Gulf of Mexico Sea Grant 2008-2009 and 2010-2011 research projects aligned to Gulf of Mexico Alliance Action Plan II  action steps within the six priority areas. This summary represents 124 research projects funded at over $20 million. This total does not include Sea Grant's similar level of expenditures in extension, outreach and education. 
Cycle Project Name Abstract Project Summary Annual or Completion Report Water Quality Habitat Conservation and Restoration Ecosystems Integration & Assessment Nutrients and Nutrient Impacts Coastal Community Resilience Education* Program Total Funding
All Years
10-11 Omni Evaluation of LISST instruments to monitor for harmful algal blooms (HABS) in Texas coastal waters Abstract     HABs 1, 2, 5           TX      74,310
08-09 Omni Genetic analysis of nitrogen assimilation in the Texas brown tide Aureoumbra lagunensis  Abstract     HABs 1, 5           TX    248,750
PD 08 Preliminary data analysis to test land-use influence on red tide in Choctawhatchee Bay, FL Abstract     HABs 5   Master Mapping Plan 1       FL        3,500
PD 08 Mercury analysis of estuarine fish   Project Summary   Mercury 2, 3           LA        9,949
08-09 Omni Effects of fire on water quality, plant production, and biogenic accretion in a Juncus romerianus dominated marsh Abstract Project Summary Annual Report Monitoring 4 Tech Dev 2         MS-AL    160,289
08-09 Omni An interdisciplinary assessment of population growth and development impacts on the fish river basin coastal community Abstract Project Summary Annual Report Monitoring 4   Master Mapping Plan 1
Data Access and Acquisition 1
ES Valu 3		 Charact 1, 2, 3, 7
Reduct Strat 2, 4		     MS-AL    281,833
10-11 Omni Geological controls on submarine groundwater discharge in and upper bay estuary – Copano Bay Abstract     Monitoring 4           TX    400,348
08-09 Omni Use of stable isotope ratios to link wastewater sources to effects on shellfish and human health Abstract Project Summary Annual Report Pathogens 1
Monitoring 4		     Charact 1, 3, 5     MS-AL      99,995
PD 08 A nanoscale microfluidic sampler: applications in environmental/agricultural sampling of E. coli Abstract     Pathogens 1, 2           TX      10,000
10-11 Omni Rapid concentration and detection of enteric viruses in seawater   Project Summary   Pathogens 1, 2, 3           LA    372,850
10-11 Omni Residence time as a factor controlling harmful algal blooms and fecal coliform bacteria in Little Lagoon, AL Abstract Project Summary   Pathogens 1, 2, 3
HABs 1, 2, 4		     Charact 1     MS-AL    447,454
PD 08 Development of diagnostic test and pilot cross infection study for new exotic Perkinsus isolated from Vietnamese Tridacnid clams imported into the USA Abstract     Pathogens 2           FL        5,000
PD 08 Mechanisms of oyster colonization by Salmonella, a model human pathogen Abstract     Pathogens 2           FL        5,000
10-11 Omni Role of the protease inhibitors of a novel protease inhibitor family in the eastern oyster host defense against Dermo   Project Summary   Pathogens 2, 3           LA    264,530
08-09 Omni Oyster demand adjustments to alternative consumer education and post harvest processes in response to Vibrio vulnificus Abstract     Pathogens 2, 3, 4           FL    375,000
PD 08 Rapid detection of Vibrio spp. by a molecular assay   Project Summary   Pathogens 2, 4           LA        5,500
08-09 Omni Assessment of supercritical CO2 inactivation of oyster  associated bacteria Abstract Project Summary Annual Report Pathogens 2, 4           MS-AL      24,130
PD 08 Preliminary genomic sequencing of environmental Vibrio vulnificus strain 99-520 DP-B8 Abstract     Pathogens 2, 4           FL        6,710
08-09 Omni Projected reorganization of seagrass communities in response to altered freshwater flow in Florida Bay Abstract     Pathogens 3 Tech Dev 2
Reversing the Downward Trend in Habitat and ES 3		 ES Valu 3 Charact 7     FL    144,384
08-09 Omni The possible effects of commercial trap fishing on a lethal viral disease (PaV1) in spiny lobsters  Abstract     Pathogens 3           FL    233,241
08-09 Omni Coral-associated "probiotic" bacteria: exploring mechanisms for potential applications in bio-control of coral diseases Abstract     Pathogens 3           FL    218,607
08-09 Omni Identification and characterization of widely dispersed polysaccharide genes which are differentially expressed between virulent encapsulated and avirulent unencapsulated strains of the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus   Project Summary   Pathogens 3, 4           LA    168,871
10-11 Omni Implementation of Vibrio monitoring methods needed to sustain Florida coastal communities Abstract     Pathogens 3, 4           FL    297,253
