NOAA Fisheries held a transfer of ownership ceremony on July 11, 2023 in front of the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory building within the Gateway National Recreation Area in Highlands, NJ. Guests included NOAA officials, as well as U.S. Rep Frank Pallone, Zach McCue of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker’s staff, Highlands, New Jersey Mayor Carolyn Broullon and Middletown, New Jersey Mayor Anthony Perry.
“It’s a victory for NOAA and the State of New Jersey, but really it’s a victory for the American public,” emphasized NOAA Deputy Under Secretary Ben Friedman. “I’m happy to be here to make this a permanent part of the NOAA family.”
In 1993, this building replaced the original laboratory – a building that became a marine science laboratory in 1961 though it was originally constructed as a military hospital in the late 1800s. The State of New Jersey owned the new building, and NOAA leased space there. The official transfer of ownership was years in the making. Current and retired laboratory staff, NOAA employees from other locations, and local partners gathered for the celebration.
“This is a purpose-built seawater laboratory that has the capability to do world-class research,” said Northeast Fisheries Science Center Director Jon Hare, adding “Now that NOAA owns it, we can put it to its full use.”
Pallone announced recent federal funding to improve the facility, including $5 million to fix the seawater system and $1.5 million to upgrade the lab, as well as funding for the recent Sandy Hook Partnerships in Coastal Studies grants to support student research at the lab and enhance the diversity of marine science.
The primary mission of the Howard Laboratory is to conduct research in ecology, leading to a better understanding of both coastal and estuarine organisms and the effects of human activities on nearshore marine populations and their habitats. The lab has organic and inorganic chemistry labs, controlled temperature rooms, and recirculating aquaculture systems designed for different types of experiments.
