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Seafood is everywhere along the New Hampshire coast. But for a lot of us, getting seafood onto the dinner table can feel a little intimidating.   Where can you find local seafood, and how do you know if it’s sustainable? How do you cook it? And what’s the proper way to prepare that filet of fish or raw shellfish once you bring it home? Luckily for you we've found the path of least resistance to getting started in the culinary world of seafood.    A new series of recipes and how-to videos from NH Sea Grant called Wildcat Kitchen aims to make local seafood more approachable. From instructional videos on how to shuck an oyster and filet a fish, to mouth-watering recipes that are cheap and simple, Wildcat Kitchen brings sustainable seafood to your kitchen!   Grab a seat at the table with host Brian Yurasits, for a roundtable discussion about seafood. It’s what’s for dinner.  Joining us at the dinner table are Leah Smutko, Lecturer of Culinary Nutrition at University of New Hampshire, and Zane Aguiar, EcoGastronomy Student at the University of New Hampshire. Leah and Zane will share why seafood is such an important part of our diet, and which seafood recipes might be the best for you to begin your coastal culinary journey. We’ve also invited Gabriela Bradt and Linas Kenter, who are both part of our Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture team here at NH Sea Grant, to explain the challenges we face in the Granite State when it comes to connecting consumers with local seafood producers. They also dive into some solutions, and yes, they involve lots of garlic and keeping a spare cooler in your car.   Grab a seat as we share our seafood stories.  A special thanks to Kylie Marozsan, NH Sea Grant Doyle Fellow, who helped film and produce Wildcat Kitchen. And to Mark Martin and Michael Coonfield, students at the University of New Hampshire, who helped to develop our first batch of recipes.  Full episode transcript is available below.  Guest Speakers:   Leah Smutko, Lecturer of Culinary Nutrition at University of New Hampshire  Zane Aguiar, EcoGastronomy Student at University of New Hampshire  Gabriela Bradt, Fisheries Extension Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant and UNH Extension  Linas Kenter, Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Scientist, New Hampshire Sea Grant and UNH  Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Produced by: Brian Yurasits  Further reading:  Wildcat Kitchen: https://seagrant.unh.edu/our-work/seafood/wildcat-kitchen-seafood-recipes NH Seafood Finder: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/886641190bd34494b0258fc680401bf1 Leah Smutko, University of New Hampshire: https://colsa.unh.edu/person/leah-smutko EcoGastronomy at University of New Hampshire: https://www.unh.edu/program/dual-major/ecogastronomy New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu  University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

You've probably heard the phrase “a rising tide lifts all ships”, but does this saying still hold true when rising water levels are threatening coastal buildings? Can flooding force us to rethink how we build and connect with the natural world around us?   Uncover lessons from the past in part-two of our podcast series discussing Strawbery Banke Museum’s Sea Level Rise Initiative. Previously, we heard about the unique history of Portsmouth and how coastal flooding threatens to wash away the neighborhood’s past. Today, we explore what it takes to protect a port city’s history, while writing the next chapter.   Up first, John Hyde, Director of Sustainability at Chapman Construction and Design, discusses the five lenses through which construction projects can look at sustainability. John also shares his ‘silver bullet’ solution to reducing carbon emissions while meeting the growing demand for development.   Next, Brian Murphy, Architect and Design Principal at Placework, discusses his idea of the farm-forest-city. Brian's hope for the future is simple, that the built environment connects us to nature rather than isolates us from it.   Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a historic site facing flood risks from rising seas, coastal storms and changing rainfall. Join host Brian Yurasits as he tries to envision what the Seacoast could look like 50 years into the future, if we get it right.   Full episode transcript is available below.  Guest Speakers:   John Hyde, Director of Sustainability, Chapman Construction and Design  Brian Murphy, Architect and Design Principal, Placework  Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Produced by: Brian Yurasits  Further reading:  New Hampshire Sea Grant Current Research: https://seagrant.unh.edu/resource/developing-water-level-sensor-monitoring-network-city-portsmouth-new-hampshire-build-community Strawbery Banke’s Sea Level Rise Initiative: https://www.strawberybanke.org/sea-level-rise Placework: https://placework.studio/ Chapman Construction/Design: https://www.chap-con.com/ Horsley Witten Group: https://horsleywitten.com/ Stimson: https://www.stimsonstudio.com/ Pozzotive: https://pozzotive.com/ Passive House Standards: https://www.phius.org/standards New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu  University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