08-09 Omni Detection of virulent Vibrio vulnificus in eastern oysters by a simple molecule assay   Project Summary   Pathogens 4           LA    177,286
PD 08 Development of an isothermal nucleic acid test with lateral flow detection for Vibrio vulnificus   Project Summary Annual Report Pathogens 4           MS-AL      15,437
08-09 Omni Cryopreservation of Florida sea oats germplasm: A technology to ensuring long-term availability of site-specific genotypes for dune restoration Abstract     Tech Dev 2           FL    160,000
08-09 Omni Influence of nutrient and sediment load on our ability to define beneficial flows for Galveston Bay Abstract       Gulf Regional Sediment Management Master Plan   Charact 1     TX    437,660
08-09 Omni Use of passive acoustics to identify and characterize spotted seatrout spawning habitat in two Mississippi estuaries Abstract Project Summary Annual Report   Partnerships 1         MS-AL    212,407
CSP 09 Development of new geospatial technology/traditional ecological knowledge derived information tools for restoration of ecosystem-dependent livelihood bases of coastal communities   Project Summary     Partnerships 1
Policy Changes 2		 Master Mapping Plan 1
ES Valu 2, 3		   Assess 2, 4, 5
Toolbox 3		   MS-AL      99,880
08-09 Omni Are Louisiana's shelf-edge banks the center of abundance and historical natural refuge for Gulf of Mexico's most valuable reef fish: A pilot story   Project Summary     Partnerships 1
Reversing the Downward Trend in Habitat and ES 2		 ES Valu 2       LA    264,708
08-09 Omni From the river to the sea and back again: life history migrations of the river shrimp Macrobrachium ohione the key to conservation and restoration of valuable fishery resource   Project Summary     Partnerships 1
Tech Dev 2
Reversing the Downward Trend in Habitat and ES 2		 LMR 2       LA    237,894
10-11 Omni Freshwater residence and habitat requirement of southern flounder determined by otolith microchemistry Abstract       Reversing the Downward Trend in Habitat and ES 2 ES Valu 1       TX    166,144
PD 08 The utility of salt marsh vegetation as an indicator of climate change at short and long time scales Abstract       Tech Dev 1 Status and Trends Report 1   Assess 4   TX        9,998
10-11 Omni Wetland restoration with sediment conveyance: an experimental approach to reduce uncertainties in attaining successful restoration   Project Summary     Tech Dev 1, 2
Gulf Regional Sediment Management Master Plan		         LA    275,864
10-11 Omni Environmental controls on the dynamics of nursery habitat quality for estuarine-dependent fishes Abstract       Tech Dev 2 ES Valu 1, 2       FL    254,924
10-11 Omni Wave hydrodynamics in segmented wetlands with application to hurricane damage reduction and wetlands management and preservation Abstract       Tech Dev 2     Assess 4   TX    300,000
08-09 Omni Mapping genetic structure in the seagrass Halodule wrightii (shoalgrass) along the Texas Gulf Coast Abstract       Tech Dev 2         TX    148,652
PD 08 Master planning for wetland restoration plans in St. Bernard Parish   Project Summary     Tech Dev 2         LA      10,000
10-11 Omni Using long-term data sets and controlled laboratory and field derived data of oyster growth, mortality and recruitment to refine a dynamic oyster model for predicting optimal conditions and formulating management strategies for sustainable seed production in Brenton sound, Louisiana   Project Summary     Tech Dev 2         LA    387,424
10-11 Omni Habitat suitability index for submerged aquatic vegetation of the Mississippi Coast Abstract Project Summary     Tech Dev 2         MS-AL      71,286
PD 08 Ruppia maritima restoration using seedlings in Bayou Cumbest, Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Mississippi Abstract Project Summary Annual Report   Tech Dev 2         MS-AL      17,242
10-11 Omni An experimental test of the effects of beach raking on macroinvertebrate communities of Texas beaches Abstract       Tech Dev 2         TX      88,706
08-09 Omni Development of design criteria for habitat restoration in the Louisiana coastal zone using dredge material based on the physical and chemical properties of the soil environment   Project Summary     Tech Dev 2
Gulf Regional Sediment Management Master Plan 2		         LA    106,575
08-09 Omni Predicting impacts of coastal habitat degradation on an economically important fish Abstract       Tech Dev 2
Reversing the Downward Trend in Habitat and ES 2, 3
ES Valuation 3		         FL    159,909
08-09 Omni Making bathymetry of TX-LA Coastal and continental shelf/slope areas compatible with geographic information systems Abstract         Data Access and Acquisition 1, 2       TX      48,642
