Last year, the Massachusetts Sea Grant programs invited residents to add their names to a sign-on letter urging Congress to maintain strong support for Sea Grant. To date, over 600 constituents—from shellfish growers in Wellfleet to science teachers in Worcester—have already answered the call. Their message is clear: our work keeps our coastal towns safer, our marine economy stronger, and kids in our classrooms inspired.

These signatures came from every corner of the Commonwealth: teachers who use our lesson kits, municipal officials who rely on our flood-resilience expertise, students whose research is funded by Sea Grant, and business owners whose livelihoods depend on healthy bays and harbors. Their collective voice carries weight on Capitol Hill, but we can make it even louder.

Each year, directors of Sea Grant programs across the nation visit Congressional and Senate offices on Capitol Hill to underscore Sea Grant's impact.  It's important that we show our elected representatives in Washington that our work is important to enhancing the practical use and conservation of coastal and marine resources to create a sustainable economy, a healthy environment, and resilient communities.

If you’ve already signed, thank you—your support is invaluable. If you haven’t had a chance yet, please take one minute to add your name here. Every signature shows our delegation that Massachusetts stands firmly behind the coastal science, extension, and education that Sea Grant delivers.

Thank you for being part of our Sea Grant community—and for lending your voice to ensure programs like ours continue to serve the Commonwealth.

-- February 2026