Scsgc Logo

Board Minutes – September 29, 2023

South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium Board of Directors Meeting
S.C. Department of Natural Resources Marine Division Headquarters Conference Room
Charleston, S.C.

Present at the Board Meeting were:

In-Person Attendees

  • Dr. Robert Jones – Clemson University

  • Mr. Robert Boyles – SC Department of Natural Resources

  • Dr. Geoff Scott – University of South Carolina

  • Dr. Alex Alekseyenko – Medical University of South Carolina

  • Mr. Travis Overton – Coastal Carolina University

  • Ms. Blaik Keppler – SC Department of Natural Resources

  • Dr. Susan Lovelace – South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium

  • Mr. Louis D. Heyward – South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium

  • Mr. Ryan Bradley – South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium

  • Mr. Matt Gordstein – South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium

  • Mr. Landon Knapp – South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium

  • Dr. Brita Jessen – South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium

  • Ms. Caitlin Bolger – South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium

  • Ms. Brooke Saari – South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium

Virtual Attendees

  • Dr. Darin Zimmerman – The Citadel
  • Ms. Lisa Pike – Francis Marion University
  • Ms. Susannah Sheldon – South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium

Meeting Minutes

The fall 2023 meeting of the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium (SCSGC) Board of Directors was called to order at 10:08 by Chairman, Dr. Robert Jones. In his opening remarks, Dr. Jones welcomed all attendees and indicated that the SCSGC board meeting is one of his favorite meetings to attend, and one that he looks forward to every year. Once again, Dr. Jones spoke of the uniqueness of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium. He expounded on the vast experience of SCSGC in outreach, teaching, and the supporting of research. Dr. Jones noted that he continues to be proud of what has been accomplished by the Agency, and that he was looking forward to the reports that were about to be presented.  Following the comments by Chairman Jones, attendees were welcomed to the Department of Natural Resources’ Marine Resources Division (MRD) by Vice Chairman Mr. Robert Boyles, and both Mr. Boyles and Dr. Jones thanked MRD Deputy Director Blaik Keppler for hosting and accommodating the Board.

Following introductions of all in-person and virtual attendees and with the establishment of a quorum, it was moved by Mr. Boyles and seconded by Dr. Geoff Scott to adopt the agenda as presented. In reference to the agenda, Chairman Jones requested that for future board meetings, we ensure that the various sections of the briefing book be tabbed to correspond with the agenda, thereby aiding in the organization of the meeting proceedings.

Before the minutes of the September  2022 Board of Directors meeting were approved, Dr. Jones indicated the need for the Board leadership succession process (i.e. the vice chairman automatically moving to the chairman position at the completion of the chairman’s term) be clearly defined in the bylaws. Dr. Jones indicated this easy fix would be finalized at this current meeting.

With there being no further discussions or questions regarding the minutes, it was moved by Mr. Boyles and seconded by Dr. Scott to approve the minutes.

Business of the Board was conducted as follows:

Executive Director, Dr. Lovelace reported on the state of the Consortium. In her report, Dr. Lovelace reiterated the mission of the Consortium and indicated that we accomplish the fulfillment of our mission through our engagement with the community. Dr. Lovelace echoed the uniqueness of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium being that we are a consortium of 9 entities working together seamlessly. She also noted that with the recent addition of Guam, there are now 34 Sea Grant programs nationwide. She stated that the Agency was in the beginning stages of working in accordance with the new 4-year Strategic Plan, which was previously approved by the Board. Dr. Lovelace noted that during this new Strategic Plan, there would be a more conscientious effort to reach out to some of the smaller colleges and universities and to some of the HBCUs in the state, as well as to more rural and smaller communities for collaboration.

Dr. Lovelace announced the 2024 National Site Review, and said she would notify the Board as soon as she has confirmation for that meeting.

