February 22, 2016
By Moira Harrington
The University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute,
which is dedicated to the sustainable use of Great Lakes resources through
research, education and outreach, today announced the award of $1.96 million in
research dollars for 2016. Sea Grant will fund 19 projects on six Wisconsin
campuses, along with a shipwreck exploration project in Lake Michigan in
partnership with the Wisconsin Historical Society and an education project with
the University of Wisconsin-Extension.
“We often say the Great Lakes are a gift from the
glaciers,” said Sea Grant Director Jim Hurley. “This gift is a valuable one—a
2011 study found 1.5 million jobs are tied to the lakes, with $62 billion in
annual wages. Just as the lakes fuel our economy, they also enrich our quality
of life. That’s why we are pleased that these science-based projects, 15 new
ones and three continuing from 2015, can further Wisconsin’s economic, cultural
and public health needs as tied to lakes Michigan and Superior.”
Researchers will look into the health of the waterways,
better ways to grow tasty walleyes destined for people’s dinner plates, methods
to prevent Great Lakes beach contamination, possible ways to lessen the
destruction of floods and more.
In all, nearly 100 researchers, staff and students
will be engaged in this work, said Hurley. The campuses are La Crosse, Madison,
Milwaukee and Stevens Point, along with Northland College and St. Norbert
College.
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