08-09 Omni Quantification of hurricane flooding reduction by vegetation along the Texas coast Abstract         ES Valu 1   Assess 4   TX    328,704
PD 08 Habitat utilization of black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) by estuarine fishes in south-central Louisiana: implications for essential fish habitat   Project Summary       ES Valu 1       LA      10,000
08-09 Omni Development of a sustainable biological production method for the potent cytotoxic agent Leiodermatolide Abstract         ES Valu 1, 2       FL    239,892
08-09 Omni Carboxylated neuroprotective agents from cone snails Abstract         ES Valu 1, 2       FL    225,000
10-11 Omni Coastal Ecosystems and Habitats Role of Microzooplankton in Coastal Ecosystems: Viewing Windows of Opportunity Abstract         ES Valu 1, 2       TX    239,816
08-09 Omni A comparative study of market and non-market valuations for selected ecosystem services of Galveston Bay Abstract         ES Valu 1, 2       TX    154,606
PD 08 Characterization of cv-lysozyme 3 from the shell liquor of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica   Project Summary       ES Valu 2, 3       LA        9,304
08-09 Omni Development of an immortalized sponge cell line for sustainable supply of marine bioproducts Abstract         ES Value 1, 2       FL    240,000
08-09 Omni Species diversification in Florida shellfish aquaculture: nursery and grow-out of the Sunray Venus clam Abstract         LMR 2       FL    219,884
08-09 Omni Propagation of marine finfish: commercial scale performance and economics for profitable growout in recirculating systems   Project Summary       LMR 2       LA    264,910
08-09 Omni Determination of the minimum dietary requirements of Florida Pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) for essential amino acids: lysine and methionine   Project Summary       LMR 2       LA    170,568
10-11 Omni Grouper forensics for seafood quality control Abstract         LMR 2       FL    300,000
10-11 Omni Expanding the production of commercial marine finfish in the nGOM: Development of novel spawning protocols for difficult to spawn marine fishes   Project Summary       LMR 2       LA    219,354
PD 08 Using Stable Isotopes to Explore Trophic Connectivity in Sharks in the Northern Gulf of Mexico   Project Summary Annual Report     LMR 2       MS-AL      15,810
PD 08 Enhanced Traceability of Seafood - Shrimp   Project Summary       LMR 2       LA        5,000
PD 08 Air Incubation and Ontogeny of Digestive Enzymes in Cocahoe minnows (Fundulus grandis) to develop/Improve larval culture methods for the establishment of a marine baitfish industry   Project Summary       LMR 2       LA        9,963
10-11 Omni Ecosystem-based fishery management: An interdisciplinary approach to evaluating grouper harvest policies Abstract         LMR 2       FL    300,000
10-11 Omni Eliminating barriers to commercial production of sunray venus clams in Florida through enhanced hatchery production, growout site selection, and definition of product attributes Abstract         LMR 2       FL    301,609
PD 09 Charter fishing customer profile survey - phase I Abstract Project Summary       LMR 2       MS-AL        8,500
08-09 Omni Utilization of seafood processing wastes in aquaculture through integrated nutritional and food manufacturing technologies Abstract         LMR 2       TX    250,524
10-11 Omni Population status and demographics of the Texas diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin littoralis) Abstract         LMR 2       TX      65,940
PD 08 Detection of non-indigenous marine invertebrates in Galveston Bay, TX, by DNA barcoding Abstract         LMR 2       TX      15,238
PD 08 Prevalence of the blue crab parasite (Hematodinum perezi) in the Aransas and Corpus Christi Bay systems Abstract         LMR 2       TX      21,822
PD 08 Recuration of marine fishes Abstract         LMR 2       TX      20,343
10-11 Omni Oyster farming in Alabama: Identifying most viable practices Abstract Project Summary       LMR 2       MS-AL    248,727
10-11 Omni Genetic effective size in hatchery-raised spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, released for stock enhancement in Texas and estuaries Abstract         LMR 2       TX    294,024
08-09 Omni Genetic markers and their assay for critical studies of spotted Seatrout (cynoscion nebulosus) in Texas bays Abstract         LMR 2       TX    141,604
10-11 Omni Promoting larval survival through broodstock diet: Implications for fish stock enhancement Abstract         LMR 2       TX    239,874
