Dear Wisconsin congressional delegation:
We, the undersigned constituents from Wisconsin, are writing to urge your support for federal funding for the Sea Grant Program in fiscal year (FY) 2026. Sea Grant is funded in the Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) appropriations bill and is in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Operations, Research, and Facilities (ORF) Account within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR).
As one of the 34 Sea Grant programs, each year Wisconsin receives a portion of the annual appropriation to Sea Grant. The Wisconsin Sea Grant Program partners with local, state, regional, and national organizations to meet the legally required match of $1 dollar for every $2 federal dollars, which increases the impact of every federal dollar.
This money is invested in Sea Grant staff and their work in communities right here in the state. For example, Wisconsin fishing industry representatives reached out to Wisconsin Sea Grant for help addressing a negative sustainability rating for Great Lakes fish roe (eggs or caviar) by the World Wildlife Fund, which stopped roe distribution in Sweden. The Great Lakes roe industry has an estimated economic value of $15 million. An estimated 100 U.S. commercial fishers are impacted economically by changes in the Great Lakes roe industry. Over the course of two years, we provided the Swedish Seafood Forum, which includes members of seafood rating organizations, with sustainability information. Our efforts resulted in the World Wildlife Fund changing its rating for Wisconsin’s Lake Superior whitefish and cisco commercial harvest from “avoid” to “best choice,” and the $15 million in sales resumed.
The Wisconsin Clean Marina Program is another way industry benefits from Sea Grant programs. This statewide program provides critical information and technical assistance to Wisconsin’s marine industry to promote clean and safe waterways. Wisconsin has an estimated 149 marina businesses, which account for over $310 million in economic activity. Of those, 26 are certified through our program to have met federal and state pollution and safety laws and another 18 are pursuing certification. In a survey, clean marinas noted increased business due to certification.
Another Sea Grant program helps flood-prone communities become more resilient. Several communities in the Lake Michigan Watershed, particularly along the East River, have seen repeated flooding and extensive property damage recently. A team of Wisconsin Sea Grant outreach specialists addressed local flooding concerns through tool sharing, field trips, e-newsletters, meetings and webinars. They developed a new tool in conjunction with local officials: an East River Interactive Flood Map. Officials are using the map to view and compare the impacts of different flooding scenarios in the East River Watershed. Grants from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and the Fund for Lake Michigan will help the specialists develop a survey and gather feedback from the community. The goal is to bring those perspectives to the table when municipalities start planning projects.
As constituents and beneficiaries of Wisconsin’s Sea Grant Program, we cannot overstate the value that Sea Grant has brought to our state for 57 years. In addition, coastal communities around the country are protected and supported thanks to the Sea Grant national network’s important activities around resilient communities and economies, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, healthy coastal ecosystems, environmental literacy, and workforce development. I respectfully request you support funding the Sea Grant Program in FY 2026 appropriations.
Thank you for your consideration, and please reach out if we can be of further assistance.
Respectfully,
