On February 21, 2011, Connecticut Sea Grant held a briefing on a marine invasive species outreach project undertaken in collaboration with Divisions 7, 24 and 25 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Coast Guard Sea Partners Program. Captain Joseph M. Vojvodich, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound was among the attendees. Connecticut Sea Grant Associate Director and Project PI Nancy Balcom recognized several individuals for helping to educate marine boaters and anglers about invasive species and the steps they can take to minimize the risk that their recreational activities lead to the introduction or spread of aquatic invasive species in Long Island Sound. Members of the Auxiliary shared messages and materials about invasive species while conducting courtesy vessel inspections. Among the project partners recognized were Bill Nelson of the Marine Safety Detachment on Long Island, MST1 Micheal Lake of Sector LIS, Ginny Lovas and Bill Ensign from Division 7, Mark Bennett of Division 24, and Mike Headd of Division 25.

The outreach program also involved ten bait retailers, several marinas, staff from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and New York Sea Grant. Funded by the EPA Long Island Sound Study through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the project will continue in 2012.

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