How do you preserve the past when the future is getting wetter?  Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is facing this question as rising seas, coastal storms and changing rainfall increase the risk of flooding and water damage to its historic buildings.  On this episode of Time and Tide, hosts Brian Yurasits and Erik Chapman head to Portsmouth’s historic Puddle Dock to learn how Strawbery Banke is preparing for these changes.   First, Rodney Rowland, the museum’s Director of Environmental Sustainability, shares the history of the neighborhood and explains how this museum is using monitoring, planning, and nature-based solutions to build resilience. What lessons can we learn from the past as we try to protect this same history from a wetter future?   Next, volunteer Tamara Henderson takes us on a tour to explore rain gardens as a natural solution for stormwater management.  This is part one of a two-part episode about a group of people trying to preserve history in New Hampshire, while at the same time looking ahead at a flooded future. On our next episode, we speak with an architect and contractor working with Strawbery Banke and find out what it takes to actually build a better future in a port city.   Full episode transcript is available below.  Guest Speakers:   Rodney Rowland, Director of Environmental Sustainability, Strawbery Banke  Tamara Henderson, Volunteer, Strawbery Banke  Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Co-hosted by: Erik Chapman, Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant and UNH School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering  Produced by: Brian Yurasits  Further reading:  New Hampshire Sea Grant Current Research: https://seagrant.unh.edu/resource/developing-water-level-sensor-monitoring-network-city-portsmouth-new-hampshire-build-community Strawbery Banke Museum: https://www.strawberybanke.org/ Strawbery Banke’s Sea Level Rise Initiative: https://www.strawberybanke.org/sea-level-rise New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu  University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

If you could capture this moment along New Hampshire’s coast in one image, what might it look like? Maybe a quiet morning on a summer beach day, just before the crowds roll in and the roadwork begins. A farmers' market in a small New England town, with local seafood being sold to both transplants and generational granite staters. Or it could be an underwater snapshot of species old and new in an eelgrass meadow. One through line through all of these moments is that the Gulf of Maine is experiencing change from many angles.  Have you ever wondered what research is being done to study these changes along New Hampshire’s coast?  New Hampshire Sea Grant has recently awarded $1.2 million to fund six coastal research projects over the next two years. These projects, approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will address topics of particular importance to the state and region, including PFAS contamination, coastal flooding, seafood safety and management, salt marsh restoration, and the northward expansion of marine species.  On today’s episode of Time and Tide, guest host Kylie Marozsan will be breaking down these research projects into bite-sized stories, with a roundtable of our New Hampshire Sea Grant team.   Guests Erik Chapman, Lindsey Williams, and Steve Jones relate these six research projects to the experiences of anyone who lives, works, or plays along the seacoast. Learn why they are optimistic that these changes might also bring opportunity.  Full episode transcript is available below. Guest Speakers:   Dr. Erik Chapman, Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant and UNH School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering  Dr. Lindsey Williams, Associate Director and Assistant Director for Workforce Development, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Dr. Steve Jones, Associate Director and Assistant Director for Research, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Hosted by: Kylie Marozsan, Science Communication Doyle Fellow, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Produced by: Brian Yurasits  Further reading:  New Hampshire Sea Grant Current Research: https://seagrant.unh.edu/research/current-research Biennial Request for Proposals: https://seagrant.unh.edu/funding/biennial-request-proposals New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu  University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

