UMass Dartmouth’s SMAST is one of various research institutions tapped for focusing on high priority scientific research as part of NOAA’s goals for the North Atlantic Region.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) hosted Cooperative Institute for the North Atlantic Region (CINAR) would add a new member - UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science and Technology.
CINAR, a NOAA-supported, non-federal organization, conducts and coordinates cutting-edge research engaging both NOAA and academic scientists to enable informed decisions by NOAA for sustainable and beneficial management of the northwestern Atlantic shelf ecosystem.
“Climate change is transforming our oceans at an unprecedented pace and our region will be particularly impacted by this global threat,” said U.S. Representative William Keating. “Under WHOI’s leadership, the CINAR will continue to advance our understanding of climate change, and the marine ecosystem in the north Atlantic; helping to preserve our environment, and support fishermen while they sustainably harvest the oceans bounty.”
“SMAST is excited to be a part of this distinguished team of institutions comprising CINAR,” said Steven Lohrenz, Dean of SMAST. “Our affiliation with CINAR will create new opportunities for collaboration and expand our research and educational efforts in areas of fisheries, climate, and ocean ecosystem science.”
"The Cooperative Institute for the North Atlantic Region brings together leading research institutions to advance our understanding and sustainable management of this important and dynamic ecosystem,” said Craig McLean, assistant NOAA administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. "The research will strengthen our nation’s Blue Economy, which depends on data and information to make sound decisions for a healthy ecosystem and strong economy.”
“CINAR research seeks to provide a better understanding of the physical, biological, and chemical processes that enable forecasting conditions within the North Atlantic region as a tool for effective, ecosystem-based management and protected-species management,” said CINAR Director Don Anderson. “An important aspect of this approach includes interdisciplinary research to understand and forecast climate change, and the associated impacts to natural systems and communities.”
CINAR will conduct research focusing on five major areas that directly align with high priority NOAA scientific research, including:
- Sustained Ocean Observations and Climate Research
- Ecosystem Research, Observation, and Modeling
- Stock Assessment Research
- Protected Species Research and Recovery
- Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management
Other partners include the University of Maine, University of Rhode Island, Rutgers University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.