coastal management

I’d like to take a moment to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments across our programs in FY 2017. More than 40 examples of our success appear in the newly released Fiscal Year 2017 Year in Review. Here are some numbers that help…

2018 is the third International Year of the Reef—a platform to highlight the importance of coral reefs. Covering less than one percent of the planet, coral reefs are the home to 25 percent of marine species and supply food to millions of…

1970: NOAA is created NOAA, the parent agency of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, was created in 1970 (shown above is the DOC Secretary approving its…

I am delighted to announce that NOAA’s Coastal Services Center and the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management have joined forces to become the Office for Coastal Management. The new organizational structure will bring…

Veteran's Day is a time to honor the men and women who have served in the uniformed services. While many veterans work at NOAA, here is something you may not know about our agency's legacy. Since the time of the Civil War, NOAA's…

Our 2014 Annual Report is now online. Enjoy! Continue Reading

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I would like to congratulate the Office for Coastal Management for its outstanding work with the City of Charleston to support resilience in the face of sea level rise. OCM used its Sea Level Rise Viewer's flood projection maps, digital…

Every day, we are working to promote resilience in our coastal communities. However, defining and measuring the capacity of a community to be resilient is a challenge. A recent effort by the Office for Coastal Management, working with…

Imagine: stunning panoramas of sea creatures and corals of many shapes, sizes and colors. Seascapes filled with shipwrecks and artifacts that serve as time capsules, preserving points in American history and offer us a glimpse…

This week, NOAA rolled out the final version Ocean Noise Strategy Roadmap. This effort, co-led by NMFS and NOS, is significant because it marks NOAA's first presentation of a more holistic approach to the management of ocean noise…

"Coral reef ecosystems will change as a result of the pressures they are under, but nature perseveres. Efforts to move the needle of conservation in a positive direction will take…

I'd like to take a moment to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments across our programs in FY 2016. More than 40 examples of our success appear in the newly released Fiscal Year 2016 Year in Review. In this post, I preview a few of…

At the core of the Coastal Zone Management Act are two programs: the National Coastal Zone Management Program and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS). The NERRS is a…

In February, we commemorate National African American History Month throughout the month. This is a time when we celebrate the achievements of African Americans and recognize their central role in our nation’s history.…

I'm really impressed by the recent publications that NOS program offices and their partners have contributed to or produced. I'd like to share a few examples. Continue Reading

Grab some "bite-sized" facts about coastal economics, demographics, weather, storms, ports, aquaculture, and marine debris. Continue Reading

Learn more about Margaret's life and legacy in her obituary, which includes memorial arrangements and where to send donations.…

Our latest AA update is a guest post from Dr. Steve Thur, Acting Director of NOS's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science: "I'd like to share two recent developments from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS). In…

The breadth of the National Ocean Service's response to Hurricane Harvey is far-reaching. To date: The Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) issued Storm QuickLook postings every six hours since…

The Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) issued Storm Quicklook postings throughout the duration of Hurricane Irma. The product provides a synopsis of near real-time oceanographic and meteorological…

The strength of the United States economy is a topic of frequent discussion. Today, I’d like to highlight the value of of a particular segment of the U.S. economy. The ocean economy includes businesses dependent on ocean and Great…

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Steven Thur has been selected to serve as Director of the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) effective December 10, 2017. Dr. Thur brings a high degree of scientific rigor and an…

You may know that the Office for Coastal Management’s Digital Coast website was developed to meet the unique needs of the coastal management community. What you may not be aware of is that in addition to providing data and predictive…

This week, we celebrate the outstanding accomplishments across NOS in the newly released Fiscal Year 2020 Year in Review. Reading these accomplishments fills me with pride, and reminds me how privileged I am to lead such…

A County Snapshot ... in a Snap Have you ever wondered what your coastal county looks like in terms of jobs, flood risk, wetland resources, and…

Bivalve Mollusks: Coastal "Canaries in the Coal Mine" NOAA's Mussel Watch program samples mussels and oysters from over 300 sites around the coastal…

Green infrastructure practices provide ecological, economic, and societal benefits that play a critical role in making coastal communities more resilient…

The National Ocean Service (NOS) brings a wealth of coastal science, management, and operational expertise to aid communities impacted by severe weather events. We are on the front lines to help America understand, predict, and…

Since 1988, National Estuaries Week has been recognizing one of the earth’s most important resources. This yearly celebration typically occurs during the third week of September, bringing attention to the 30 sites within the…

2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, a treaty focused on the conservation and wise use of important wetlands. To receive the honor of being…