You've probably seen the signs along New Hampshire’s coast. A road that floods more often than it used to. A marsh creeping inland. A king tide that leaves water where no one expected it.   A new report highlights the latest science around flooding in New Hampshire.   On this episode of Time and Tide, you’ll hear from the experts behind this science report, as they explain key findings concerning rainfall, groundwater, coastal storms, and sea level rise.  The future may look wetter, but it’s not all doom and gloom on the horizon. As you’ll hear, better science can help us adapt together.  We divided this episode into four parts:  Part 1: When it rains, it pours. Dr. Mary Stampone explains how our winters and springs are becoming wetter.  Part 2: The unseen changes happening under our feet. Learn how warmer weather and intruding saltwater are changing the groundwater we drink, with Dr. Jayne Knott.  Part 3: Storms of the future. What are the three types of coastal storms that produce flooding in New Hampshire, and how can science help us adapt to them? Kirk Bosma shares his hope that knowledge can help us make better decisions today that could keep us dry in the future.  Part 4: In too deep. The tides are slowly becoming higher, but Anna Simpson believes that we can shape a better future through good science.  After this crash course with the experts on how our water cycle is changing, you can read the full report and explore what the science says specific to where you live in New Hampshire.  Full episode transcript is available below.   Guest Speakers:   Lisa Wise, Science Report Coordinator, NH Sea Grant and UNH Extension  Dr. Mary Stampone, Associate Professor of Geography, University of New Hampshire and New Hampshire State Climatologist  Dr. Jayne Knott, Principal, HydroPredictions  Kirk Bosma, Vice President and Coastal Engineer, Woods Hole Group and Engineering Director, Stone Living Lab  Anna Simpson, Coastal Resilience Manager, NERACOOS  Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Produced by: Brian Yurasits  Further reading:  New Hampshire Coastal Flood Risk Summary: https://www.des.nh.gov/water/coastal-waters/coastal-flood-risk NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup: https://www.nhcaw.org/ New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu  University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

Lobster buoys and traps are a common sight along New Hampshire’s rocky coastline, but did you know it’s illegal for the public to touch them? They’re a form of marine debris that wash in after strong coastal storms, and once each year the fishing industry gathers for a state-wide beach cleanup to remove them.  In this episode of Time and Tide, we’re exploring the issue of derelict fishing gear on New Hampshire’s coastline. Also referred to as lost or abandoned fishing gear, these buoys, traps, and ropes can become navigational hazards in the ocean and pose risks to wildlife. Join us as we learn why no fisherman wants to lose a lobster trap at sea, what steps this industry is taking to be stewards of granite state waters, and why everyone should participate in a local beach cleanup.   In Act 1, join us at the harbor with Damon Frampton, a local lobster fisherman and participant in this year’s annual lobster trap cleanup, who describes why it’s important to him as a fisher to help clean the beach.  In Act 2, our very own Gabby Bradt helps us to take a step back and understand the broader issue of marine debris on New Hampshire’s coastline, and how lost or abandoned fishing gear fits into this puzzle.  In our final Act, Renee Zobel from NH Fish and Game explains why it’s illegal for any member of the public to touch a lobster trap. And how fishermen are working to address some of the challenges we saw during this coastal cleanup.  Full episode transcript is available below.   Guest Speakers:   Damon Frampton, Commercial Lobster Fisherman and President of the New Hampshire Commercial Fisherman’s Association  Gabriela Bradt, Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant and UNH Extension  Renee Zobel, Chief of Marine Fisheries, New Hampshire Fish and Game  Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Co-Hosted by: Erik Chapman, Executive Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Produced by: Brian Yurasits  Further reading:  New Hampshire Lobster Trap Cleanup: https://nhfishgame.com/2026/03/23/nh-coastal-lobster-trap-cleanup-scheduled-for-saturday-april-18/ Blue Ocean Society 2025 Beach Cleanup Data: https://www.blueoceansociety.org/cleanup-data/ Blue Ocean Society Beach Cleanup Calendar: https://www.blueoceansociety.org/calendar/ Surfrider Foundation New Hampshire Chapter: https://nh.surfrider.org/ New Hampshire Fish and Game Marine Laws and Rules: https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/saltwater-fisheries-new-hampshire/marine-laws-and-rules Contact New Hampshire Fish and Game: https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/contact-new-hampshire-fish-and-game Derelict Fishing Gear – NOAA's Marine Debris Program: https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/what-marine-debris/derelict-fishing-gear New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu  University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

