April 14, 2025

Dear Partners and Friends of Washington Sea Grant:

One month ago, I shared an update highlighting the benefits that Washington Sea Grant (WSG) continues to bring to Washington state. Since writing that update, WSG underwent a 6-year programmatic review and passed with flying colors: the review committee was quick to see the substantial economic value and excellent service to Washington provided by our program and the outstanding expertise and dedication of our staff and awarded us high marks in all categories.

Even as I drafted my previous update, uncertainties around the continuation of federal funding were emerging. Those uncertainties now have grown significantly, causing concern for the future of our program.

On Friday, April 11, news outlets began reporting on the Trump Administration’s proposal to make deep cuts to NOAA funding, including completely eliminating NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR). OAR is the home of the National Sea Grant Office and all Sea Grant Programs across the nation, including WSG. The Administration’s budget proposal would eliminate the National Sea Grant Office and the base federal funding that each of the 34 state Sea Grant programs across the country receives. 

At this time, the Administration’s proposal is only that: a proposal. The ultimate results of the Congressional budget process remain to be seen. In light of this, I once again feel compelled to remind our community about the strong positive impacts of WSG’s work to coastal economies and livelihoods in Washington, and what would be lost should we lose our federal funding. 

WSG is a non-partisan, state-federal partnership. Federal funding provided through the National Sea Grant Office supports WSG staff in carrying out on-the-ground work on Washington’s Pacific coast and within Puget Sound while also addressing national needs. In 2024, WSG’s annual budget was $10 million, with more than 60% coming from federal sources, including more than $4.4 million from the National Sea Grant Office. WSG has taken steps to diversify its funding sources over the years. At the same time, federal funding remains crucial to its current operations. 

WSG’s work consistently results in impressive figures that show the high impact of our programs. As I shared in my last update, WSG’s work in 2018-2023 brought more than $190 million in services and economic benefits to the state—an impressive return on the federal funds invested in the program and a clear indication of the tangible effects on real lives and livelihoods. 

Beyond the numbers, WSG’s impact comes from the program’s unique and nimble ability to work in collaboration with partners to respond to problems faced by maritime and coastal communities and to craft localized solutions. As a non-regulatory organization positioned at the nexus of state and federal priorities, and with broad, deep, and long-standing relationships with local, regional and national partners, WSG plays an essential role in Washington. Sometimes, WSG’s benefit to Washington’s communities comes from answering important questions through funding new research. Sometimes, it comes from convening partners and stakeholders to bring the necessary array of perspectives and expertise to an issue. Other times, WSG’s impact comes simply from connecting the right people with the right knowledge or resource at exactly the right time. Frequently, WSG’s impact is accomplished by providing direct solutions to emerging challenges.

There are so many program areas that I could highlight to demonstrate the salience of WSG’s work in fostering solutions to some of the most pressing problems that face Washington coastal communities. To name just a few: 

• WSG has provided the research and technical expertise for communities throughout coastal Washington to protect essential infrastructure by planning for future flooding events. 
• Given the critical shortages in the maritime workforce, WSG has supported and organized workforce development programs that are helping to train the next generation. 
• WSG coordinates SoundToxins, a program through which volunteers monitor for harmful algal blooms that can kill shellfish and marine mammals and sicken people when they eat contaminated shellfish. Over time, SoundToxins has grown into a reliable network that consistently collects data vital to management decisions that protect human health
• Given the popularity of boating in Washington, proper disposal of onboard sewage protects human health, businesses, and wildlife.  WSG’s long-standing partnership with Washington State Parks provides the infrastructure, technical outreach and education to ensure boaters properly dispose of their sewage. 

WSG remains committed to continuing to deliver its outstanding programing to Washington state residents. We thank you for joining us in our mission to improve the environment, lives and livelihoods throughout Washington’s coastal communities.

Terrie Klinger
Interim Faculty Director

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Washington Sea Grant, based at the University of Washington, helps people and marine life thrive through research, technical expertise and education supporting the responsible use and conservation of coastal ecosystems. Washington Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in coastal and Great Lakes states that encourage the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, education, outreach and technology transfer.

wsg.uw.edu

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