08-09 Omni Viral-pathogen-free Farfantpenaeus duorarum broodstock production for sustainable live bait shrimp farming in Texas Abstract         LMR 2       TX    209,364
Dolphin Project 2008 Assessment of depredation by bottlenose dolphins in the Northwest Florida and Alabama sport fishery   Project Summary Annual Report     LMR 2       MS-AL      79,992
08-09 Omni The crustacean molt-inhibiting hormone receptor and induction of molting in blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) Abstract Project Summary Annual Report     LMR 2       MS-AL    100,000
PD 08 Marine baitfish aquaculture: Development of controlled spawning protocols for year round production of Pigfish Abstract         LMR 2       FL        5,000
08-09 Omni The interaction of salinity and temperature on growth of native and non-native shrimp species cultured in Alabama Abstract Project Summary Annual Report     LMR 2       MS-AL    211,535
08-09 Omni Conversion of seafood processing waste into triglycerides a biodiesel feedstock Abstract Project Summary Annual Report     LMR 2       MS-AL    195,356
10-11 Omni Development of safe, convenient, and frozen oyster products for the frozen ready - meal market segment   Project Summary       LMR 2       LA    211,245
PD 08 Molecular technologies for quantifying coral health: a workshop for Florida's reef researchers Abstract         LMR 2       FL        3,800
08-09 Omni Characterizing individual and seasonal variation in tissue-specific C, N, and S stable isotope ratios of spotted sea trout, Cynoscion nebulosis, in support of proposals to use stable isotope data to quantify trophic pathways to sport fish Abstract Project Summary Annual Report     LMR 2       MS-AL      25,766
CSP 09 The impact of accelerated sea level rise on tidal marshes and storm surge Abstract Project Summary       Status and Trends Report 1   Assess 1, 2, 4
Toolbox 3
Com 3		   MS-AL    115,255
PD 08 Will climate change cause wetland loss on the Mississippi Gulf Coast more than upland land use/land cover change within the next century   Project Summary Annual Report     Status and Trends Report 1   Assess 2, 4   MS-AL      15,000
10-11 Omni A parameterized climate change projection model for hurricane flooding, wave action, economic damages, and population dynamics   Project Summary       Status and Trends Report 1   Assess 4   FL, MS-AL, LA, TX, GOMP, NGI    600,000
10-11 Omni Decreasing nitrate-N loads to coastal ecosystems with innovative drainage management strategies in agricultural landscapes Abstract Project Summary         Charact 1
Reduct Strat 2		 Assess 4   MS-AL    143,800
10-11 Omni Nitrogen mass balance in wetlands receiving diverted Mississippi River water: Utility to development of Conceptual Ecological Models   Project Summary         Charact 1, 2, 3, 6     LA    286,529
08-09 Omni Isotopic tracing of riverine nitrogen transformation and transport from the Atchafalaya to the Gulf of Mexico   Project Summary         Charact 1, 3, 7     LA    121,136
10-11 Omni Characterizing stormwater nitrogen inputs to Mississippi’s coastal Waters: A landscape approach Abstract Project Summary         Charact 1, 3, 7
Reduct Strat 3		 Assess 4   MS-AL    126,764
08-09 Omni Interactive effects of nutrient enrichment and sea level rise and herbivory on the ability of coastal marshes to recover from hurricane-induced salt water intrusion   Project Summary         Charact 5
Reduct Strat 3		 Com 3    LA    263,635
PD 09 Nitrogen removal via denitrification in Weeks Bay, AL   Project Summary         Charact 6
Red Strat 4, 5, 6		     MS-AL      15,436
08-09 Omni Field and numerical investigations of tidal vortices for exchange flows through inlets on the Texas coast  Abstract           Charact 7     TX    280,674
10-11 Omni Investigating the processes that affect Texas coastal hypoxia  Abstract           Hypoxia 1     TX      75,000
CSP 09 Enhancement of bioretention to promote civic hydrology and sustainability for coastal cities through innovative planning, design, and engineering of stormwater management, utilization and control   Project Summary         Reduct Strat 2 Toolbox 3
Com 4		   MS-AL      71,429
08-09 Omni Prediction of wetland sedimentation and erosion caused by hurricanes   Project Summary            Assess 4   LA    276,633
CSP 09 Enhancing the coastal IQ survey: measuring knowledge and attitudes of Gulf coast residents Abstract             Assess 3   MS-AL      75,000
CSP 09 Hurricanes, institutional procedures, and information processing (HIHIP): Engagement with decision-makers and coastal residents Abstract Project Summary           Assess 3
Toolbox 2, 3, 4
Com 1, 4		   MS-AL    137,774
08-09 Omni High resolution coastal inundation mapping to enhance hurricane resiliency in Florida Abstract             Assess 4   FL    240,000
