Year in Review

2025

2025 was an exciting year for Delaware Sea Grant. Our program continued to produce significant impacts through our research, extension, education and outreach programs across the state. This work resulted in more than $16 million in economic benefits for Delaware residents, which is a 7:1 return on the federal, state and University funding received. We are looking forward to 2026 and hope you enjoy reading more about our 2025 accomplishments!

Sussex County >

Overhead view of DESG partners sorting widgeon grass seed

SUPPORT FOR DELAWARE SEA GRANT

Delaware Sea Grant plays a vital role in advancing coastal science, supporting local communities, and promoting sustainable economic development throughout our state and region.

From protecting our coastlines and improving water quality to supporting the seafood industry and training the next generation of marine scientists, Delaware Sea Grant's work has a direct and meaningful impact. Continued federal funding is essential to maintaining these efforts and expanding our reach.

Your voice is needed! Add your name to a sign-on letter urging Congress to maintain strong support for Delaware Sea Grant. By signing the letter of support, you’ll help ensure that Delaware remains a leader in coastal research, resilience and innovation.

Sign the letter of support for DESG >

STATEWIDE IMPACTS

Delaware Sea Grant began initial steps to make FloodVision®, a tool that generates photorealistic visualizations of flood risks, available to municipalities across the state. FloodVision® shows existing infrastructure, such as municipal facilities, downtown areas or historic buildings, under different inundation scenarios, such as hurricanes of different magnitude. Visualizations help the public understand risk and support risk assessments, infrastructure upgrades and evacuation planning.

At left: Representatives, including those from Sussex County, the Town of Milton, and Delaware Sea Grant, came together at a kickoff event for FloodVision, which creates augmented reality images of flooding scenarios at the individual structure-level.

Delaware Sea Grant is a founding member of the Delaware Statewide Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Workgroup, which in 2025 facilitated the establishment of a new submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) facility, hosted by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, to advance SAV restoration, research and outreach statewide. The facility can process both freshwater and saltwater species and supports research on how light, salinity and temperature influence germination.

Research translation workshop

Delaware Sea Grant helped facilitate a two-day research translation workshop to help participants connect their research to local and statewide environmental issues. The workshop included panels of state legislators and professionals in environmental careers. A second workshop will be offered in 2026.

Pictured, front row (left to right): Senator Russ Huxtable, Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, and Rep. Sophie Phillips. Back row: Chris Petrone and Andrew Wozniak

NEW CASTLE COUNTY

Improperly discarded waste, such as plastic packaging (i.e., litter), is a significant challenge across Delaware. Litter clogs storm drains, which intensifies flooding, and can degrade into microplastics, which enter aquatic and terrestrial food webs. In 2025, Delaware Sea Grant formed an Anti-Litter Task Force for the Route 9 Corridor. The Task Force, consisting of local residents and partners, is working to identify geographic hotspots for litter, increase awareness and plan for action. Delaware Sea Grant also supported the Collins Park community-led cleanout, which resulted in the disposal of 8.69 tons of waste in 2025.

Delaware Sea Grant also supported the City of Wilmington Green Jobs Program. Thirteen Wilmington high school students took part in a research cruise aboard the University of Delaware research vessel (R/V) Joanne Daiber, where they learned about marine science careers and participated in hands-on research on the Delaware Bay.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
Plastic waste in the Delaware Bay

With funding from Delaware Sea Grant, researchers used GIS tools with census and landfill data to identify potential sources of plastic waste to the Delaware Bay and develop mitigation strategies. The study showed that Delawareans generate more than 365 lbs. of plastic waste per person each year; more than 5 lbs. of plastic waste per person ends up in the Delaware Bay annually.

KENT COUNTY

Delaware Sea Grant helped plan and moderate the annual Summit of the Resilient And Sustainable Communities League (RASCL), held at the DelTech-Terry Campus in Dover. The RASCL Summit is the state’s largest conference devoted to helping Delaware communities thrive under changing environmental conditions, and provides a forum for information-sharing, networking and resource optimization. The Summit featured the Governor of Delaware along with inspiring presentations on local resilience success stories.

Pictured: Delaware Sea Grant’s Danielle Swallow assisted with planning and implementing the annual RASCL Summit.

DelTech student interns assist with construction of a subtidal oyster reef in the Delaware Inland Bays, gaining valuable experience in environmental construction.

In 2025, Delaware Sea Grant also continued its successful partnership with Delaware Technical Community College to offer a green infrastructure job and skills training program. Across five years, the program has provided training to 63 students, with an annual cohort of approximately 12 students. The program draws participants from the entire state, with more than 40% coming from Kent County over the history of the program.

Pictured: DelTech student interns assist with construction of a subtidal oyster reef in the Delaware Inland Bays, gaining valuable experience in environmental construction.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
"Forever chemicals"

PFAS are “forever chemicals” that have been used in a variety of commercial and consumer products. Prior Delaware Sea Grant research demonstrated the prevalence of PFAS in Delaware Bay resources, including fish, with hotspots along the St. Jones River near Dover. Now, with additional funding from Delaware Sea Grant, researchers are investigating whether Delaware’s recreational anglers face health risks from consuming self-caught fish. This research has included angler surveys across the state, including at Kent County’s Scotton Landing and Woodland Beach Pier.

SUSSEX COUNTY

In 2025, Delaware Sea Grant facilitated a public/private partnership between the Laurel Redevelopment Corporation and Nally Ventures to construct a 28-unit duplex-style subdivision named “The Promenade” in the historic town of Laurel. Home pricing in The Promenade is consistent with the area’s median income to ensure affordable, owner-occupied housing for local residents. The project is also expected to stimulate economic growth, attract new businesses and enhance quality of life.

Pictured: Architectural renderings of affordable housing options in Laurel, Delaware.

Delaware Sea Grant, in partnership with Southern Delaware Tourism, also organized the second annual Inland Bays Oyster Week to promote the state’s emerging oyster aquaculture industry. The event included excursions, lectures, hatchery tours, an art workshop and “Meet the Grower” events. Inland Bays Oyster Week raises awareness about the environmental benefits of oyster farming and builds brand recognition for local growers.

Pictured: Delaware Inland Bays oyster growers show off their product during Inland Bays Oyster Week.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
Local codes and ordinances

Delaware Sea Grant-funded researchers are evaluating whether local codes and ordinances, development decisions and site management practices that guide residential development in the Delaware Inland Bays watershed are advancing statewide goals for sustainability. Researchers are evaluating existing documents; interviewing state and local planners, elected officials, and developers; and surveying residents. This work is intended to increase awareness and improve participation in planning decisions.