Spring is in the air. As the days get longer and plants emerge from thawed soil, big landscaping decisions loom ahead. What plants should you add or remove from your yard this year? Are there any big landscaping projects that you’re feeling brave enough to tackle? But for every landscaping decision you make, there is one thing you should consider: clean water.  In this episode of Time and Tide, we’re following the journey of a water droplet to learn how landscaping decisions that you make on your property can affect the health of local water bodies. In this story, that water can either sink slowly into the ground as nature intended or attain a need for speed as it flows across hard, man-made surfaces, picking up contaminants along the way.   Today, we're helping you make Spring landscaping decisions with clean water in mind. We’ll focus on a recent training hosted for landscaping professionals, called Landscaping for Water Quality, and the lessons learned about designing landscapes that are attractive, ecologically functional, and healthy for local water bodies.      In Act 1, we speak with Amy Papineau from UNH Cooperative Extension who explains why blueberry plants are a delicious and sustainable addition to your backyard. We’ll dig into the science behind soil in the Granite State, which is more complex than you’d think, and leave you with the base of plant knowledge to impress any horticulturist.  In Act 2, Julia Peterson from NH Sea Grant digs into why it can be so tough to find science-backed answers in a world of information overload. Cut through the nonsense with us and find the reliable answers you’re looking for, through a little thing called ‘extension’.   Finally, we hear from local landscapers who participated in this year’s Landscaping for Water Quality training. Is there a market for more sustainable landscaping practices, and is it possible to have a beautiful yard that also helps wildlife? Full episode transcript is available below. Guest Speakers:  Amy Papineau, Extension Field Specialist in Landscape and Greenhouse Horticulture, UNH Cooperative Extension Food & Agriculture Program  Julia Peterson, Extension Program Leader, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Daisy Chinburg, Designer, Site Structures Landscape  Patrick Shannon, Miracle Farms Landscaping  Timothy Sicard, Town of Hampton Falls, NH  Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Co-Hosted by: Erik Chapman, Executive Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Produced by: Brian Yurasits Further reading:  New Hampshire Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater Management: https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/2020-01/homeowner-guide-stormwater.pdf Directory of Landscape Professionals Trained in Ecological Landscaping for Water Quality Protection: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/directory-landscape-professionals-trained-ecological-landscaping-water-quality-protection Landscaping for Water Quality 2026: https://extension.unh.edu/event/2026/03/landscaping-water-quality Green Grass and Clear Water: https://seagrant.unh.edu/our-work/water-quality/water-quality-lawn-care-outreach-materials New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu  University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

A century ago, vast reefs of Eastern Oysters, Crassostrea virginica, stretched across Great Bay cleaning the water, sheltering fish, and forming one of New Hampshire’s most important coastal habitats. Today, a fraction of those wild oyster beds remains. But across the bay, a quiet movement is underway to bring them back one shell and a few baby oysters at a time.  In this episode of Time and Tide, we’re focusing on a small animal with an outsized impact, the Eastern Oyster. We’ll start with the basics: what oysters are, how they live, and why they matter so much to estuaries like Great Bay. From there, we look back in time at the natural history of oysters in granite state waters, to understand why they’ve experienced a 90% decline.  But don't worry, this is ultimately a story about restoration. Brianna Group and Kelsey Meyer from The Nature Conservancy describe how in classic New Hampshire fashion, people from all walks of life are working together to see oysters thrive. Researchers, farmers, volunteers, restaurants, nonprofits, and consumers are all part of the restoration equation.   Some of these oyster restoration projects are big, requiring a football field worth of oyster shells. Dave Beattie and Dale Pike from the Coastal Conservation Association of New Hampshire explain how restaurants can turn their waste into the foundation for tomorrow’s reefs.  In the final act of this story, we hear why restoring wild oysters matters to two sisters working in the oyster business. Laura Brown and Krystin Ward are part of this restoration network and enjoy being able to provide their large, ‘ugly’ oysters for a greater purpose.   Full episode transcript is available below.   Guest Speakers:   Kelsey Meyer-Rust, Ph.D., Coastal Conservation Coordinator, The Nature Conservancy New Hampshire  Brianna Group, Great Bay Program Manager, The Nature Conservancy New Hampshire  Capt. David Beattie, Oyster Recycling Coordinator, Coastal Conservation Association  Dale Pike, Secretary, Coastal Conservation Association and Ocean Conservationist Volunteer with the Nature Conservancy  Laura Brown, Owner and Operator, Fox Point Oysters  Krystin Ward, Laboratory Research Supervisor at the UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture and Owner of Choice Oysters  Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Co-Hosted by: Erik Chapman, Executive Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Produced by: Brian Yurasits  Further reading:  Restoring Oyster Reefs in New Hampshire’s Great Bay – The Nature Conservancy  Oyster Recycling Project  - Coastal Conservation Association  New Hampshire Sea Grant – Oyster Aquaculture  Fox Point Oysters - Laura Brown  Choice Oysters - Krystin Ward  University of New Hampshire Oyster Research  New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu  University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