10-11 Omni Post-hurricane Ike recovery of upper Texas coast beaches and their role in sea turtle recovery Abstract             Assess 4   TX    245,851
10-11 Omni Development of test-based hurricane-induced building interior damage and loss of contents data for improved risk mapping Abstract             Assess 4   FL    300,092
10-11 Omni Identifying flood-generating areas in 8-Mile Creek watershed through a novel approach Abstract Project Summary           Assess 4   MS-AL    310,994
08-09 Omni Modeling business return in New Orleans after Katrina: its implications for Gulf of Mexico economic recovery   Project Summary           Assess 4   LA, FL, TX, MS-AL    300,887
10-11 Omni Structural retrofit for extreme winds of aged wood residential roofs using spray-applied adhesives Abstract             Assess 4   FL    300,000
10-11 Omni Changing flood mitigation: the consequences of new flood Insurance rate maps on Louisiana coastal communities   Project Summary           Assess 4
Toolbox 3		   LA    281,094
PD 08 A proposal for branding the Gallis project for optimal success   Project Summary Annual Report         Assess 4
Toolbox 3		   MS-AL      12,420
08-09 Omni Full-scale simulation of hurricane effects on residential building envelopes to reduce hurricane-induced losses Abstract             Assess 4
Toolbox 4		   FL    240,000
08-09 Omni Development of innovative load transfer mechanism to reduce hurricane-induced failures in new and existing residential construction   Project Summary           Assess 4
Toolbox 4		   FL, MS-AL, LA, TX    300,000
PD 08 Vanishing coast, vanishing culture--an environment and oral history of Grand Isle and Cheniere Caminada   Project Summary           Assess 5   LA        9,803
PD 08 Preserving oral histories of waterfront-related pursuits in Bayou La Batre, AL   Project Summary Annual Report         Assess 5   MS-AL      15,000
CSP 09 Faith community preparedness and resilience project Abstract Project Summary           Assess 5
Com 1, 4		   MS-AL      20,000
CSP 09 Three television programs on storm resiliency for AL/MS Gulf coasts   Project Summary           Com 1 Community Education and Outreach 3 MS-AL    100,000
CSP 09 Coastal community resilience team development of a state specific homeowner's handbook to prepare for natural hazards   Project Summary           Com 1   MS-AL      40,000
08-09 Omni Planning for sustainable coastal communities and waterways Abstract             Com 1, 4   FL      61,890
CSP 09 2009 Community hurricane preparedness fair   Project Summary           Com 1, 4   MS-AL      11,470
10-11 Omni Implications of takings law on innovative planning for sea level rise in the Gulf of Mexico   Project Summary           Toolbox 2, 4   FL, MS-AL, LA, TX, GOMP, NGI    605,204
08-09 Omni A spatial hazard index of semi-permanent rip currents in Northwest Florida Abstract             Toolbox 3   FL    170,549
08-09 Omni A coastal communities planning atlas for decision makers and local residents: Phase II Abstract             Toolbox 3
Com 1		   TX    221,480
CSP 09 Mitigating coastal hazards risks through community education/outreach to facilitate participation in NFIP's community rating system   Project Summary           Toolbox 3
Com 1, 4		   MS-AL      20,000
10-11 Omni Decision support to local governments in budget planning under coastal risk in Louisiana    Project Summary           Toolbox 3
Com 4		   LA    152,745
CSP 09 Decision support to local governments in budget planning under coastal risk Abstract Project Summary           Toolbox 3
Com 4		   MS-AL      33,671
08-09 Omni State and local policy development for coastal access, coastal economic and ecosystem health, coastal hazard mitigation and adaptation Abstract             Toolbox 3, 4   FL      83,230
PD 8 Migrate the Louisiana Sea Grant Marina Directory to a geospatial coverage and prepare it for inclusion in the enhanced marinas and boat lLannch database   Project Summary           Toolbox 5   LA        9,999
B-WET 09 B-WET: Shifting baselines: Watershed connections to landscape changes   Project Summary Progress Report           K-20 Lit 1, 3 MS-AL    362,177
PD 08 Development of field guide resources for aquatic plants of the Mississippi coast   Project Summary Annual Report           K-20 Lit 1, 3 MS-AL      17,241
10-11 Omni Marine educations: Teaching high school students the scientific method through involvement in an ongoing field experiment Abstract                 TX    144,018
* Sea Grant investment in Extension, Outreach, and Education (EOE) is roughly equal to its investment in research. These additional EOE programs are not reflected in this spreadsheet.