The National Sea Grant Law Center’s mission is to encourage a well-informed constituency by providing legal information and analysis to the Sea Grant Community, policy-makers, and the general public through a variety of products and services.

Sea Grant is a partnership between the nation’s universities and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that began in 1966, when the U.S. Congress determined there was a unique opportunity to use university expertise to solve today’s marine environmental problems. By funding universities in coastal and Great Lakes states through “sea grants,” Congress created the National Sea Grant College Program which now works with 30 state programs to encourage the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, education, outreach and technology transfer.

The National Sea Grant Law Center was established in 2002 to “coordinate and enhance Sea Grant's activities in legal scholarship and outreach related to coastal and ocean law issues.” For over a decade, the NSGLC at the University of Mississippi School of Law has fulfilled its five major responsibilities, as identified by the National Sea Grant Office: (1) integrating the efforts of ocean and coastal law researchers and users in the Sea Grant network nationwide; (2) conducting research on current ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes law issues; (3) providing outreach and advisory services to the Sea Grant network and coastal constituents; (4) disseminating information and analysis through periodic workshops and conferences as well as publications, and (5) serving as a focal point for Sea Grant’s law-related issues and promoting the growth and development of a Sea Grant legal network.

Our Staff

Advisory Committee

The National Sea Grant Law Center’s Advisory Committee provides valuable guidance in identifying research and outreach priorities, as well as strategic partnerships and initiatives. The The National Sea Grant Law Center was established to provide legal research, education, and outreach services to the entire Sea Grant network. To ensure the Law Center is fulfilling its mission, Advisory Committee members are drawn from the various Sea Grant networks, including both position-based (e.g., SGA, Assembly, Research Coordinators) and thematic (e.g., climate, fisheries). Representatives are also invited from key partner organizations.