Groton ― Connecticut Sea Grant has been awarded two federal grants, each valued at $425,000, to continue is aquaculture initiatives.

The awards were announced Thursday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant Program as part of $14 million in funding to improve U.S. aquaculture. A total of 24 projects were selected.

One of the Sea Grant projects receiving funding focuses on creating new shellfish aquaculture information tools while the second supports the National Seaweed Hub’s efforts to support the growth of the seaweed industry.

Both are regional two-year projects involving multiple Sea Grant programs, with Tessa Getchis and Anoushka Concepcion, CT Sea Grant aquaculture extension educators, heading the partnerships.

Getchis is leading the project titled, “Advancing Southern New England Shellfish Aquaculture Through an Engaged Public and Next Generation Decision Support Tools” with Sea Grant colleagues in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Roger Williams University. Concepcion is leading the project titled, “Nurturing the Successful Growth and Maturation of a Domestic Seaweed Aquaculture Industry: Phase II” with colleagues in 10 other Sea Grant programs.

“We’re pleased that these important regional and national collaborations were both extended for another two years,” said Nancy Balcom, associate director of Connecticut Sea Grant. “This continued support recognizes the excellent work completed to date in support of shellfish and seaweed aquaculture and enables these partnerships to continue to address needs voiced by industry members and regulatory authorities.”

Jonathan Pennock, director of NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program, said the investments demonstrate Sea Grant’s commitment to sustainable U.S. aquaculture throughout coastal and Great Lakes communities.