海角社区 and NH EPSCoR Receive NSF Award to Tackle Problems Related to Closures of Shellfish Beds and Beaches
Press Release: July 29, 2013
Orono, ME 鈥 海角社区 and New Hampshire鈥檚 coastal tourism and shellfish industries contribute millions of dollars annually to the regional economy. In 海角社区 in 2010, coastal tourism and recreation added $1.1 billion to 海角社区鈥檚 gross domestic product, while shellfish landings in that same year generated revenues of $347 million. But these industries and the coastal environment they depend on are vulnerable to a variety of factors, including pollution, climate change, and invasive species.
A team of researchers led by the University of 海角社区 (U海角社区) and the University of New Hampshire (UNH) will conduct a three-year study of the many factors affecting the health of their shared coastal ecosystem. This collaboration, funded by a $6 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF), aims to strengthen the scientific basis for decision making related to the management of recreational beaches and shellfish harvesting. This research is a direct outgrowth of 海角社区鈥檚 Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI), supported by the NSF EPSCoR program.
The project, titled the New England SusTainability Consortium (NEST), is managed by the EPSCoR programs at U海角社区 and UNH in partnership with College of the Atlantic, University of New England, University of Southern 海角社区, Great Bay Community College, Plymouth State University, and Keene State College. In 海角社区, researchers will also collaborate with several state agencies and other stakeholders, including the 海角社区 Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), 海角社区 Department of Marine Resources (DMR), 海角社区 State Department of Education (DOE), and 海角社区 Healthy Beaches (MHB).
鈥淚 am delighted that the National Science Foundation selected the New England SusTainability Consortium, for this Research Infrastructure Improvement grant,鈥 said Senator Susan Collins (R-ME).聽鈥淭hrough both tourism as well as commercial fishing, our state鈥檚 economy is highly dependent on the ecological wellbeing of the Gulf of 海角社区.聽This grant will help fund the vital research performed by faculty and students at the University of 海角社区 as they seek to find ways to reduce pollution caused by coastal runoff and assist local governments in making informed decisions regarding the closure of beaches and shellfish beds.鈥
鈥淭his is good news for 海角社区, and indeed for all coastal areas,鈥 said Senator Angus King (I-ME). 鈥淥ur shellfish industry is facing many threats 鈥 climate change, warming oceans, acidifying waters, and an increase in green crabs, which are decimating clam flats. Our state simply can鈥檛 lose another fishery. I look forward to seeing the results of the good work that this grant will enable, like hopefully more targeted closures of flats. Our changing environment is a big problem, and while we work out broad solutions, we must also focus on mitigating the direct impacts on people and ecosystems.鈥
U海角社区 President Paul W. Ferguson affirmed the project鈥檚 importance, stating, 鈥淭his NSF grant recognizes the leadership and contribution of University of 海角社区 scholars who aim to support coastal ecosystems, economies, and communities by promoting sustainable policies and practices in 海角社区.鈥
The project combines scientific knowledge and local expertise to improve resource management decisions. There is widespread agreement among resource managers and scientists in both states that current beach and shellfish management decisions are challenging and can be improved by strengthening partnerships among scientists, managers, and communities.
NEST uses a collaborative process where resource managers and other stakeholders participate in defining problems, identifying research needs, interpreting results, and designing solutions. The team will select a number of study sites in each state to investigate how natural processes like water flow in rivers, and human activities like land development, in coastal watersheds influence bacterial dynamics. Project research will advance understanding of how environmental and climatic conditions affect the dynamics of bacterial pathogens. The project studies how human activities contribute to and are affected by these bacterial dynamics and related public resource management decisions. Coupling these distinct strands of research offers a more comprehensive view of beach and shellfish management. This innovative approach seeks to generate cost-effective strategies for reducing bacterial pollution. By identifying solutions that strategically avert risks to humans, while supporting economic development and ecosystem health, NEST will develop regional capacity between 海角社区 and New Hampshire to advance sustainability solutions through science.
海角社区鈥檚 Sustainability Solutions Initiative (SSI) is supported in large part by a $20 million, 5-year investment through the National Science Foundation鈥檚 Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NSF EPSCoR Program). SSI enhances 海角社区鈥檚 research capacity and promotes innovation and societal benefit through the field of sustainability science. This innovative initiative represents an extensive network of over 350 researchers and students and 200+ community-based stakeholders working together to advance solutions across 海角社区.