Notable statistics summarized by Dr. Lovelace included:

  • 95 impacts and accomplishments this year.
  • 2M in total economic benefit
  • 4 Coastal businesses created or sustained
  • The training of 269 realtors resulting in an economic benefit of $15,495.00 (training done in conjunction with DNR and other partners)
  • 75% rate of acceptance for proposals submitted for funding (equating to over $8.5M)
  • The conclusion of the biennial omnibus research competition
  • 228 jobs created in the state because of our work

Following the extensive report by Dr. Lovelace, Mr. Matt Gorstein gave updates on the many projects and accomplishments of the Extension Department. Mr. Gorstein summarized accomplishments as they related to four of the Agency’s core focus areas. These included:

  • Healthy Coastal Ecosystems
    • Water Chats
    • Water Quality Monitoring Program
    • Healthy Pond Series
    • Emerging Contaminants Research Program.
  • Sustainable Coastal Development and Economy
    • Gullah Geechee Seafood Trail
    • Clean Marina Program (4 marinas were re-certified as clean marinas)
    • S.C. Nature-Based Tourism Program
    • Calling the Coast Home – Realtors Program (winner of the 2022 Superior Outreach Program Award [SOPA])
  • Fisheries and Aquaculture
    • Investigations into impacts on shrimp populations due to climate change
    • Workforce training
    • Aquaculture toolkit
    • Lowcountry Shrimp Collaborative
    • South Carolina Red Snapper Count
    • Investigation of Vibrio levels in oyster cages based on cage-flipping intervals
  • Scientific Literacy
    • PEEC Program (certification for K-12 educators)
    • Seeds to Shoreline
    • Minorities in Aquaculture (secured NOAA funding for women of color who are interested in the field of aquaculture)
    • Beach Sweep/River Sweep (routinely mobilizing an average of 4,800 volunteers)
    • Salt marsh restoration

Mr. Gorstein also elaborated on several Extension-related achievements and programs, including:

  • The Seafood Workforce Training Program (Commercial Seafood Apprenticeship Program)
  • The Marine Debris Project (identifying ways to reduce the use of plastics as well as investigating the use of alternative materials).
    • Trawl to Trash
    • Gullah/Geechee CREATE

Continuing the Agencies accomplishments, Mr. Landon Knapp recapped activities surrounding involving Weather Climate Resilience, which is the Agency’s last focus area. Projects and activities in this focus area included:

  • The Thin Layer Placement project
  • Kids Teaching Flood Resilience
  • S.C. Coastal Community Collaborative
  • Beaufort Adapts
  • CoastSnap
  • Project Sentinel
  • Coastal Resilience Collective
  • Assessing the feasibility of buyout programs
  • Climate and Equity pilot focusing on heat
  • Resilience planning and vulnerability assessment
  • Southeast Water Level Network

Dr. Geoff Scott commended the team for their work with the water level sensors, noting their importance and the level of interest surrounding them. Further discussions ensued regarding water level monitoring, and the members present agreed that this is a valuable tool and stressed the need for as much modeling as possible is needed on this subject.

Dr. Alex Alekseyenko commented on the amount of work being done in the area of resilience. While noting the need to integrate more of the health systems in climate actions, Dr. Alekseyenko acknowledged that MUSC has been involved in the Heat Study, but he also mentioned that it is hard to get people engaged in this topic. He suggested engaging with the College of Health Professions for partnerships on this topic.

In addressing the previously discussed economic impact numbers, Dr. Scott inquired if the impacts on mental health were included in those numbers. Mr. Gorstein responded that that number is relatively small, and both he and Dr. Lovelace welcomed suggestions on how to accurately capture those impacts.

Continuing the summary of Sea Grant activities, Dr. Lovelace updated The Board on SCSGC’s  Coastal Heritage Magazine, our mini websites, and our ever-growing social media presence.

Speaking on behalf of Research and Fellowships Coordinator Ms. Susannah Sheldon, Dr. Lovelace noted that the Agency continues to recruit and support students in the form of our various internships, fellowships, and scholars’ programs. She highlighted the Minorities in Aquaculture Internship, the Community Engaged Internship Program, the Kathryn Sullivan Earth and Marine Scholars Program, and the Margaret Davidson Scholars Program.

