The Center for Maritime & Underwater Resource Management (CMURM) (pronounced: sea-merm) was organized in 1994 as an applied research and outreach unit of the Department of Park, Recreation and Tourism Resources at Michigan State University. The Center was reorganized in 2000 as a private, nonprofit corporation under the laws of the State of Michigan and as a Section 501(c)(3) charitable scientific and educational organization under the Internal Revenue Code to better serve the needs of those involved in research, management, and development of maritime heritage and other coastal and underwater resources.

CMURM provides services in applied archaeological and social research, scientific studies in management and development, and technology transfer to clients in industry, academia, and government. It encourages and facilitates the use of private-public partnerships in research, management, and development. Areas of specialization include historic shipwrecks, marine parks and protected areas, water-based recreation, coastal and heritage tourism, and scientific diving.

CMURM clients have included the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Park Service, National Trust for Historic Preservation, State of Michigan, Michigan Sea Grant College Program, Michigan Coastal Management Program, Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, Northwest Michigan Maritime Museum, Society for the Preservation of  S.S. City of Milwaukee, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, Port Washington Maritime Experience, Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum, CIGNA Corporation, R.M.S. Titanic, Inc., Admiralty Corporation, Anguilla Maritime Research, Ltd., Elberta Land Holding Company LLC, Abonmarche Consultants, Inc., Northeast Research LLC, and Great Lakes Exploration Group LLC.  This diversity of clients has given CMURM a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities in (1) research, education, management, and development of maritime and underwater resources, and (2) facilitation of public-private partnerships for wise use and preservation of this heritage.