Alexis giving a presentation at an event

What we do

Texas Sea Grant’s team is a dedicated group of professionals working to strengthen Texas’s coastal and marine resources through research, outreach, and education. With expertise in marine science, policy, and sustainability, they partner with communities, policymakers, and stakeholders to tackle issues like coastal conservation, fisheries, environmental health, and economic development.
As residents of the coastal areas they serve, team members are closely connected to local industries, governments, and citizens. This on-the-ground presence helps identify pressing needs and ensures that research leads to practical tools and solutions. Through this collaborative, community-driven approach, Texas Sea Grant advances both local priorities and broader coastal challenges.

2023 – 2024

Texas Sea Grant’s Impact

$27 ReturnedTo the economy

For every state dollar invested

$2.45 million

in fuel savings for the shrimp fishing industry

70,074 hoursvalued at $1.7 million

of volunteer time mobilized

25,701 K-12 students

reached through informal education programs

43 communities

received training and tools to help protect them from coastal hazards and implement sustainable development

370 acres

of coastal wetlands, prairie, and dune habitat restored

191 fishermen

adopted sustainable practices

95 university students

supported

17,215 people engaged

in informal education programs

Texas Sea Grant works at the intersection of science, communities, and the coast to support the long-term sustainability of Texas’s coastal and marine resources. Through research, outreach, and education, we empower Texans to steward their environment, strengthen their economies, and build more resilient communities.

Supporting Coastal Economies

We help sustain the livelihoods that depend on our coast by providing direct support to commercial and recreational fisheries, aquaculture operations, marine-related small businesses, and coastal tourism. Our extension agents and specialists offer technical assistance, workforce development, and business training that allow communities to grow sustainably, adapt to changing conditions, and maximize opportunities in the blue economy.

Strengthening Community Resilience

Coastal Texans face growing challenges, from rising seas and intensifying storms to water quality concerns and development pressures. Texas Sea Grant partners with local governments, emergency managers, and community members to enhance resilience through hazard mitigation, stormwater planning, climate adaptation, and sustainable development strategies. Our programs help reduce risks, support long-term recovery, and promote the use of science-based decision-making to ensure safer, more adaptable coastal communities.

Engaging and Educating Texans

Education and outreach are at the core of our mission. We provide informal, science-based education to students, educators, and the public through workshops, seminars, citizen science programs, and publications. From hosting coastal camps and public events to coordinating the regional National Ocean Sciences Bowl competitions—the Dolphin Challenge and the Loggerhead Challenge—we spark curiosity, encourage stewardship, and build environmental literacy across all ages. Our extension professionals live in the communities they serve, making our outreach responsive, relevant, and impactful.

Research with a Purpose

Texas Sea Grant funds competitive, applied research that addresses the most pressing needs of our coastal and marine environments. We support university-led studies and collaborate with other Gulf of Mexico Sea Grant programs to generate practical solutions in four focus areas: Healthy Coastal Ecosystems, Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, Resilient Communities and Economies, and Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development. Research results are translated into tools, resources, and best practices that directly benefit Texas communities.

To explore current research projects or learn how to apply for funding, visit our Funding Opportunities page or email sgrfp@listserv.tamu.edu with the subject line “Subscribe” to receive announcements directly.