Marie Thoms

Professional Title
Communication Manager

What I do for Sea Grant 

  • Provide strategic communication program guidance and media relations
  • Manage Sea Grant-related communication products and services
  • Manage Sea Grant's primary and selected project websites
  • Support the director to manage Sea Grant's legislative and government affairs
  • Manage messaging and marketing for Sea Grant products
  • Editorial and scientific review of proposals
  • Annual federal reporting
  • Provide news releases on programs, projects, products, and services

Education

M.S. - Professional Communication
University of Alaska Fairbanks
B.S. - Biological Sciences
Western Michigan University
B.S. - Natural Resources and Environmental Communication
The Ohio State University

Outreach Projects

Aquaculture Market Study

This project seeks to determine the potential for a sustainable food-fish aquaculture industry in Minnesota.

Yellow perch swimming in water just above a bed of small gravel.

Egg-to-Market Yellow Perch Project

This project seeks to develop producer-scale methods for raising Yellow Perch fish from egg to market size.

Trout being tossed from a hand-held net into an aquaculture pond.

Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative

The Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative (GLAC) is a three-year (2019-2022) project to create a regionwide group to foster relevant, science-based initiatives that support aquaculture industries.

Great Lakes Fresh Fish Finder, cartoon grocery cart with two jumping fish in the basket.

Great Lakes FreshFishFinder.org Website

FreshFishFinder.org was developed to meet a need to directly connect fish producers with consumers after the disruption of traditional markets during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Media Mentions

News Releases

Yellow perch swimming in water just above a bed of small gravel.
August 30, 2021

Minnesota Sea Grant Launches Egg-to-Market Yellow Perch Project

The University of Minnesota Sea Grant program will begin a

January 27, 2021

Can Minnesota Support a Sustainable Aquaculture Industry? New Minnesota Sea Grant market study seeks answers

This is one of several food-fish aquaculture projects led by the University of Minnesota Sea Grant program.

October 10, 2019

Public Comments Sought for Minnesota Sea Grant Review

Duluth, Minnesota - This notice invites you to participate in the four-year review of the University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program by the National Sea Grant Office.