NH Sea Grant

06/05/2026

N.H. Sea Grant is putting $1.2 million toward the issues that matter most to New Hampshire's coast and the people who depend on it.

The work spans a lot of ground: coastal flooding in Portsmouth, blue crabs moving into New Hampshire waters, salt marsh restoration and recovery, better oyster aquaculture, PFAS in Great Bay species, and a new study on Atlantic cod diet and sustainability in the Gulf of Maine.

Teams from UNH, Dartmouth College, and the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve will lead the work. Full details here: https://www.unh.edu/news/2026/05/nh-sea-grant-awards-12m-funding-coastal-marine-research-new-hampshire?utm_campaign=facebook&utm_content=1780681561&utm_medium=20260605&utm_source=fb

UNH Research NH Sea Grant UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture

06/05/2026

Congratulations to NH Sea Grant's director, Erik Chapman, who has been appointed director of the UNH School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering. Dr. Chapman will continue serving in both roles to advance University of New Hampshire's marine enterprise through research, education and outreach.

🎉 Congrats, Erik! University of New Hampshire has appointed Dr. Erik Chapman director of the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering (SMSOE), effective May 25, 2026, Provost Jen Riley announced recently. Chapman, who has served as interim director since February 2025, will continue to serve as director of NH Sea Grant.

"Erik has provided strategic and effective leadership during his time as interim director of the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, while continuing to advance the mission of New Hampshire Sea Grant," Riley said. "He brings a deep understanding of UNH's marine research, a strong record of building partnerships across the university and beyond, and a collaborative approach that has earned the trust of faculty, staff and external stakeholders. I am excited to continue working with Erik as he leads the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering into its next chapter."

"I am honored by the opportunity to continue serving the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering and the broader UNH marine community in this role," Chapman said. "The strength of SMSOE comes from the extraordinary faculty, researchers, staff, students and partners who contribute to its success. I look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen UNH's marine enterprise, support excellence in research, education and outreach, and build on the school's many accomplishments."

Read the full story ➡️ https://universitysystemnh.sharepoint.com/sites/wildcat-insider/SitePages/Chapman-appointed-director-of-School-of-Marine-Science-and-Ocean-Engineering.aspx

06/04/2026

How great is ? Find out for yourself by hopping aboard an EcoCruise this summer!

Tow for plankton, test water quality, witness fascinating marine creatures, and explore New Hampshire's largest estuary from the deck of UNH's research vessel, the R/V Gulf Challenger. 🌊

Space is limited—reserve your seat and discover Great Bay from a whole new perspective: https://seagrant.unh.edu/events/public-programs/cruises/great-bay-ecocruise

06/01/2026

What does it take to remove 8 tons of marine debris from the coast in one day? Find out on our latest podcast episode! 🌊

In April, over 100 commercial fishers across the came out to retrieve lost and abandoned fishing gear during the annual NH Lobster Trap Cleanup. Learn why fishing gear washes ashore, what can be done to prevent this form of marine debris, and how fishermen are taking steps to clean the coast, all on this month's episode.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

05/27/2026

Announcing new coastal research for the ! 🌊

NH Sea Grant has awarded $1.2 million to fund six coastal and marine research projects over the next two years.

The goals of these research projects are to:

🌱 Improve the health of NH’s ecologically important saltmarshes
💧 Monitor flooding in Portsmouth, NH
🐟 Analyze what Atlantic cod eat and its effects on spawning
🔎 Keep shellfish — and seafood lovers — safe from Vibrio contamination
🦀 Track blue crabs as they expand their range into Great Bay
🌊 Understand how PFAS affect coastal animals

Read the full story and learn more about each of these six research projects: https://www.unh.edu/news/2026/05/nh-sea-grant-awards-12m-funding-coastal-marine-research-new-hampshire

05/19/2026

Great opportunity for our neighbors in Massachusetts to view !

🎣FREE SCREENING! WOMEN ON THE WATER highlights women in New Hampshire who are reshaping the fishing trade, opening channels for more women to join their fields, and inspiring the next generation. The 45-minute film shares the stories of four women: why they chose their industries, the challenges they’ve overcome, and why they choose to stay.

🎤Following the film, there will be a panel of women working in the seafood industry on Cape Cod and the Islands.

📍Saturday, June 6 at 3:00 pm at Redfield Auditorium, 45 Water Street, Woods Hole.

🎟️The event is free but ticketed to ensure everyone a seat. Please click here to reserve yours: https://woodsholefilmfestival.org/events/womenonthewater/

05/18/2026

Clear as glass and tough as nails, are arriving in New Hampshire waters after an epic journey across the Atlantic, kicking off another season of eel monitoring. 🌊

American eels (Anguilla rostrata) are the only catadromous fish species in New Hampshire, spending most of their lives in freshwater before returning to the ocean to spawn and perish. Born in the Sargasso Sea east of Bermuda, these tiny larvae drift through the Atlantic for months before reaching NH rivers as transparent “glass eels". Some will spend up to 20 years in freshwater before making their final journey back to sea.

A new cohort of Coastal Research Volunteers was recently trained with NH Fish and Game to help monitor the return of these remarkable eels to New Hampshire waters.

05/14/2026

A huge thanks to all who came out to harvest and plant native beachgrass last week!

Learn more about the by visiting: https://seagrant.unh.edu/our-work/coastal-habitats/common-garden-native-sand-dune-plants

05/12/2026

Your search for summer outings starts here! 🌊

Spend the day on Appledore Island, one of the nine beautiful Isles of Shoals off the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire, and home of the Shoals Marine Laboratory.

During our Appledore Island walking tours, you'll witness local wildlife (watch out for the gulls!), learn the history of these islands, and experience coastal science firsthand.

Reserve your space on the boat today: https://seagrant.unh.edu/events/public-programs/cruises/explore-appledore-island-walking-tour

05/07/2026

Blueberries: good for pies, pollinators and water quality!💧

Get a crash course on the water cycle and how your landscaping decisions this spring can support clean water on this month’s episode of .

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts!