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Home  About  NOS Fiscal Year 2016 Year in Review
 NOS Priority: Coastal Resilience NOS Fiscal Year 2016 Year in Review  New Service for Downloading Chart Updates **Supports NOS priority**: Coastal Intelligence,coastal resilience
 electronic charting systems and apps image
	Coast Survey has created millions of tiles, covering over a thousand NOAA raster navigational charts, so electronic charting systems and apps can use the smaller tile files to speed updates to users.
 In recent years, larger manufacturers have switched to using NOAA raster charts but experienced problems with downloading NOAA’s huge chart files that take a long time to upload.  In response, NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey collaborated with the navigation electronics industry to create new chart tile products and services to alleviate this problem. The new service provides digital chart users with faster and easier updates. The first phase, completed in December 2016, allowed commercial users to update their charts by accessing tiles (sections of nautical charts) online. The final phase packages tile sets within geographic regions for offline use. Users like recreational boaters are now able to download geographic packages that are updated weekly and contain only those tiles that have changed since the last full package. This dramatically reduces the bandwidth requirements necessary to keep a vessel’s chart suite up to date.   Hurricane Surge On-demand Forecast System **Supports NOS priority**: coastal intelligence; coastal resilience
 The Hurricane Surge On-demand Forecast System (HSOFS) was successfully implemented for operational use on NCEP Central Operations’ high performance computing system. The model grid and testing was originally developed in a project with AECOM and Riverside Technology, Inc., and further testing and transition to operations was coordinated through the Coast Survey Development Laboratory’s Storm Surge Team. HSOFS is a hurricane storm surge forecast system based on ADvanced CIRCulation (ADCIRC), an advanced, large-scale storm surge model with local high resolution to predict flooding in coastal communities. HSOFS simulates water levels as hurricanes track across the Western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, and covers the coast from Texas to Maine including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each operational run of HSOFS includes an ensemble of five simulations in which modifications are made to the National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) Forecast Advisory track (official, right shift, left shift, more/less intense). Operational implementation of HSOFS is intended to be used near the time of hurricane landfall to provide additional guidance to the NHC.   GRAV-D exceeds 50 percent of total coverage **SUPPORTS NOS PRIORITY:**: Coastal intelligence, Coastal Resilience
 GRAV-D reaches 50 percent milestone of gravity completion.
	GRAV-D reaches 50 percent milestone of gravity completion.
 The National Geodetic Survey’s  (NGS) Gravity for  the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum (GRAV-D) project is covering the United States and its territories with  airborne gravity measurements to facilitate the creation of a new national  vertical reference system slated for launch in 2022. In FY2016, GRAV-D achieved the  major milestone of having surveyed more than 50 percent of the total project  area. With each one percent of the project area equating to approximately 100  flight hours, GRAV-D has collected and processed data from a total of about  5,000 flight hours. More than three million square miles of data collection and  processing have been completed across the continental United States, Alaska,  Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The new vertical reference system  scheduled for release in 2022 will be built upon GRAV-D airborne gravity data,  together with both terrestrial and satellite data. Once implemented, GRAV-D  will provide an estimated cost savings of $4.8 billion to the Nation from  infrastructure cost savings, inundation models for storm surges and tsunamis,  and coastal intelligence and resilience initiatives for communities.   New Sensor to Detect Harmful Algal Blooms Deployed **Supports NOS priority**: Coastal Intelligence,Coastal Resilience
 Deploying the Environmental Sensor Processor 
	Deploying the Environmental Sensor Processor near the Juan de Fuca eddy in the Pacific Northwest in May, ahead of HAB season. Photo Credit: NOAA/UW
