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Director’s Letter

WHOI Sea Grant Director Matt Charette
WHOI Sea Grant Director Matt Charette

WHOI Sea Grant’s mission is to enhance the practical use and conservation of coastal and marine resources by developing and sharing science-based knowledge to create a sustainable economy and environment for the diverse communities of Massachusetts. To deliver on this promise, we rely on input from a variety of sources to determine the most pressing marine and coastal environmental issues facing our region. Key among them is our Marine Outreach Guidance Group (MOGG) – an advisory board that includes representatives from academia, industry, tribes, education, media, and government agencies. The MOGG plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of the WHOI Sea Grant program, providing valuable input on research programming, extension activities, legislative interactions, media activities, and more.

We recently updated the membership of our MOGG, which includes a mix of new and returning members. WHOI Sea Grant looks forward to the continued collaboration and innovative contributions from MOGG, as we work together to advance coastal and marine research, education, and conservation efforts.

MOGG Members (2024)

• Abby Elder, Sea Education Association

• Beckie Finn, Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)

• Brendan Annett, Buzzards Bay Coalition

• Cheryl Miliken, Falmouth High School

• Chris Flanagan, State Representative for Barnstable, Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod

• Chris Gargiulo, Cotuit Oysters

• Christian Petitpas, MA Division of Marine Fisheries

• Glenn Chamberlain, NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center

• Heather Goldstone, Woodwell Climate Research Center

• Heather McElroy, Cape Cod Commission

• Jason Steiding, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

• Julie Simpson, MIT Sea Grant

• Kama Theiler, WHOI

• Kate Paight, MA Department of Conservation and Recreation

• Laura Ludwig, Center for Coastal Studies

• Megan Tyrrell, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

• Mike Cahill, Town of Plymouth

• Mindy Todd, CAI, Local NPR for the Cape and Islands

• Neil Ganju, US Geological Survey

• Renee Gagne, Town of Chatham

• Rick Karney, Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, Inc.

• Steve McKenna, Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management

• Ted Keon, Town of Chatham