US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

33 U.S.C. § 1121

Congressional declaration of policy

(a)

Findings

The Congress finds and declares the following:
(1)
The national interest requires a strategy to—
(A)
provide for the understanding and wise use of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and the environment;
(B)
foster economic competitiveness;
(C)
promote public stewardship and wise economic development of the coastal ocean and its margins, the Great Lakes, and the exclusive economic zone;
(D)
encourage the development of preparation, forecast, analysis, mitigation, response, and recovery systems for coastal hazards;
(E)
understand global environmental processes and their impacts on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources; and
(F)
promote domestic and international cooperative solutions to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes issues.
(2)
Investment in a strong program of integrated research, education, extension, training, technology transfer, and public service is essential for this strategy.
(3)
The expanding use and development of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources resulting from growing coastal area populations and the increasing pressures on the coastal and Great Lakes environment challenge the ability of the United States to manage such resources wisely.
(4)
The vitality of the Nation and the quality of life of its citizens depend increasingly on the understanding, assessment, development, management, utilization, and conservation of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. These resources supply food, energy, and minerals and contribute to human health, the quality of the environment, national security, and the enhancement of commerce.
(5)
The understanding, assessment, development, management, utilization, and conservation of such resources require a broad commitment and an intense involvement on the part of the Federal Government in continuing partnership with State and local governments, private industry, universities, organizations, and individuals concerned with or affected by ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources.
(6)
1
1 So in original.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, through the national sea grant college program, offers the most suitable locus and means for such commitment and engagement through the promotion of activities that will result in greater such understanding, assessment, development, management, management, utilization, and conservation of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. The most cost-effective way to promote such activities is through continued and increased Federal support of the establishment, development, management, and operation of programs and projects by sea grant colleges, sea grant institutes, and other institutions, including strong collaborations between Administration scientists and research and outreach personnel at academic institutions.
(b)

Objective

The objective of this subchapter is to increase the understanding, assessment, development, management, utilization, and conservation of the Nation’s ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources by providing assistance to promote a strong educational base, responsive research and training activities, broad and prompt dissemination of knowledge and techniques, and multidisciplinary approaches to environmental problems.

(c)

Purpose

It is the purpose of the Congress to achieve the objective of this subchapter by extending and strengthening the national sea grant program, initially established in 1966, to promote integrated research, education, training, and extension services and activities in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources.

Pub. L. 89–454, title II, § 202Pub. L. 89–688, § 180 Stat. 998Pub. L. 94–461, § 290 Stat. 1961Pub. L. 95–428, § 2(b)92 Stat. 999Pub. L. 100–220, title III101 Stat. 1469Pub. L. 105–160, § 3112 Stat. 21Pub. L. 107–299, § 2116 Stat. 2345Pub. L. 110–394, § 3122 Stat. 4205(, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , §§ 3103, 3104(b)(1)(A), (B), , , 1470; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 110–394, § 3(c)2008—Subsec. (a). , inserted “management,” after “development,” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 110–394, § 3(a)(1)Subsec. (a)(1)(D), (E). , added subpars. (D) and (E) and struck out former subpars. (D) and (E) which read as follows:

“(D) encourage the development of forecast and analysis systems for coastal hazards;

“(E) understand global environmental processes; and”.

Pub. L. 110–394, § 3(a)(2)Subsec. (a)(2). , substituted “program of integrated research, education, extension,” for “program of research, education,”.

Pub. L. 110–394, § 3(a)(3)Subsec. (a)(6). , added par. (6) and struck out former par. (6) which read as follows: “The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, through the national sea grant college program, offers the most suitable locus and means for such commitment and involvement through the promotion of activities that will result in greater such understanding, assessment, development, utilization, and conservation. The most cost-effective way to promote such activities is through continued and increased Federal support of the establishment, development, and operation of programs and projects by sea grant colleges, sea grant institutes, and other institutions, including strong collaborations between Administration scientists and scientists at academic institutions.”

Pub. L. 110–394, § 3(c)Subsec. (b). , inserted “management,” after “development,”.

Pub. L. 110–394, § 3(b)Subsec. (c). , substituted “to promote integrated research, education, training, and extension services and activities” for “to promote research, education, training, and advisory service activities”.

Pub. L. 107–2992002—Subsec. (a)(6). inserted “, including strong collaborations between Administration scientists and scientists at academic institutions” before period at end.

Pub. L. 105–160, § 3(a)1998—Subsec. (a)(1)(D) to (F). , added subpar. (D) and redesignated former subpars. (D) and (E) as (E) and (F), respectively.