 May 2016 saw the deployment of the  Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) to monitor and provide early warning for  harmful algal blooms (HABs) on the West Coast, following successful deployments  in the Gulf of Maine.  The Pacific Northwest deployment was undertaken  through a U.S. IOOS Ocean Technology Transition project [grant] and led by the  University of Washington’s Applied Physics Lab. The ESP—a robotic, marine  biosensor developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute  (MBARI)—automates sampling and testing and transmits data in near-real time,  addressing an accessibility issue that has previously hindered offshore  observation.  Continuous offshore sampling and data transmission enables  earlier detection of HABs, thereby allowing communities and businesses more  time to mitigate the impacts. Originally scheduled for deployment in  August 2016, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and other  end-users requested a spring launch following the devastating 2016 West Coast  HAB that occurred earlier in the season. A multi-agency team from NOAA (NCCOS  & Northwest Fisheries Science Center), IOOS, and the University of  Washington came together to make that launch happen, and the new ESP was  successfully deployed May 23 on a mooring within the Olympic Coast National  Marine Sanctuary near the Juan de Fuca eddy, a known HAB hotspot. The resulting  data are the first near-real time ESP observations publically available to  end-users in near-real time on the west coast.   Biodiversity Observing Network Gains Momentum in U.S. **Supports NOS priority**: coastal intelligence, coastal resilience,  place-based conservation
 Sea anemone in the kelp beds of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
	Sea anemone in the kelp beds of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, one of the sites of the 3 pilot Marine Biodiversity Observing Networks (MBON).  Photo Credit: Chad King/MBNMS
 The U.S. Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (MBON)--a partnership funded by U.S. IOOS®, NOAA's Office of Ocean  Exploration and Research, NASA, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)  has had a successful second year. Researchers are working toward establishing a  long-term national biodiversity monitoring network, through three pilot  projects.  The projects are working in the Arctic Chukchi Sea, the Santa  Barbara Channel, and the Florida Keys, Flower Garden Banks, and Monterey Bay  National Marine Sanctuaries. The Arctic Marine Biodiversity Network (AMBON), a  partnership with a number of regional initiatives (including the NOAA-led  Distributed Biological Observatory), was selected as one of the projects that  will support deliverables from the White House Arctic Sciences Ministerial,  taking place in fall 2016.  The  Sanctuaries MBON project extended to include Flower Garden Banks.  Work in  the Flower Gardens is timely, and MBON researchers are contributing to  understanding of the unprecedented coral bleaching event happening there.   An increase in availability of time-series data will make this event, and  future events, easier to understand and forecast. In the Santa Barbara Channel  MBON project, researchers are developing new technology and data handling  methods to identify and fill data gaps.   Surface Current Data Delivered to Weather Forecasting Offices in Near Real-Time **Supports NOS priority**: Coastal Intelligence,Coastal Resilience
 'Chá ba,' a buoy off the coast of Washington 
	"Chá ba," a buoy off the coast of Washington, contributes better information about the ocean conditions that oysters can and cannot tolerate. Photo credit: NANOOS
 In FY 2016, U.S. IOOS® and the National Weather Service completed work to integrate high-frequency radar-derived surface current data into the powerful data processing tool AWIPS-II (the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System), giving Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) in coastal areas new access to ocean data that directly impacts their service areas. IOOS operates the nation’s only high-frequency radar network, providing near-real time 2-D maps of ocean of surface currents speed and direction. This network supports U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue operations, NOAA response to oil spills, port navigation, tracking of harmful algal blooms, and now offers WFOs more insight into offshore and coastal storm movement, storm surge events, and wind movement.   Nuisance Flooding Becomes Part of National Dialogue on Sea Level Rise **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience
 Nuisance Flooding in Alexandria, Virginia during the perigean spring tide in May, 2016
	Nuisance Flooding in Alexandria, Virginia during the perigean spring tide in May, 2016
 In 2016, The Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services  (CO-­OPS) provided the second ever outlook for nuisance flooding for the coming  meteorological year. Nuisance flooding was also included as an indicator of  climate change for the first time in the recent Environmental Protection Agency  report, Climate Change Indicators in the United States. Nuisance flooding is recurrent flooding that  takes place at high tide and can cause costly damage to infrastructure. Because  of sea level rise, nuisance flooding in the United States has become a “sunny  day” event – not necessarily linked to storms or heavy rain. The frequency of  nuisance tidal flooding in many U.S. cities increased as predicted for the 2016  meteorological year, from May 2016 to April 2016, and in some cities, the days  of nuisance flooding exceeded trends and broke records, especially in the  southeastern U.S and Gulf Coast. The 2016 outlook expects the nuisance flooding  trend to increase, but takes into account La Niña conditions that typically  have less effect on tidal flood frequencies compared to El Niño. This outlook  can help communities better understand local nuisance flooding frequencies and  prepare for potential impacts.  