Dr. Lovelace also presented statistics regarding the numbers of Knauss Fellows (62), Sullivan Awardees (15), and Coastal Management Fellows (20) that have been sponsored by SCSGC to date.

Dr. Brita Jessen updated The Board on the Agency’s Research and Partnerships initiatives. She summarized the recently held Blue Carbon Law Symposium and announced the launch of the Southeastern and Caribbean Blue Carbon Portal. Dr. Jessen also announced the upcoming

Forested Wetlands Symposium hosted at the College of Charleston (March 2024), and the Research Symposium hosted by Coastal Carolina University (May 2024). Additionally, Ms. Brooke Saari announced the Microplastics Research Conference hosted by MRD (February 2024).

Reporting on financial matters of the agency, Mr. Ryan Bradley noted that the agency is doing well financially and stated that $8.5 million dollars had been secured during FY2022-23. This dollar amount included:

  • $1,514.692.00 – Annual Federal resources
  • $3,116,550.00 – Federal and non-Federal grants
  • $11,725.00 – Federal program resources
  • $977,879.00 – State appropriated funds

Mr. Bradley also noted a budget request for funds to 1) solidify 2 FTE positions, and 2) reclassify two positions which would allow those programs to expand.

Mr. Bradley informed the Board that a state audit was conducted, and no findings or significant issues were reported by the auditors.

Chairman Jones commended Mr. Bradley and the agency on the robustness of their financial state, and further commended SCSGC for being proactive and ensuring they maintain a 10% buffer of funds to carry over.

In other business, Vice Chair Scott recommended the staff consider publishing proceedings from the semiannual Research Symposium in the Clemson Journal. Additionally, Dr. Alex Alekseyonko requested more representation on certain topics in the Omnibus. Dr. Alekseyonko and Dr. Lovelace agreed to engage in further discussions regarding this request.

Following the summaries and reports from Sea Grant staff, Chairman Jones thanked all staff for the work they are doing, and once again commended Dr. Lovelace and the entire Sea Grant staff on their hard work and successes. Dr. Jones then offered his sincere gratitude to the Board for their work and for allowing him to serve as chair. He further noted that S.C. Sea Grant and the Board, collectively, are well ahead of the curve on many of the state’s prevalent coastal environmental issues and thanked everyone for serving the state of South Carolina well.

Dr. Jones then asked the Board to ensure sure the Bylaws are updated and suggested they be activated immediately for the nomination of Vice Chairman Robert Boyles as the new Board chair. Dr. Geoff Scott seconded the nomination of Mr. Boyles as Chair. With no other nominations on the floor, it was moved by Mr. Travis Overton and seconded by Dr. Scott to close the nominations. Both motions carried unanimously, and Mr. Boyles was elected chair of the SC Sea Grant Board of Directors.

Before nominations for the vice chair, Dr. Jones noted that Board Members from USC, S.C. State, and Clemson have served in that position, and he thinks the leadership should rotate, provided the individual is not directly getting funds from Sea Grant. He encouraged members from the other institutions to consider serving in the vice chair position and indicated that members could self-nominate if they felt the urge to serve. Mr. Boyles echoed the sentiments of  “sharing the wealth” when it came to leading the Board.

After some discussion, it was moved by Mr. Overton and seconded by Dr. Alex Alekseyonko that Dr. Geoff Scott serve as the Board’s Vice Chairman. This motion carried, and Dr. Scott was welcomed as the new Vice Chair for the S.C. Sea Grant Board of Directors.

With there being no further business, Dr. Jones once again gave final words of gratitude to all in attendance and suggested the Board convene its Executive Session.

With no business to discuss following the Executive Session, the meeting was adjourned at 10:42 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Louis D. Heyward, Sr.

Board of Directors