March 20, 2017 — Louisiana Sea Grant, which has provided research to state officials for setting oyster and shrimp seasons, developed new storm-safe dock locations to prevent the creation of marine debris caused by hurricanes, and whose researchers are assisting state officials in development of coastal Master Plan wetlands restoration projects, would likely not survive the draconian budget cut proposed by President Donald Trump, its director said Friday.
Buried on page 14 of Trump’s 62-page “skinny budget” summary for the 2018 fiscal year released Thursday (March 16) was the axing of all funding for the nation’s Sea Grant programs, including Louisiana.
“Zeroes out over $250 million in targeted National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) grants and programs supporting coastal and marine management, research, and education including Sea Grant, which primarily benefit industry and State and local stakeholders,” says the president’s budget. “These programs are a lower priority than core functions maintained in the budget such as surveys, charting, and fisheries management.”