Here in New England, Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) is woven into the fabric of our coastal history. For centuries, this species has fueled economies, fed communities, and even left its mark on the map — a testament to the powerful connection between cod and the region it helped define.  But just as cod shaped New England, human activity has shaped cod.  Today, this historically significant fishery is tightly regulated in an effort to rebuild depleted stocks. And yet, effective management depends on understanding something researchers are still uncovering: not all cod are the same.  In this episode of Time and Tide, we explore how scientists, fishers, and managers are rethinking what we know about Atlantic Cod in the Gulf of Maine. Managing fisheries has often been compared to managing a forest, except the trees are invisible and constantly on the move. When it comes to cod, that challenge is even more complex.  Researchers at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) are leading a Sea Grant–funded study examining two distinct stocks of Atlantic Cod in the western Gulf of Maine. Principal Investigator Adrienne Kovach and Co-Investigator Linas Kenter share how winter-spawning and spring-spawning cod differ biologically, and why those differences matter as ocean temperatures change.  In Act Two, we hear from longtime fisherman David Goethel, who brings decades of experience on the water to the conversation. He reflects on how groundfishing in the Gulf of Maine has changed over time and why collaboration between scientists and fishermen is critical to sustaining both the resource and the communities that depend on it.  Finally, Renee Zobel, Marine Program Supervisor with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, connects the dots. What do these scientific discoveries mean for the future of fisheries management in New England, and how can management respond to a changing ocean?  Whether you cast a line offshore or order a fish sandwich at your favorite local spot, this episode dives into more than cod biology. It’s a story about the enduring ties between coastal communities and the sea.  Guest Speakers:   Linas Kenter, Ph.D., Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Scientist, New Hampshire Sea Grant and University of New Hampshire  Adrienne Kovach, Ph.D., Professor Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire  David Goethel, Commercial Fisherman, Research Biologist and Fisheries Manager  Renee Zobel, Marine Program Supervisor, New Hampshire Fish and Game  Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Co-Hosted by: Erik Chapman, Executive Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Produced by: Brian Yurasits  Further reading:  Understanding differential climatic and exploitative impacts on two Atlantic cod stocks in the western Gulf of Maine  Endangered Species: Chronicles of the Life of a New England Fisherman and the F/V Ellen Diane  Atlantic Cod – NOAA Species Directory  New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu  University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

In part two of this month's two-part series on surfing in New Hampshire, we explore how the sport of surfing can create community, a sense of responsibility to protect the natural world, and monetary value for coastal towns. What is the value of clean water? And just because you surf, does that mean you’re more likely to support healthy coastal ecosystems?  Becs O’Brien and Christina Dubin are two surfer friends who have formed a community of female surfers along the seacoast and are actively involved with marine conservation organizations, including Surfrider New Hampshire and Beyond Plastics. In an age where our screen-time is quickly outpacing our face-time with one another, we discuss how the antidote might just be something as simple as floating on boards with friends in the ocean. Becs and Christina also share their thoughts on how to meaningfully engage the surfing community with the issues facing our coast.    Last but not least, Scott Lemos, a Research Economist and Senior Lecturer at University of New Hampshire, gives us a lesson on surf-onomics. How much money is clean water worth, and how can a sport like surfing impact a local economy? Scott also coins the term ‘positive localism’ as we speak about how surfing can become less extractive from the natural world and leave people with a lasting connection to the natural world instead.    Full episode transcript is available below. Guest Speakers:   Becs O’Brien, Volunteer, Surfrider New Hampshire  Christina Dubin, Major Gifts Manager, Beyond Plastics  Scott Lemos, Research Economist and Senior Lecturer, University of New Hampshire  Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Co-hosted by: Erik Chapman, Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Produced by: Brian Yurasits  Further reading Surfrider New Hampshire  Beyond Plastics  Scott Lemos’ Research  New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu  University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