Pub. L. 105–160, § 3(b)Subsec. (a)(6). , substituted “The most cost-effective way to promote such activities is through continued and increased Federal support of the establishment, development, and operation of programs and projects by sea grant colleges, sea grant institutes, and other institutions.” for “Continued and increased Federal support of the establishment, development, and operation of programs and projects by sea grant colleges, sea grant regional consortia, institutions of higher education, institutes, laboratories, and other appropriate public and private entities is the most cost-effective way to promote such activities.”

Pub. L. 100–2201987—Subsec. (a). , §§ 3103(1), 3104(b)(1)(A), added pars. (1) to (3), redesignated former pars. (1) to (3) as (4) to (6), respectively, and substituted “ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources” for “ocean and coastal resources” in pars. (4) and (5).

Pub. L. 100–220, § 3103(2)Subsec. (b). , substituted “ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources by providing assistance to promote a strong educational base, responsive research and training activities, broad and prompt dissemination of knowledge and techniques, and multidisciplinary approaches to environmental problems.” for “ocean and coastal resources by providing assistance to promote a strong educational base, responsive research and training activities, and broad and prompt dissemination of knowledge and techniques.”

Pub. L. 100–220, § 3104(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (c). , substituted “ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources” for “ocean and coastal resources”.

Pub. L. 95–4281978—Subsec. (a)(3). substituted “national sea grant college program” for “national sea grant program”.

Pub. L. 94–4611976— completely rewrote the Congressional statement of findings, objectives, and purposes of the National Sea Grant Program Act to reflect the extension and strengthening of the national sea grant program to promote research, education, training, and advisory service activities in fields related to ocean and coastal resources through federal support to sea grant colleges, sea grant regional consortia, and other institutions through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and to make education, training, research, and advisory services responsive to state, local, regional, or national needs and problems.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title of 2020 Amendment

Pub. L. 116–221, § 1134 Stat. 1057

section 857–20 of this title“This Act [amending sections 1123, 1126, 1127, 1128, and 1131 of this title, repealing , and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1123 and 1127 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2020’.”
, , , provided that:

Short Title of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–394, § 1122 Stat. 4205

section 1128 of this title“This Act [amending this section and sections 1122 to 1124, 1126 to 1128, and 1131 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008’.”
, , , provided that:

Short Title of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–299, § 1116 Stat. 2345

section 857–20 of this titlesection 1123 of this title“This Act [enacting , amending this section and sections 1123, 1124, 1126 to 1128, and 1131 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments of 2002’.”
, , , provided that:

Short Title of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–160, § 1112 Stat. 21

section 1541 of Title 15section 1124a of this title“This Act [enacting , Commerce and Trade, amending this section and sections 1122, 1123, 1126 to 1128, and 1131 of this title, repealing , and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1123 and 1131 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization Act of 1998’.”
, , , provided that:

Short Title of 1991 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–186, § 1105 Stat. 1282

section 4741 of Title 16“This Act [amending sections 1122 to 1124, 1127, 1128, and 1131 of this title and , Conservation, and repealing sections 1125 and 1130 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Sea Grant College Program Authorization Act of 1991’.”
, , , provided that:

Short Title of 1987 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–220, title III, § 3001101 Stat. 1469

“This title [amending this section and sections 1122 to 1131 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 883a and 1125 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Marine Science, Technology, and Policy Development Act of 1987’.”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 100–220

section 1125 of this title“This subtitle [amending this section and sections 1122 to 1131 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘National Sea Grant College Program Authorization Act of 1987’.”
Section 3101 of subtitle A (§§ 3101–3111) of title III of provided that:

Short Title of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–461, § 190 Stat. 1961

section 1511 of Title 15“That this Act [enacting sections 1124a, 1125, 1126, 1127, 1128, 1129, 1130, and 1131 of this title and amending this section, sections 1122, 1123, and 1124 of this title, sections 5314 and 5315 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and provisions set out as notes under this section, , Commerce and Trade, and in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees] may be cited as the ‘Sea Grant Program Improvement Act of 1976’.”
, , , provided:

Short Title

Pub. L. 89–454, title II, § 201Pub. L. 89–688, § 180 Stat. 998Pub. L. 94–461, § 290 Stat. 1961Pub. L. 95–428, § 2(a)92 Stat. 999

“This title [enacting this subchapter] may be cited as the ‘National Sea Grant College Program Act’.”
, as added by , , , and amended by , , ; , , , provided that: