Take a look back at the eventful year that was in the Urban Coast Institute's 2016 Annual Report. Learn about our innovative student-faculty research activities, coastal resilience initiatives, educational events, ocean exploration and planning work, and much more.


Members of the public are invited to enjoy the UCI's free on-campus Spring Film Series, featuring A Plastic Ocean on March 30, Ocean Frontiers III on April 6, and Les Saisons on April 13. All events are free and will be held in the Pozycki Hall Auditorium.

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reefs and fish

What makes fish feel at home around healthy coral reefs and avoid degraded ones? UCI Director Tony MacDonald has joined a research team dedicated to understanding the chemical cues that influence how fishes, corals and other organisms select a reef habitat.

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Once overfished to the point of near extinction, endangered Atlantic sturgeon are sometimes found in large numbers in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, although much remains unknown about their populations and behaviors. Now Monmouth University Assistant Professor Dr. Keith Dunton and students at the School of Science are working to build a greater understanding of one of the oldest fish species in the world.

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The Fairleigh S. Dickinson, Jr. Foundation has awarded the UCI a $75,000 grant that will support safe operation of UCI research vessels and provide Monmouth University students with new opportunities for field-based research and experiential learning. The funds will be used to support marine field research and cruises in connection with academic courses, independent study, and faculty and student research projects.

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scallops

The owners of the Point Pleasant fishing vessel Christian and Alexa recently welcomed the UCI's Karl Vilacoba aboard to observe a typical day at sea for an Ocean Stories feature on the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal. Follow along with Karl's trip diary and learn how scallops make it from the sea bed to your grocery store. Be sure to watch the Portal's signature scrolling data maps above for scientific insights on the journey.

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Ocean explorers need to think "beyond the ships" and plan ahead to an age of SuBastian and the Roboats - a new world of marine technology characterized by autonomy, sensors, precision, miniaturization, machine learning and artificial intelligence, telepresence, better forms of energy storage, and sharing to boost asset utilization. That's among the major recommendations emerging from the 2016 National Ocean Exploration Forum, "Beyond the Ships: 2020-2025," delivered in a final report released Feb. 20.

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UCI Director Tony MacDonald issued the following statement on the release of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative's (JOCI) Ocean Action Agenda. The report was developed with input from the UCI and JOCI Leadership Council members Monmouth University President Emeritus Vice Admiral (ret.) Paul Gaffney, UCI Ocean Policy Fellow, and former UCI Advisory Committee Member Mrs. Lillian Borrone.

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The resurgence of the Long Branch waterfront was one of several discussion topics at an Eminent Domain and the City conference held at Monmouth University. The conference examined the economic, political, environmental, social and cultural impacts of the use of eminent domain, particularly on cities trying to revitalize themselves.

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The UCI is now accepting proposals for student-faculty research projects through its Marine Science and Policy Initiative and Heidi Lynn Sculthorpe Summer Research Program. Funding is available to support activities by faculty and students from any school or department at Monmouth University, and interdisciplinary projects are encouraged.

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Monmouth University students - learn to use the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal to make ocean management decisions in this new fall course! The UCI is proud to serve as the project lead among a great team of partner organizations developing this rapidly growing and influential resource.

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UCI tees, hoodies and caps are perfect gifts for ocean lovers! Learn how to place your order here. Proceeds from all sales fund student research activities at Monmouth University.
MISSION: The Urban Coast Institute's mission is to serve Monmouth University and the public as a forum for research, education and collaboration in the development and implementation of science-based policies and programs that support stewardship of healthy, productive and resilient coastal ecosystems and communities.
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