• Nurtured through a grassroots effortNurtured through a grassroots effort
• The partnership model embraced byThe partnership model embraced by
Congress and the AdministrationCongress and the Administration
• Do we know where the next big idea willDo we know where the next big idea will
come from?come from?

37. Two Mechanisms for Anticipating
the Future
• Continuous planning and evaluationContinuous planning and evaluation
–Focus TeamsFocus Teams
• Accessing the entire NetworkAccessing the entire Network
–Ad hocAd hoc exploration of new ideas andexploration of new ideas and
opportunities, e.g., working waterfronts,opportunities, e.g., working waterfronts,
hazards and tourismhazards and tourism
• Move toward the next Strategic PlanMove toward the next Strategic Plan

38. Skating to the puck…
• New ideas from all elements of theNew ideas from all elements of the
NetworkNetwork
• Support opportunities to explore newSupport opportunities to explore new
ideas in workshops/retreatsideas in workshops/retreats
• Encourage and support Network affinityEncourage and support Network affinity
groupsgroups
Let’s Start Today!

39. Thank you!