CO-OPS issued the first report on nuisance  flooding in 2014, analyzing data from NOAA tide gauges where the water level  exceeded the local threshold for minor flooding impacts established by the  local Weather Forecasting Offices of the National Weather Services. CO-OPS  worked with the National Centers for Environmental Information to issue the  Nuisance Flooding outlook.    PORTSR turns 25, Helps Three New Seaports Become More Safe and Efficient **Supports NOS priority**: coastal Resilience
 New air gap sensor on the Talmadge Memorial Bridge in Savannah, GA will help ships navigate safely into and out of port
	New air gap sensor on the Talmadge Memorial Bridge in Savannah, GA will help ships navigate safely into and out of port
 In 2016,  the Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTSR) held its 25th anniversary and added three  new systems, for a total of 28 PORTSR.  New systems were added in Savannah, Georgia; Cape  Cod, Massachusetts and on the Cuyahoga River in Ohio. These systems provide  real-time, accurate, and reliable observations helping mariners and port  operators to navigate safely, stay on schedule, and maximize cargo loading.  More than 60 of the Nation’s most economically critical seaports are served by  PORTSR.  NOAA has partnered with industry and local maritime  organizations, as well as other federal and state agencies, to install these  systems based on the needs of local mariners and port operators.   CO-OPS Supports California with Analysis and Outreach on Water Levels and Flooding Due to El Nino **Supports NOS priority**: Coastal Resilience
 In December, the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and  Services (CO-OPS) helped the public in California understand how El Niño was  impacting the water levels on the coast. CO-OPS provided technical guidance and  communication materials to explain how the coastal flooding being seen was  associated with elevated sea level from El Niño. CO-OPS documented the highest  measured tides at eight water level stations throughout California during the  high water level event over Thanksgiving, and released outreach materials  directed at partners to communicate the causes and impacts of these events.  CO-OPS coordinated with the Office of Coastal Management, the National Weather  Service Weather Forecast Office in Eureka, the California coastal management  community, and the Governor's office to provide this support.   Settlement with BP and Final Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience
 Marsh restoration at the Paul J. Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary in Louisiana
	Marsh restoration at the Paul J. Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary in Louisiana
 NOAA Office of Response and Restoration’s Assessment and Restoration Division worked with NOAA Fisheries’ Restoration Center, NOAA’s Office of the General Counsel Natural Resources Section and multiple trustee agencies to produce the Programmatic Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan/Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PDARP/PEIS) for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The 1,400+ page report was the basis for the record settlement of $8.8 billion for the restoration of injured natural resources between the natural resource trustees and BP.   Settlements of Enbridge, Commencement and Gulf-Chevron **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience
 Commencement Bay during a restoration work party (Credit: EarthCorps)
	Commencement Bay during a restoration work party (Credit: EarthCorps)
 NOAA Office of Response and Restoration’s Assessment and Restoration  Division, NOAA Fisheries’ Restoration Center and NOAA’s Office of the General  Counsel Natural Resources Section secured over $67 million to restore the  environment following three events. By working with partners agencies from the  State of Michigan, over $60 million was generated for restoration following the  2010 Enbridge pipeline failure. The spill resulted in approximately 843,000  gallons of a heavy form of crude oil known as “tar sands oil” into a tributary  of the Kalamazoo River. Restoration projects include restoring and protecting  hundreds of acres of wetlands and upland habitat, replacing culverts to enhance  river flow, and increasing recreational opportunities for the public along the  Kalamazoo River. In Washington State a settlement worth approximately $5 million  continued a history of restoring Commencement Bay, which was impacted by the  pollution from industrial activity. In total, NOAA and partners have generated  over $70 million dollars over the last 20 years to hold polluters accountable  and reestablish the bay. In Maine, an $880,000 settlement was reached for an oil spill at the  Gulf-Chevron marine oil terminal. The settlement will support restoration  projects for natural resources, including aquatic habitats and areas of  recreational use.   Florida Incident Waterway Debris Response Guide **Supports NOS priority**: coastal intelligence
              Coastal Intelligence; coastal resilience
 Events like severe storms, floods, tsunamis, or maritime disasters can all result in a large influx of debris in coastal areas
	Events like severe storms, floods, tsunamis, or maritime disasters can all result in a large influx of debris in coastal areas
 The NOAA  Marine Debris Program completed the Florida Incident Waterway Debris Response Guide in 2016 to improve preparedness for response to and recovery  from events like severe storms, floods, tsunamis, or maritime disasters that  can result in a large influx of marine debris. This guide is the second  completed in an ongoing effort by the NOAA Marine Debris Program to collaborate  with local, state, and federal entities in coastal states in developing  state-specific guidance documents for easy reference in the case of a severe  marine debris event. The Florida Guide serves as a comprehensive reference for  incident waterway debris response. It contains an outline of existing response  structures and captures all relevant responsibilities and existing procedures  in Florida. The guide is accompanied by a Field Reference Guide with pertinent  quick reference information for in the field emergency response operations.   Response Highlights in Fiscal Year 2016 **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience
 A scientist with the response transfers a sediment sample from the Mississippi River to collection jars for analysis following a collision and oil spill near Columbus, Kentucky
	A scientist with the response transfers a sediment sample from the Mississippi River to collection jars for analysis following a collision and oil spill near Columbus, Kentucky
 The US Coast Guard (USCG)  conducted an assessment dive of the sunken wreck of Tank Barge *Argo,* lost in 1937 in Lake Erie, when an active chemical plume and odors were noted  above the tank barge. The benzene cargo was characterized and ultimately  removed. NOAA Office of Response and  Restoration’s Emergency Response Division (ERD), with state and federal partners, managed the development of  environmental monitoring, water sampling, sediment sampling, and waste disposal  plans for the *Argo* response. Two tug boats collided on  the Mississippi River near Columbus, Kentucky, spilling an estimated 120,500 gallons  of oil. The oil was heavier than water and was at the bottom of a murky,  flowing river; posing unique challenges. ERD provided river flow forecasts,  chemistry of the spilled oil, a submerged oil assessment, assistance with a  side scan sonar, and assistance with the selection of unique response  technologies, such as environmental clamshell dredging. ERD supported the USCG response to an oil spill in the Green Canyon oil reserve area in the Gulf of Mexico, providing oil spill trajectory analysis and  information on natural resources potentially at risk from the oil, including  species and habitats in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.   NOAA’s Response Asset Directory **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience, Coastal Intelligence
 The NOAA Response Asset Directory
	With the implementation of the NOAA Response Asset Directory, NOAA will be better positioned to respond to future disasters efficiently through improved shared knowledge and access to available resources for all NOAA staff
 NOAA’s  Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center (DRC) - housed in the Office of  Response and Restoration - takes a leadership role in building NOAA’s  preparedness and ability to respond to and mitigate environmental impacts from  natural and human-caused disasters such as hurricanes and major oils spills. As  part of the National Ocean Service Roadmap resilience and response strategies, an  online NOAA Response Asset Directory (NRAD) was developed. The NRAD is an  all-hazards resource directory that includes searchable and spatial information  on physical resources, as well as NOAA services which could be used or in need  of protection during response and recovery from disasters. The pilot  project has been completed for six states at high risk for hurricane threats -  Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Initial responses  highlight the application as a very powerful planning, response, and incident  recovery tool, and the expectation is that the directory will expand nationally  over the next year. With the implementation of the NRAD, NOAA will be better  positioned to respond to future disasters efficiently through improved shared  knowledge and access to available resources for all NOAA staff.   Promoting Nature-based Shorelines to Protect the Coast **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience
 Aerial view of nature-based shoreline at NOAA laboratory on Pivers Island in Beaufort, North Carolina, in 2014. 
