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Delaware Sea Grant

OUR MISSION

SCIENCE SERVING DELAWARE


Delaware Sea Grant helps Delaware communities wisely use, manage, and conserve our state's valuable coastal resources by fostering sustainable coastal economies, developing resilience to coastal hazards, and preparing the next generation of coastal leaders.

WHAT WE DO

FOCUS AREAS

A group of researchers from CEOE and COE are working on a project looking at how installing living shorelines--specifically, oyster reef habitat--in the Delaware Bay can protect shoreline against sea level rise and more intense storm surge events. The project is called Developing Engineering practices using Ecosystem Design Solutions for Future Army (Military DEEDS Project): Building Coastal Community Resilience with Nature-based Shoreline Solutions. It is funded through an appropriation and is a collaboration among the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), UD and Louisiana State University. The project is led at UD by Jack Puleo and looks to inform the Army on land-use management designs to enhance the resilience of military missions and operations in present and future terrains by using ecosystem services to address threats posed by climate and coastal hazards. The project is being managed by Ed Hale and graduate students Brendan Campbell, a postdoctoral researcher in Hale’s lab, and Rileigh Huddock, a master’s level student in CEOE. They have installed a living shoreline test site in the Delaware Bay near the Hugh R. Sharp campus. [UDaily]

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture


Paving the way for a thriving and sustainable ecosystem and maritime economy from ocean to table

 

Resilient Communities and Economies


Preserving Delaware’s coastal heritage through adaptive community development

 

CEOE-Coast_Day-2017-EK-100117

Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development


Engaging students and teachers in innovative marine science learning programs

 

Graduate students, faculty, and staff with the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment and Delaware Sea Grant working in Rehoboth Bay to clean up to clean up "ghost" (derelict and abandoned) crab pots which litter the floor of the Bay. A previous survey found over 300 pots which have been lost or abandoned that can nevertheless still trap and kill wildlife that come across them, as well as pose a risk to boaters and swimmers. Once the pots have been removed from the bottom they are cleaned up and made available for repair and reuse or broken up and recycled.

Healthy Coastal Ecosystems


Leveraging community science to sustain coastal research and support the Delaware coast

 

Professional Mariner Training Program

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Professional Mariner Training Program



The Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) is a U.S. Coast Guard license to work aboard tugboats, ferries, cargo ships, research vessels, fishing boats, and offshore rigs. Delaware Sea Grant provides step-by-step assistance throughout the application process, including individual assessment, career orientation, vessel tours and training videos, introductions to industry partners, and employment support. 

Looking for more information? E-mail DESG Maritime Industry Specialist Rosemary Carroll at rosemary@udel.edu. 

NEWS & EVENTS

  • McCusker has joined Delaware Sea Grant in a professional capacity, serving as a Workforce Development Coordinator

    Joy McCusker Joins Delaware Sea Grant

    October 22, 2026 | Written by Adam Thomas
    McCusker has joined Delaware Sea Grant in a professional capacity, serving as a Workforce Development Coordinator.

  • A Summer of Seagrass Research and Policy Work

    September 21, 2026 | Written by Adam Thomas
    This summer, Ariel Mercurio worked with Delaware Sea Grant at the University of Delaware as a submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) intern under the guidance of Brittany Haywood, coastal ecology specialist. She traveled throughout the state looking at SAV in saltwater and freshwater habitats, and worked on four main projects.

  • Engaging Communities with Delaware Sea Grant

    September 16, 2026 | Written by Adam Thomas
    Natalie Kurek spent her summer as the Community Engaged Internship (CEI) program intern, working on urban watershed outreach and educational programming on topics such as stormwater management and urban heat with Delaware Sea Grant.

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Robinson Hall, Newark, DE 19716-1304 Phone 302-831-8083 Fax 302-831-2005