Surfing has become an increasingly popular way to recreate here along the seacoast, and across the US as a whole. During the summer, it’s hard to drive anywhere without seeing a longboard strapped to the roof of a fellow commuter’s car.    But why has surfing become so popular in recent years? From 2019 to 2020, the surfing population in the US grew an astounding 28 percent, and over the past five years the sport has experienced 8% average annual growth.  On this month’s two-part episode of Time and Tide, we’re paddling into the lineup with local legends of surfing to look back at the sport’s past along NH’s coastline, attempt to understand who today’s cold-water surfers are, and unpack what coastal issues New Hampshire surfers care about most?   In part one, we paint a picture of what surfing’s past and present looks like along the seacoast. We kick things off with Ralph Fatello, a local photographer and surfer who runs a weekly surfing blog called Ralph’s Pic of the Week and has been doing so for the past 21 years. Ralph has been surfing and photographing New Hampshire waves since the 60’s, and has seen the sport, and how surfers are using our coast, change through time. Next, Brayden Rudert shares his perspective from the water angle. Brayden is a professional photographer who helps shed light on what surfing culture looks like today, and how surfing can connect coastal communities with the ocean. We dig into the question of whether a connection to the ocean through surfing is enough to inspire surfers to protect these coastal places.  Full episode transcript is available below.  Guest Speakers: Ralph Fatello, Surfer and Photographer, Ralph’s Pic of the Week  Brayden Rudert, Surfer and Photographer, Vision Lagoon  Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Co-hosted by: Erik Chapman, Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Produced by: Brian Yurasits  Further reading:  Ralph’s Pic of the Week (Blog)  Follow Ralph on Instagram  Follow Brayden on Instagram  Brayden’s Photography – Vision Lagoon  Surfrider New Hampshire  New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu  University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

From major storms to daily tides, the sandy shores of New Hampshire are constantly moving — gaining sand in some places and losing it in others. But how do scientists and volunteers actually track those changes over time?   In this episode of Time and Tide, we dig into the world of beach profiling — a simple yet powerful method that measures the contour of the shoreline month after month to reveal patterns of erosion and accretion along our coast. By taking regular measurements of beach elevation and slope, the NH Volunteer Beach Profile Monitoring Program contributes to long-term coastal monitoring efforts that inform local decision-making, coastal resilience planning, and scientific research.   Learn how citizen scientists — also referred to as participatory scientists — use two measuring poles to collect this important data, while researchers interpret the meaning of this for your favorite New Hampshire beaches.   What better way to explain beach profiling, than to take you for a walk along the beach in Seabrook, NH, where a small group of researchers and volunteer citizen scientists meet on a windy winter day to measure the beach.Guest Speakers:   Alyson Eberhardt, Ph.D., Coastal Ecosystems Extension Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Larry Ward, Ph.D., Research Associate Professor, UNH Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping  Wells Costello, Citizen Science Program Manager, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Rachel Morrison, Research Assistant, UNH Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping  Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Produced by: Brian Yurasits  Further reading:  Beach Resilience Data  Citizen Science in Shifting Sands (StoryMap)  Storm Report Series  New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu  University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

