Sea Grant Program Improvement Act - Declares the purpose of the Congress to extend the national sea grant program and broaden and strengthen the national sea grant program through this Act.

=Title I:= Redesignates the National Sea Grant College and Program Act as the National Sea Grant Act. Defines terms used in such Act, including: "coastal resource," "fields related to ocean and coastal resources," "marine environment," and "ocean resource.

Requires maintenance within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the National Sea Grant Program which shall promote research, education, training, and information dissemination in fields related to ocean and coastal resources. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to enter into contracts and to make grants of up to two-thirds of the costs, to sea grant colleges, State or local sea grant programs, institutions of higher education, laboratories, and other public or private entities in fields related to ocean and coastal resources.

Requires the Director of the program to establish and apply long-range planning guidelines for the administration of the national sea grant program, administer and evaluate programs conducted under grants and contracts under such Act, and provide support for sea grant fellowships.

Authorizes the Secretary to designate, through such program, sea grant colleges, and regional consortia, which shall conduct research, education, training, or advisory services in fields relevant to understanding, utilization, and conservation of ocean and coastal resources.

Directs the Director to support a sea grant fellowship program to provide educational and training assistance to undergraduates and graduates in fields related to ocean and coastal resources.

Establishes the independent committee to be known as the Sea Grant Review Panel, which shall advise the director on grants and contracts and operation of sea grant colleges and consortia under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to appoint the members of the committee with the advice of the Administrator of NOAA.

Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1979 to carry out the provisions of such Act.

=Title II: Ocean and Coastal Resources Act = - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to improve understanding, utilization, and conservation of ocean and coastal resources and marine environment.

Requires establishment of the Office of Marine Resources, Science, and Technology in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Places an Associate Administrator of NOAA in charge of the Office, and requires him to develop and implement a program for marine resources, science, and technology within NOAA; provide financial assistance for research and development projects; make recommendations to the Administrator of NOAA on the budgetary requests of the various ocean and coastal programs in NOAA relating to marine resources, science, and technology; and assist the Administrator in the maintenance of an information service for dissemination to potential users of the results of marine research.

Requires the Administrator, with the assistance of the Associate Administrator, through the Office, to prepare a six-year plan for marine resources, science, and technology research, development, and demonstration; and the practical application and dissemination of the knowledge gained from such research and development.

Authorizes the Associate Administrator to identify specific national needs and problems in fields related to ocean and coastal resources, and to enter into grants and contracts, of up to 100 percent of the cost thereof, with respect to such needs and problems. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose through fiscal year 1979.

Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1979 with which the Administrator may provide financial assistance in the form of grants or contracts to enhance the marine science and technology capability of foreign nations and encourage international sharing of information with regard to marine science and technology.

Requires the Secretary of Commerce to report to the President and Congress by February 15 each year on the status and prospects for marine resources, science, and technology within NOAA. Grants the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere (NACOA)) an opportunity to review and comment on each such report before submission.

Establishes a NOAA distinguished research award of $10,000.

Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1979 to carry out this Act.

Ocean and Coastal Resources Act - Title I: Marine Sciences and Technology Policy - Establishes, within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration the Office of Marine Resources, Science, and Technology to develop and implement a program for marine resources and to develop and promote cooperative research and development projects.

Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with the assistance of the Office to prepare a six year national plan for research and development in marine science and technology and for the demonstration and practical implementation of marine science and technology developments. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to submit such plan to the Congress and the President.

Provides that the Office shall operate and maintain a service to be known as the National Ocean and Coastal Advisory Service. States that the service shall impart useful information, knowledge, and technique to organizations and individuals employed or otherwise interested in the assessment, development, and/or conservation of ocean and coastal resources. Provides that the service shall be headed by a Director. Sets forth the responsibility of the Director which includes coordination of all advisory service programs relating to ocean and coastal resources, and formulation of a comprehensive plan for the production and delivery of advisory services regarding ocean and coastal resources.

Authorizes the appropriation of $3,750,000 for the fiscal transition period ending September 30, 1976; and $15,000,000 for fiscal years 1977, 1978 and 1979.

Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the Congress and the President. Specifies that such report shall provide an evaluation of the status and prospects for marine science and technology. Gives the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere the opportunity to review each such report.

Establishes a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration distinguished research award for outstanding achievements and contributions in problem-oriented research related to ocean and coastal resources which meets international, national, and/or regional needs.

Title II: National Sea Grant Program Amendments - National Sea Grant Act - Provides that there shall be maintained within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration a program of research, education, training, and advisory services to be known as the national sea grant program. Directs that the program shall be administered by the Office of Marine Resources, Science, and Technology. States that the program shall be designed and administered to further research, education, training, and advisory services in ocean and coastal resource development, assessment, and conservation, including relevant research, education, and training in marine science.

Requires the program to include the making of grants and contracts in accordance with specifically identified national needs and problems. Authorizes the appropriation of $3,750,000 for the fiscal transition period ending September 30, 1976; $15,000,000 for fiscal years 1977, 1978, and 1979, for the purpose of making such grants and contracts.

Provides for the appointment of a Director of the national sea grant program who shall establish long-range planning guidelines for the administration of the program, advise the Associate Administrator of existing expertise and capabilities within the program, and provide support for sea grant fellowships through institutions of higher education for educational and training assistance to persons in fields related to marine and coastal resource understanding.

Authorizes the Secretary to designate, through the national sea grant program, sea grant colleges, and sea grant regional consortia. Provides that such institutions shall initiate, conduct, and support programs of research, education, training, and advisory services in disciplines and fields that are relevant to the development, utilization, and conservation of ocean and coastal resources.

Establishes a sea grant review panel which shall supercede the sea grant advisory panel. Provides that the panel shall function as an advisory body to the Director of the national sea grant program.

Authorizes the appropriation of $8,750,000 for the fiscal transition period ending September 30, 1976; and $35,000,000 for fiscal years 1977, 1978 and 1979 to carry out the provisions of this Act.