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 

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 

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

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 unh.civilrights@unh.edu.

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 Plants
Dune Restoration
Coastal Research Volunteers
Surfrider Foundation New Hampshire Chapter

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

Act 1: Step onto White and Seavey Islands with Elizabeth Craig, Director of Seabird Science at Shoals Marine Laboratory, as she describes the threats faced by common and roseate terns in a changing Gulf of Maine, and why we as humans should care about the fate of these agile birds that spend their lives at sea. We dodge dive-bombing birds, and side-step freshly hatched chicks while discussing the importance of data-driven conservation efforts and her team's latest Sea Grant-funded research. We also address hard-hitting questions such as: why do seabird researchers wear wide-brimmed hats? And what is seabird poop bingo?   

Act 2: We join Caitlin Panicker, an undergraduate student at Bowdoin College, in the bird blind to learn what it's like to live on the Isles of Shoals for a summer, watching the same birds fly in and out of a nesting colony. Caitlin explains what a tern 'neighborhood' looks like and shares some advice for college students looking to gain field experience.  

Act 3: So, where does all of this information go, and how does it impact us non-birds? We sat down with Katy Bland, a Research and Engagement Manager working with Sea Grant and NERACOOS, to talk through the uses of Elizabeth's tern research with us. Katy focuses on the interaction between coastal communities and offshore renewable energy development in the Gulf of Maine. Making her the perfect guest to help us understand how Liz’s seabird research can be used to inform decisions about how we use our ocean.

Guest Speakers:  

Dr. Elizabeth Craig, Director of Seabird Science, Shoals Marine Laboratory 
Affiliate Faculty, Department of Biological Sciences, UNH. 

Caitlin Panicker, undergraduate student intern currently attending Bowdoin College. 

Katy Bland, Research and Engagement Manager, NERACOSS, New Hampshire Sea Grant, Maine Sea Grant. 

Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant. 

Produced by: Brian Yurasits 

Further reading: 

Seabirds as Indicators of New Hampshire’s Fisheries 

The Science of Seabirds – Seacoast Science Center 

NERACOOS 

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 

Two centuries ago, European Green Crabs arrived in New England’s coastal waters and quickly became one of the world’s most notorious marine invaders — outcompeting native species, devouring shellfish, and threatening local fisheries. In this episode of Time and Tide, we explore how scientists, fishers, chefs, and local volunteers are countering this invasive species by turning an ecological problem into an unexpected and delicious resource. 

Show notes:   

Two centuries ago, a tiny stowaway arrived in New England’s coastal waters: the European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas). Since the early 1800s, this unassuming invader has spread from the Mid-Atlantic to Canada’s Prince Edward Island, causing significant ecological damage and economic headaches along the way. 

In this episode of Time and Tide, we dive into how green crabs became one of the world’s most notorious marine invaders — outcompeting native species, devouring shellfish, clipping seagrasses, and threatening local fisheries. But what if we could counter this invasive species by putting them on our plates — and even in our glasses? 

Join host Brian Yurasits and co-host Erik Chapman as they explore how scientists, fishers, chefs, and local volunteers are turning this problem into an unexpected and delicious resource.  

In Act 1, Dr. Gabriela Bradt, fisheries specialist with NH Sea Grant and UNH Extension and leader of the NH Green Crab Project, crabwalks us through the green crab takeover of U.S. coastlines, and why soft-shell green crabs could be New England’s next sustainable food craze if the idea catches on.  

In Act 2, Mary Parks, Founder and Executive Director of GreenCrab.org, explains how this crustacean menace is finding its way onto restaurant menus — through the creativity of chefs and harvesters working to open new markets.  

Tune in to learn how we might just be able to eat (and drink) our way to a healthier ocean. 

Guest Speakers:  

Dr. Gabriela Bradt, Fisheries Extension Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant & UNH Extension 

Mary Parks, Founder and Executive Director, GreenCrab.org 

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: 

NH Green Crab Project 

GreenCrab.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 

Show notes:  

The housing market is a hot topic in the Granite State and across the US, to say the least. A part of this conversation relates to how insurance companies are dropping coverage for homeowners due to the increased risk of natural disasters. In New Hampshire, flooding risks are of particular concern, from the White Mountains to the Gulf of Maine. A new workshop called Living With Water is designed to help realtors navigate these turbulent times, by equipping them with resources on flood risks in New Hampshire. Learn from the workshop's creators about how realtors can navigate flood risk with their clients, and why conversations during the home buying and selling experience are a great time to talk about stewarding the future of our natural spaces.

Act 1: Turning ideas into reality with Lisa Wise and Lynn Vaccaro, both members of the New Hampshire Coastal Adaptation Workgroup. When realtors in the seacoast community identified the need to learn more about flood risks, this dynamic duo stepped up to the challenge. 

Act 2: Talia Sperduto shares her personal journey from sustainability to real estate, and why flooding has become an everyday concern in her work. 

Guest Speakers: 

Lisa Wise, Coastal Resilience Extension Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant and UNH Extension

Lynn Vaccaro, Coastal Training Program Coordinator, Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and NH Fish and Game

Talia Sperduto, owner of Whole Heart Homes, real estate professional specializing in coastal and historic home sales in the communities of greater Portsmouth, NH and Kittery, ME. Member of the Seacoast Board of Realtors.

