Minnesota Sea Grant Milestones and Accomplishments
June 2005
by Sharon Moen
1963
UMN professor Athelstan Spilhaus proposes U.S. Sea Grant college concept
1966
Federal government funds the National Sea Grant College Program
1975
Sea Grant debuts on the Duluth campus with the Minnesota Marine Advisory Service
1976
First issue of the Seiche newsletter distributed
The Edge of the Arrowhead published
1977
University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program becomes established and funds four fisheries research projects
1979
Director's office founded on the St. Paul campus
10 traineeships (graduate research fellowships) made available on 8 projects
Testing hypothermia suits on Lake Superior
1981
Hypothermia suit research stimulates production of three products, grossing $1 million for Stearns Inc., a manufacturer of suits and flotation devices
Institutional status awarded
Sea Camps draw about 400 children to week-long sessions
American Indians in Marine Science (AIMS) program
1982
Hypothermia Causes, Effects, and Prevention published
1983
Lawrence the Lake Trout retires
Researchers discover a way to freeze fish sperm without damaging viability, greatly aiding aquaculture operations and hatcheries
1984
Diving reflex discovery changes the way people submerged in cold water are revived
1985
College status awarded (highest award for Sea Grant program)
Submersible takes researchers to bottom of Lake Superior for the first time
1986
First investigations into the legal and economic aspects of diverting water from Lake Superior
1987
Researchers reveal that atmospheric deposition is a major cause of PCB pollution in water; results used as evidence to ban toxaphene
1988
New technique improves detection of fish virus
UMN graduates receive Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships for the first time
1989
Genetic engineering using a fish gene offers a way to correct flawed DNA
1990
Omega-3 fatty acid content of siscowet trout intrigues health experts
1991
MN exporter processes and ships tons of crayfish to Sweden with Sea Grant help
Zebra Mussel Information Center (now AIS Information Center) established
1994
Director's office moves to Duluth campus
Biotechnology Risk Assessment examines MN's ability to regulate genetically modified organisms
1995
MN Sea Grant goes online with information using the Gopher system
MN Water Line answers phone calls until 2000
Teachers learn the multicultural and environmental histories of the region through the Gitchi Gumee Institute
1996
Peter Sorensen and Pete Maniak, lamprey researchers at the University of Minnesota
Biocontrol of sea lampreys shows promise as researchers discover important pheromone cues
Market for Great Lakes sea lamprey in Portugal and Spain demonstrated
Exotic Species Traveling Trunks became available
1997
Weevils show potential to control Eurasian watermilfoil
Treasures Under Pressure workshop unites North Shore residents and agency personnel
1998
Water on the Web enters classrooms with real-time data from lakes
1999
Researchers show microorganisms facilitate the carbon cycle and make contaminants more available in Lake Superior's food web
International conference on aquatic invasive species draws 400 scientists to Duluth
2000
30 teachers learn new aquatic science lessons through Water, Webs, and Widgets
2001
Researchers find that endocrine disrupters common in wastewater generate female traits in male fish
National discussion about managing genetically modified organisms held
2002
Fish genetics work results in Discovery Genomics, Inc., and over $5 million in grants
Northland Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) efforts commence
First year that Great Lakes Commission - Sea Grant Fellowship is awarded to UMN graduate
Speaker series sparks conversations and a companion book about Lake Superior research
DuluthStreams.Org launched
2003
Leech Lake Band gets help contending with Superfund Site clean-up in Cass Lake, MN
2004
Financial administration moves to Duluth campus
Responses to pheromones suggest invasive ruffe may be controlled in harbors
Guided cruises show North Shore residents coastal planning challenges
Aquarists and water gardeners begin finding Habitattitude project messages nationwide
Initiative links UMD Education Department volunteers with Great Lakes Aquarium programs
2005
Experts brought to Duluth to investigate possible causes for accelerated steel corrosion in harbor
Workshops teach stewardship to lake property owners