	Aerial view of nature-based shoreline at NOAA laboratory on Pivers Island in Beaufort, North Carolina, in 2014. The shoreline, constructed from salt marsh plants and submerged oyster reef, was planted in 2000 and has successfully prevented erosion of the lawn behind the marsh
 Hardened erosion control techniques, such as bulkheads and  seawalls, often accelerate shoreline erosion and destroy the habitat of  economically important fisheries and other wildlife. Nature-based shoreline  stabilization options, like marsh grass and oyster reefs, offer erosion control  while maintaining normal ecosystem functions. In 2016, NCCOS co-authored the NOAA publication, *Guidance  for Considering the Use of Living Shorelines*, which encourages nature-based  shoreline stabilization techniques and highlights NOAA science, tools, and  training that support such techniques. The publication has been shared with  local, state, and federal coastal managers. NCCOS scientists quantified the  amount of carbon stored in living shorelines, showing they can make a valuable  contribution to carbon dioxide reduction strategies. Also in 2016, NCCOS, along with other NOAA National Ocean  Service offices, began a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to  identify, prioritize, and implement projects that advance natural shoreline  science and engineering practices. The group established a collaboration  framework and produced a report that documents key data gaps and work  priorities based on the inputs of over 40 cross-agency experts. The partnership  is an extension of NOAA’s commitment to help coastal communities plan for and  mitigate the effects of extreme weather events and changing ocean conditions.   Climate Change Community Vulnerability Assessments in the Chesapeake Bay **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience
 Coastal flooding in Oxford, Maryland, in 2016
	Coastal flooding in Oxford, Maryland, in 2016
 Vulnerability  assessments consider a broad range of ecological, social, economic and cultural  components, and examine how these components might be affected by specific  climate change scenarios. These assessments can give coastal communities the  information needed to address climate-related hazards, such as storm surge and  sea level rise, and to identify adaptation strategies. In 2016, social science researchers at NCCOS completed a  vulnerability assessment for Talbot County and the Town of Oxford, Maryland in  the Chesapeake Bay region. The team examined both environmental and social  vulnerability using data collected on population demographics, economic  characteristics, distribution of natural resources, and features of commercial  and residential structures. These vulnerabilities were investigated alongside  various flood hazard risks, including stormwater flooding, storm surge, and sea  level rise. The results of the assessment will be used by the community to  inform adaptation planning and corresponding management actions. Following the success of this first vulnerability assessment, the researchers  have already begun work on the next study area: the Choptank River Habitat  Focus Area, which spans four counties in Maryland and one in Delaware.  Ports Resilience Index Bolsters Preparedness **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience,coastal intelligence
 The Ports Resilience index is a user-friendly tool for maintaining port and marine transportation operations during and after disasters 
	The Ports Resilience index is a user-friendly tool for maintaining port and marine transportation operations during and after disasters
 Ports play an important  role in waterfront community resilience.  A new tool, thePorts Resilience Index,  is a simple and inexpensive means of undertaking a readiness assessment for  maintaining port and marine transportation operations during and after  disasters. 
        Ports that have completed  this self-assessment include the Port of Corpus Christi Authority in Texas, the  Jackson County Port Authority Mississippi, the Port of Lake Charles Harbor and  Terminal District in Louisiana, and Port Tampa Bay in Florida. The Office for  Coastal Management funded this project, which was a partnership effort led by  the Gulf of Mexico Alliance and coordinated by the Louisiana Sea Grant.   Other partners included Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, Dewberry, seven  Gulf of Mexico ports, the Gulf Ports Association of the Americas, and industry  partners.  The nation’s seaports move  over $1.5 trillion in cargo each year, supporting port-side employment of more  than 420,000 persons that pays $30 billion in wages each year. Keeping ports  safe (and working) represents an important aspect of the nation’s economic  health.   Ft. Lauderdale Climate Adaptation Plan Approved **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience
 Several years ago Ft.  Lauderdale was a pilot community in a National Coastal Zone Management Program  initiative focused on preparing communities for sea level rise and coastal  flooding. New policies were enacted that included infrastructure improvements  and incorporating sea level rise projections into the design of new  construction capital projects. This baseline effort continues to pay dividends  today, as the city’s FY2017-2021 Proposed Community Investment Plan identifies  16 adaptation action areas and 40 projects identified for funding. These  projects include stormwater, park, and seawall repairs and improvements. A  public survey associated with these efforts found 75% of the respondents saying  they had observed coastal water level increases and 72% have observed increased  flooding.   Building  the Capacity of the Coastal Management Community **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience
 While NOAA  is the nation's premier coastal science information agency, simply providing  the information is not enough.  Over 5,000 professionals  took advantage of the coastal management educational opportunities  provided by NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management. Follow- up surveys revealed  that 71 percent of the 1,600 professionals who participated in the formal  training programs are using their new skills to make coastal communities more  resilient.  Over 3000 people engaged in peer-to-peer learning at  various events such as the Pacific Risk Management 'Ohana (PRiMO) conference,  workshops focused on FEMA’s Community Rating System, the Social Coast Forum,  and “Our Florida Reefs,” a community planning initiative. Technical  assistance was also provided via three fellowship programs.    **Investing in New York’s  Green Infrastructure** **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience, coastal intelligence
 Infographic showing application and benefits of green infrastructure
	Infographic showing application and benefits of green infrastructure
 Green infrastructure, the  use of nature-based solutions to minimize flooding, is gaining traction  throughout the coastal zone. NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management provided  funding ($410,000) and assistance to develop an information tool that is  guiding green infrastructure investments in Staten Island and Jamaica Bay. The  tool incorporates research on green infrastructure performance during  Post-Tropical Cyclone Sandy, and integrates data on future flooding scenarios,  vulnerable populations, and critical infrastructure.  The tool is being used by The Trust for Public  Land and the City of New York to identify the most suitable and effective green  infrastructure investment locations, as they made decisions about the best way  to use the $176 million in disaster resilience funds New York received from the  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.   Science evaluation to inform future investments **Supports NOS priority**: coastal intelligence, coastal resilience,  place-based conservation
 This  year, the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program completed a science evaluation  to gain a better understanding of how the data, tools and products it provides  are used by stakeholders. A panel of leading, independent coral reef experts  investigated the accessibility of the information to coral reef managers and policy  makers, how helpful these products are for coastal management decision makers,  and how the data, information, and services are being used to support coral  reef conservation. This review covered NOAA Coral Reef Conservation  Program-funded ecosystem science only.  Reports from the panelists and the program’s  response, including an action plan for program adjustments based on panelists'  recommendations, are available on the program’s web site.   NOAA plays a key role at the 13th International Coral Reef Symposium—bridging science to policy **Supports NOS priority**: coastal intelligence, coastal resilience,  place-based conservation
 NOAA’s coral reef research portfolio was well represented at the 13th International Coral Reef Symposium in Honolulu Hawaii
	NOAA’s coral reef research portfolio was well represented at the 13th International Coral Reef Symposium in Honolulu Hawaii
 NOAA’s  coral reef research portfolio was well represented at the 13th International  Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) in Honolulu Hawaii with researchers joining  sessions and media events on the conservation, restoration, policy, and science  of coral reef and associated habitats. ICRS organizers also hosted a Leader’s  Summit with the presidents of the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and  Republic of the Marshall Islands. These leaders issued a call to action  requesting increased collaboration between the scientific community and local  governments, acknowledging there needs to be more funding and a strengthened  commitment to protecting coral reefs. ICRS is the largest international meeting  focused on coral reef science and management. It was hosted by the  International Society for Reef Studies and was sponsored by the NOAA Coral Reef  Conservation Program. The symposium takes place every four years.   Partnership critical to coral reef ecosystem conservation in Asia-Pacific **Supports NOS priority**: coastal intelligence, coastal resilience,  place-based conservation
 A NOAA scientist works with the Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to ground truth light signatures of fishing lights detected using visible infrared imaging technology.
	A NOAA scientist works with the Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to ground truth light signatures of fishing lights detected using visible infrared imaging technology.
 2016  marked the third year of a $20 million dollar partnership between NOAA and the  USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia to strengthen local marine  conservation in an area with some of the planet’s most diverse marine habitats.  NOAA provided trainings on: Ecosystem approaches to fisheries management in the Philippines,
          Marine protected area management in the Philippines and Indonesia,
          Development of sustainable marine tourism in Indonesia, and
          Methods and technologies, like visible infrared imaging, to enhance  marine enforcement in the Philippines and Indonesia. The  NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program coordinates the agency’s engagement in  international coral reef issues. NOS, NMFS, OAR, and NESDIS play a key role in  implementing the trainings that are core parts of this five-year partnership  with USAID.   Data highlights status and trends in the coral reef  health **Supports NOS priority**: coastal intelligence, coastal resilience,  place-based conservation
 A diver collects data on the condition of coral reefs in the Mariana Islands
	A diver collects data on the condition of coral reefs in the Mariana Islands
