What I am Learning about Working for a Science Based Service Agency

LaDon SwannMississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium and

Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center

Sea Grant is a Boundary Organization

• Boundary organizations are “formal relational structures” that create linkages across traditional boundaries– such as the boundaries

between science and policy.

• Reputation of neutrality, impartiality, and credibility – Built through 48 years of

scientific integrity and – “boots on the ground”

community presence

2014 Social Network Analysis of Oil Spill Information

Sea Grant

Seafood Safety

• When sensory tested samples are acceptable, verify sensory testing outcomes with chemical analyses.– Failed sensory: Closure– Passed sensory still meant chemical analysis

• There was no credible data to support claims made by some that seafood was tainted.

• Then why was it so difficult for some groups to believe that seafood was safe?

• Lingering questions about long-term impacts to fisheries.

It was really hard to resist the temptation to debate groups with different agendas

Finding Common Ground:Neutrality in Action

Coastal Tourism

• Tourism industry relied heavily on trajectory maps.

• Every day the prediction was missed negatively affected the tourism economy.

• Lingering questions about toxicity of tar balls, mats of submerged oil, hurricanes, disperants, etc.

Mental Health and Well-Being

Peer-to-Peer Listening

• Mr. Allen Kruse’s suicide on June 24, 2010.

• Regional program that evolved from Exxon Valdez

• Sea Grant, academia and mental health agencies partnership

• Trained more than 3000 peer-to-peer listeners

Conclusion

1. The legal structure of OPA and other authorities led to missed opportunities to use boundary organizations like Sea Grant and Land Grant.– However, GoMRI is taking advantage of Sea Grant Extension networks

with their research program.

2. It is not always the one in front of the camera that coastal residents go to for credible information.– Asked to validate every damming media story about fisheries or

tourism, regardless of the source.

3. Improve trajectory models4. Create Independent Seafood Safety Data Review Panel5. The claims process is still a common question asked by affected

industries.