For those who can’t imagine a day without the smell of salt air, the rumble of waves, or the chatter of gulls overhead, a coastal career feels like a natural calling. But knowing you belong near the ocean isn’t the same as knowing where you fit within it—and the world of marine careers is far more diverse than many people realize.  In this episode of Time and Tide, we dive into the many paths available in marine science, policy, and education. Whether you’re a student just starting to explore your options or a professional looking to pivot into coastal work, we offer practical guidance for navigating the opportunities along New Hampshire’s small—but mighty—stretch of coastline. We also highlight the training programs and graduate pathways within the Granite State that can launch careers nationwide.  Act 1: We speak with Lindsey Williams, New Hampshire Sea Grant's very own workforce development expert, who helps us give career advice to four imaginary students facing very real decisions. From hands-on science roles to community-focused education jobs, Lindsey helps untangle what matters most when choosing a coastal career path.  Act 2: Next, we head to Washington, D.C., for a conversation with Ana Silverio and Elizabeth “Lizzy” Martin, two current Knauss Marine Policy Fellows. Ana and Lizzy share what it’s like to transition from fieldwork to grant-making and policy roles, offer insight into working across political divides, and reflect on the value of sitting down for a “coffee chat” with colleagues.  Full episode transcript is available below.   Guest Speakers:   Lindsey Williams, Ph.D., Associate Director & Assistant Director for Workforce Development, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Ana Silverio, Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Lizzy Martin, Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Co-Hosted by: Erik Chapman, Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Produced by: Brian Yurasits  Further reading:  Doyle Undergraduate Fellowship  Graduate Student Fellowships  University of New Hampshire Professional Development and Training  University of New Hampshire Career and Internship Fair  New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu  University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement

Show notes:   Beneath the thin blue line of the ocean’s surface lies an underwater meadow of grass. In Great Bay and coastal New Hampshire, these flowing fields of green are nurseries for young fish, an anchor for sediments, and a sign that our ecosystems are healthy. However, these life-supporting aquatic pastures face new threats. Here, in the constantly moving waters where rivers meet the sea, scientists, students, and communities are working together to bring back one of New Hampshire’s most vital—but also fragile—coastal habitats: eelgrass.  These underwater meadows once stretched far and wide across the bay, but recently, storms, changing water temperatures, and pollution are having an impact on our local eelgrass species, Zostera marina.   A new restoration project—backed by local towns, oyster farmers, and researchers at the University of New Hampshire—is testing innovative ways to help these plants return and thrive. From transplanting shoots to exploring seed-based restoration, the work happening here could shape the future of eelgrass recovery across the country.  Act 1: What’s slender like an eel, and requires clear, cold water to thrive? Explore eelgrass 101 with Trevor Mattera, Habitat Program Manager with the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP), as he takes us through the past, present, and future of Zostera marina in New Hampshire waters.   Act 2: Strap on your snorkel and float through an eelgrass meadow with Matthew Allen, New Hampshire Sea Grant’s Undergraduate Doyle Fellow, who spent this past summer spending as much time as humanly possible in a wetsuit, assisting Trevor and the team at PREP with their Great Bay Estuary Oyster & Eelgrass Restoration project. Experience a day in the life working to restore eelgrass and hear a harrowing story about mating horseshoe crabs.  Act 3: You can’t have thriving eelgrass without clean water. Gretchen Young, the Deputy Director of Technical Services at the City of Rochester, New Hampshire, explains how this restoration project came to be funded, and why municipalities are joining forces to address nitrogen pollution in Great Bay.   Guest Speakers:   Trevor Mattera, Ph.D., Coastal Ecosystems Extension Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Matthew Allen, Undergraduate Doyle Fellow, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Gretchen Young, Deputy Director of Technical Services, City of Rochester, New Hampshire  Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Co-Hosted by: Erik Chapman, Director, New Hampshire Sea Grant  Produced by: Brian Yurasits  Further reading:  Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership  Doyle Undergraduate Fellowship  Municipal Alliance for Adaptive Management  New Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu  The Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP) is a collaboration-driven, local organization and National Estuary Program. Through community collaboration with NH and Southern ME Towns, researchers, and local organizations, they work to monitor, restore, and protect the health of the lakes, rivers, streams, and the Great Bay and Hampton-Seabrook estuaries in the Piscataqua Region Watershed.  The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. Direct inquiries to [email protected].