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:

Living With Water: Resources for Realtors

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:  

Just six miles off New Hampshire’s coast, the Isles of Shoals emerge from the sea—a world apart, shaped by nature, time, and human hands. With a history as rugged and remarkable as the rocky shoreline at your feet, these islands have left a surprisingly global mark.

In this episode, local historian and storyteller Ann Beattie helps us imagine what these isolated New England isles may have looked like through the years. How has time transformed the Isles of Shoals? And what lessons from the past still ripple through today?

Beyond ghost stories and pirate legends, the Isles offer insights into the evolution of fishing, the history of cod, and development of coastal economies—topics still vital to our region today.

Curious to see it for yourself? You can visit Appledore Island this summer on a public boat tour with the UNH Marine Docents.

Guest Speaker:

Ann Beattie, Isles of Shoals Historian

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

Sign up for an Isles of Shoals Cruise today:

Appledore Island Walking Tour

Learn more about Shoals Marine Laboratory

Isles of Shoals Historical and Research Association

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:  

PFAS are contaminants of emerging concern and have rapidly become a focal point for everyone working in the field of clean water. These ‘forever chemicals’ are impactful in very small amounts (parts per trillion), have negative impacts on humans, and are present within a wide variety of consumer products.

Because PFAS are odorless, tasteless, and microscopic, it is difficult for people to visualize this threat to human health. However, residents in New Hampshire have recently expressed concern that surface foams forming in known PFAS-contaminated water bodies may contain elevated levels of these ‘forever chemicals’. This prompted a team from University of New Hampshire, Temple University, and local citizens to join together in testing foam from these locations. Here, we discuss their preliminary findings, and what will come next.

Act 1: Dr. Paula Mouser describes the story behind exploring PFAS concentrations in surface foam at sites known for their PFAS exposure.  

Act 2: Gabby Deangelis, a Master’s student at UNH, shares her personal experience being affected by PFAS, and her creativity in developing methods to sample surface foams. Gabby also shares her experiences as a graduate student working in the field of environmental science. 

Act 3: Andrea Amico discusses her family’s exposure to PFAS, and how this sparked her journey to raise awareness and take action to address this contaminant in our waters. Andrea describes her work as a citizen scientist with Paula’s team while explaining the impact of including community members in research. 

Guest Speakers:

Paula Mouser, Ph.D. Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire

Gabby Deangelis, Graduate Student in Environmental Engineering, University of New Hampshire

Andrea Amico, Clean Water Activist, Citizen Scientist, Founder of Testing for Pease, and Portsmouth, NH Resident

Hosted by: Brian Yurasits, Science Communication Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant.

Co-Hosted by: Lauren George, Graduate Student, University of New Hampshire

Produced by: Brian Yurasits

Further reading:

UNH Research Team Finds Concentrated PFAS in Watershed Foams

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:  

They’re round, suction-cupped, and as it turns out, full of secrets. Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) may not be glamorous, but these quirky creatures are doing serious work beneath the waves in the Gulf of Maine.

In this episode, we learn how lumpfish are becoming unlikely heroes in salmonid aquaculture. Acting as ladybugs of the sea, they help control parasitic sea lice in salmon and trout farms—a natural solution to a major problem. But what do we know about the lumpfish themselves, and what happens when we rely on wild species to fix our finfish-farming challenges?

Act One: Elizabeth Fairchild describes her latest Sea Grant-funded study on lumpfish at the University of New Hampshire. The study seeks to shed light on the mysterious lives of lumpfish in the rapidly changing Gulf of Maine, and their potential for use as ‘cleaner fish’ in salmonid aquaculture operations. 

Act Two: Aravis Albert and Sam Rutka from the Seacoast Science Center explain how lumpfish can help us tell the story of a changing Gulf of Maine, and where curious coastal visitors can look to find these charismatic fish.  

Guest Speakers:

Elizabeth Fairchild, Ph.D. Research Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire

Sam Rutka, Lead Aquarist, Seacoast Science Center

Aravis Albert, Aquarist I and Naturalist, Seacoast Science Center

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 with assistance from Talia Katreczko, New Hampshire Sea Grant Doyle Fellow.

Further reading: 

Meet the Lumpfish! Interactive Map

Team LuMP – Lumpfish Mapping Project

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:  

What does the saying – time and tide wait for none – mean to you? Those with a connection to the coast understand that tides are a certainty in life; they are something that we have no control over, just as time is always fleeting. It’s a familiarity that connects all of us, and sometimes, is a starting point for conversation. Time and Tide is a new podcast from New Hampshire Sea Grant exploring the science, stories, and people behind our changing coastlines.

Hosts Brian Yurasits and Erik Chapman share one story each month, covering the coastal and marine topics that you might read about in your local news. These stories are told by both researchers and community members in a way that anyone can relate to. Whether you’re a surfer, fisher, seafood lover, enjoy long walks on the beach, or simply someone who cares about the future of our coastal places—this podcast is for you.

In this introduction, you'll hear why talking about the tides is a great ice-breaker, learn why you should care about the issues facing the Granite State’s small, but mighty coastline, and take a trip down memory lane with Brian and Erik. Float along with us as we navigate these tides of change together. 

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 with assistance from Talia Katreczko, New Hampshire Sea Grant Doyle Fellow.

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