International Center for Marine Resource Development (ICMRD) (Rec. Gr. 81)

Historical note

The International Center for Marine Resource Development (ICMRD) was established at the University of Rhode Island in 1969 through the U.S. Agency for International Development (US/AID). The Center developed research and training programs for fishery management/development in countries around the globe including Costa Rica, the Azores, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Ghana and many others. The goal of ICMRD was to foster international relationships through outreach programs and aid countries through development of their marine resources. The Center also worked with the Consortium for the Development of Technology (CODOT), which was established at URI in 1970 as an alliance of food departments across several major universities dealing with a broad range of international nutritional problems. ICMRD created degree programs, short courses, non-degree special programs, and other specialized offerings to train foreign students interested in marine resources and marine affairs. In addition to educational programs ran at URI, ICMRD also created research, education, and technical programs in other countries. URI professors performed research in these countries in addition to providing advisory and consultation services in marine affairs. Professors from marine affairs, geography, animal science, food and nutritional studies, resource economics, oceanography, and anthropology formed the core group of scientists. Projects included small-scale fishery studies, post-harvest loss, and seafood processing and preservation methods. The collection includes information regarding ICMRD projects and programs, program country information, and exchange students and employee information from host countries.