The University of Guam and Northern Marianas College on Saipan are joining forces as the NMI college seeks to achieve Sea Grant status.  UOG is the youngest and smallest Sea Grant program in the nation out of 34 and just recently received institutional status, opening up more resources for its programs.

A Sea Grant Institution links the university to NOAA in its research in the coastal and marine areas. Austin Shelton was part of a trip to the Northern Marianas with Sea Grant officials in recent weeks to visit facilities on Saipan. What would this mean for NMC?

Dr. Austin Shelton, the UOG Sea Grant director, told KUAM News, "This is a really important first step. This is the first time the national Sea Grant director has visited Guam and we used that opportunity to also have him visit the Northern Mariana Islands for the very first visit, as well. It is a process where they have to be introduced to the National Sea Grant program, and they have to make formal requests.

"So it will go through this process and I think now that the national office has seen it there's a much bigger possibility than ever before for Sea Grant programming to make its way north to Saipan and the other islands there, as well."