Working with communities to solve the challenges of the urban ocean
The Sea Grant program at USC is a federal-state-university partnership in the national network of 34 programs under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program.
USC Sea Grant integrates research, education, and outreach, addressing the unique issues faced by communities and coastlines here along Southern California’s ‘urban ocean’.
Project Spotlight: Saving the Fire Fish
As wildfire destroyed the coastal Pacific Palisades neighborhood in January 2025, USC Sea Grant provided emergency funding and staff support to help save animals threatened by the fire.
The Topanga Lagoon, located in the Palisades, is a habitat for Endangered Steelhead trout and tidewater gobies. The fish were in danger of being wiped out by debris flows and contamination from firefighting chemicals.
With help from USC Sea Grant, local biologists, conservationists, and volunteers were able to move the fish to safety. The group later returned some of the gobies to a recovering Topanga Lagoon in time for spawning season.
“Partnerships are what get things done, and we are so lucky to have partners like Sea Grant and the others involved in this project.”
Connect with USC Sea Grant
Wondering what to do about sea-level rise in your coastal community? Curious about sustainable seafood, shipping traffic, or coastal ecology? USC Sea Grant can help! Click the cards to find resources and support for a variety of issues, or use the link below to visit the USC Sea Grant website.