New Hampshire’s coastal dunes are a natural shield—absorbing storm surges, protecting coastal communities, and providing critical habitat for wildlife. Dunes are highly dynamic systems and are no stranger to change, however these habitats face new pressures as we develop and ‘harden’ our coastline. Thankfully, researchers, community leaders, and volunteers are working together to plant and restore native dune grass. Show notes:   New Hampshire’s coastal dunes are a natural shield—absorbing storm surges, protecting coastal communities, and providing critical habitat for wildlife. Dunes are highly dynamic systems and are no stranger to change, however these habitats face new pressures as we develop and ‘harden’ our coastline, in the context of a rapidly changing Gulf of Maine. Thankfully, researchers, community leaders, and volunteers are working together to plant and restore native beachgrass, Ammophila breviligulata. Act 1: What's the difference between beachgrass and seagrass? How much dune habitat exists in the Granite State's short stretch of coastline? And why aren't our dune habitats thriving as they should be? Alyson Eberhardt, the Coastal Ecosystems Extension Specialist at New Hampshire Sea Grant, helps us answer all of these questions, while telling a story of the Common Garden. Like any good community garden, this space brings people together under a shared purpose. Act 2: The town of Hampton, New Hampshire sits at the center of this sandy conversation. Intense storms and flooding events have prompted homeowners and beachgoers in this popular beach town to seek solutions. Brianna Hagan, Conservation Coordinator at the Town of Hampton, knows that since we can't control the ocean, that her town has important decisions to make for the future. But sometimes the simplest place to start is with a shovel and a plant.  Act 3: People from all crosswalks of life come together on a cold April morning at Plaice Cove in Hampton, New Hampshire to transform a stretch of coastline. Chris Grippo, Chair of Surfrider Foundation's New Hampshire Chapter, and Patty McKenzie, a local homeowner, take a moment between getting their hands sandy to describe why planting beachgrass gives them hope. Guest Speakers:  Alyson Eberhardt, Ph.D., Coastal Ecosystems Extension Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant Brianna Hagan, Conservation Coordinator at the Town of Hampton Chris Grippo, Chair of the Surfrider Foundation New Hampshire Chapter Patty McKenzie, Resident of Hampton, New Hampshire Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant Produced by: Brian Yurasits Further reading: Common Garden of Native Sand Dune PlantsDune RestorationCoastal Research VolunteersSurfrider Foundation New Hampshire ChapterNew Hampshire Sea Grant works to enhance our relationship with the coastal environment to sustain healthy and resilient ecosystems, economies, and communities through integrated research, extension, education, and communications efforts. Based at the University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Sea Grant is one of 34 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program, a state-federal partnership serving America’s coasts. Learn more by visiting: seagrant.unh.edu University of New Hampshire is an equal opportunity employer, learn more: https://extension.unh.edu/civil-rights-statement