improve our understanding of the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts and the challenges they face. (8) According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in 2015, the ocean and Great Lakes economy in the United States employed approximately 3,200,000 people and accounted for approximately $320,000,000,000 of the gross domestic product of the United States. (9) The value and impact of the industries related to the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts on the economy of the United States are evidently immense