Marine Communications/ Information Service

Objectives:1) Use a range of outreach mechanisms to communicate Sea Grant research, advisory and education activities, including researchers, government agency personnel, industry professionals, the Congress, educators, commercial and recreational fishermen, media, citizens’ groups, libraries, and the general public. 2) Find ways to reach defined audiences more efficiently and effectively and to target new audiences with Sea Grant’s message. 3) Increase public awareness and understanding of the marine environment. 4) Provide editorial and production support to research, advisory, and management staff. 5) Assist the Sea Grant network and the national office in communicating Sea Grant information.Methodology:A technical report series, brochures, directories, seminars, and proceedings, newsletter, magazine, news release, program reports, bibliographies, special projects and a reference service present Sea Grant research and advisory activities to a wide range of audiences in varying levels of detail.Rationale:Information is of little use unless it is in the hands of the people who need it. Through a carefully planned approach, the communications staff seeks ways to deliver information to the many Sea Grant audiences who can use it, and to deliver that information in the way that will be most effective for each user group. Among the audiences that receive information about Sea Grant research, education, and advisory services are researchers, government agency personnel, industry professionals, policy makers, educators, commercial fishermen, media, citizens’ groups and the general public.