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Ocean & Coastal News
September 2025
Celebrating the 100th Birthday of Sea Grant Co-Founder, John A. Knauss
On September 6, the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography will commemorate what would have been the 100th birthday of John A. Knauss—renowned oceanographer, founding dean of GSO, former NOAA Administrator, and one of the most influential voices in U.S. marine science and policy.
Knauss, who passed away in 2015, helped shape the national understanding of the ocean’s role in society. As a co-founder of the National Sea Grant College Program and the namesake of the prestigious Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, his impact continues to be felt across the country and in the lives of countless students, researchers, and public servants.
As U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse reflected, “He was a remarkable man who has done a lot for Rhode Island and our oceans industry.”
Join us to honor Knauss’s vision and reflect on the future of ocean science, education, and public service that he helped set in motion.
National Preparedness Month
Hurricane Erin, the first Category 5 storm of the 2025 Atlantic season, stayed offshore—but still delivered powerful waves and life-threatening rip currents across New England.
As we enter #NationalPreparednessMonth and the peak of hurricane season, Erin underscores the urgent need to plan. This year, NOAA is forecasting an above-normal hurricane season, driven by record-warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures and a likely shift toward La Niña conditions—both of which increase the potential for severe storms along the East Coast.
As part of its mission to strengthen the resilience of Rhode Island’s coastal communities, Rhode Island Sea Grant works to ensure that the best available science and tools reach the hands of local governments, emergency managers, and decision-makers.
Thank You, MyCoast Volunteers
From beach closures to ferry cancellations, Hurricane Erin reminded us just how vulnerable Rhode Island’s coastlines are.
Across the state, emergency managers, town planners, and researchers are using a suite of digital tools to strengthen Rhode Island’s ability to face future storms head-on.
One of those tools is MyCoast, which provides for real-time documentation of storm impacts by community volunteers.
THANK YOU to our #MyCoastRI volunteers who submitted storm photos during Hurricane Erin. Your images are helping coastal planners and researchers better understand flood risks, shoreline change, and storm impacts at the local level.
Sea Grant’s Vital Role in Advancing Rhode Island’s Coastal Hazard Resilience
URI's advanced modeling and mapping tools are being used statewide to support emergency response, planning, and resilience to rising seas and stronger storms.
For more than a decade, Rhode Island Sea Grant has been a partner in advancing and applying these resources: RI-CHAMP, STORMTOOLS, and MyCoast.
“These tools are integral to our hazard mitigation strategy and coastal resilience planning,” said Richard Rainer, town administrator for Portsmouth
Rhode Island legislators recently approved $200,000 to sustain these programs—recognizing their value as decision-making lifelines for the state’s communities.
Sea Grant Investment Spurs Cutting-Edge Technology for Plastic Pollution Research
Rhode Island Sea Grant-funded research investigating microplastics in Narragansett Bay has helped attract funding for advanced tools, including URI’s new LDIR spectrometer, to support ongoing studies.
“Sea Grant funding was key to getting the information out and getting people interested,” says Coleen Suckling, associate professor at URI and member of the research team.
As microplastic pollution grows—impacting marine, terrestrial, and atmospheric ecosystems—the need for precise, scalable detection methods becomes increasingly urgent. The new LDIR system offers rapid, automated analysis, accelerating efforts to monitor and mitigate plastic contamination in coastal environments.
Rising Seas Squeeze Conimicut Point
Rising seas and erosion are visibly reshaping Conimicut Point in Warwick, where shrinking shorelines and encroaching marshes reveal the urgent need for adaptation.
At a recent walking tour, Sea Grant and partners showcased local strategies like road removal, land conservation, and participatory science through MyCoast, even as new housing has been permitted in this flood-prone area.
Walk leaders encouraged residents to get involved and help shape a more resilient future.
EVENTS
King Tide
Today’s King Tides are tomorrow’s daily tides. Help us monitor and document the effects of extreme high tide events on Rhode Island's beaches, coastal waterways, private property, and public infrastructure.
Date: September 10, 2025
Time: 10:15 a.m.
Sandy Point Walk
Join us for a walking tour of Sandy Point Beach, Warwick. Details coming soon.
Date: Sept. 30, 2025
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Location: Sandy Point Beach, Ives Road, Warwick
Fisheries and Benthic Monitoring with TechSurge
Experts from across sectors will gather to explore progressive monitoring technologies and practices that support sustainable offshore development. Some highlights will include curated panels, an open call for abstracts, and the Tech Cafe—an interactive exhibit hall.
Date: October 8-9, 2025
Location: University of Rhode Island Bay Campus, Narragansett, RI
Sea Grant is committed to developing a skilled marine and coastal workforce by providing job-based training, internships, fellowships, and research funding to undergraduate and graduate students.