 Scientists  collected biological, climatic, and socioeconomic data in 2016 to measure  changes in U.S. coral reef ecosystems as part of the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program. In the Hawaiian Archipelago, NOAA scientists conducted hundreds  of fish and benthic surveys and recovered and re-deployed instruments to assess  impacts of ocean acidification and warming. In the Atlantic, scientists  gathered similar data at sites in Puerto Rico and Florida. Social science  researchers focused on the connections between coral reef ecosystems and  people, their communities and economies by completing resident surveys in Guam  and the Northern Marianas Islands. Satellite remote sensing provided data  across all U.S. reef areas, filling gaps between field sampling sites. The  National Coral Reef Monitoring Program is an integrated and focused monitoring  effort with partners across the U.S. and its territories. Outcomes will help  managers, decision makers, and communities better understand the condition of  their resources and take effective place-based conservation actions.  President Obama expands Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument **Supports NOS priority**: coastal intelligence, coastal resilience,  place-based conservation
 Map showing the expanded area of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
	Map showing the expanded area of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The new boundary extends out to the U.S. EEZ (shown in purple). The monument's original area is shown in blue
 On August 26, 2016,  President Obama signed a proclamation expanding Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.  Previously the largest contiguous fully-protected conservation area in the United  States at 139,797 square miles (362,073 km2), the expanded boundaries make it  once again the biggest protected area on the planet at 582,578 square miles  (1,508,870 km2), nearly the size of the Gulf of Mexico. Papahānaumokuākea is  globally recognized for its biological and cultural significance, being the  only mixed UNESCO World Heritage site in the United States and only one of 35  mixed sites in the world. This expansion not only provides direct protection to  this global resource, but also brings critical attention to the need for  increased ocean conservation and protection worldwide. Despite its remote  location in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, PMNM faces a looming threat of global climate change  that will affect its land and marine ecosystems, as well as its cultural  resources -- a threat that ocean resources are facing across the globe.   Monitor and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuaries Expansions Proposed **Supports NOS priority**: coastal intelligence, coastal resilience,  place-based conservation
 USS Monitor.
	USS Monitor. This famed Civil War ironclad sank during a storm on December 31, 1862, and wasn't found again until 1973. Its discovery prompted the creation of our first national marine sanctuary, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary! Photo Credit: NOAA Monitor Collection
 For  more than 40 years, Monitor  National Marine Sanctuary has served as a special  place honoring the iconic Civil War ironclad, USS*Monitor*, and the  memory and service of Civil War sailors. The proposed  expansion, announced in January 2016, is an opportunity to honor  another generation of mariners that helped defend the nation during both World  Wars. An expansion of this historical site just off of North Carolina’s coast  would protect a collection of historically significant shipwrecks vessels,  including vessels sunk during World War II’s Battle of the Atlantic. 
        Building  on more than 30 years of scientific studies, including numerous reports  released in the last decade and in the aftermath of the 2010 *Deepwater  Horizon*oil spill, NOAA announced in June 2016 to expand Flower Garden Bank National  Marine Sanctuary. The preferred scenario would cover an extra 383  square miles, including 15 reefs and banks that provide habitat for  recreationally and commercially important fish, as well as 15 threatened or  endangered species of whales, sea turtles, and corals. This scenario also calls for  comprehensive management and protection of these important habitat sites and  cultural resources, and would provide more opportunities for research and  recovery of resources.   MPA Federal Advisory Committee approves “Guiding Principles” for Arctic MPAs created by participatory process **Supports NOS priority**: coastal intelligence, coastal resilience,  place-based conservation
 A female bowhead whale and her calf in the Arctic
	A female bowhead whale and her calf in the Arctic
 The  U.S. has identified advancingmarine protected areas (MPA) networks as a  priority under its chairmanship of the Arctic Council during 2016-2017.   The Arctic is experiencing rapid changes due to climate impacts,  including receding sea ice which will open sensitive ecosystems to human uses.   While MPAs are effective marine conservation tools, many stakeholders in  Alaska are concerned about potential restrictions on access to ocean resources.   To provide an opportunity for dialogue and consensus building on this  issue, NOAA and the Department of the Interior asked the MPA Federal Advisory  Committee to develop guidance on MPAs and MPA networks in the Arctic.  The  “Guiding Principles for Marine Protected Areas and MPA Networks  in the Arctic” were developed by the Committee’s Arctic MPA Working  Group, representing diverse U.S. Arctic stakeholders.  The “Guiding  Principles” note the impacts and implications of climate change already being  felt, the role of MPAs as a conservation tool, and strongly emphasize the  importance of engagement with Alaska Natives and local stakeholders.   Inaugural Issue of Earth is Blue: Magazine of the National Marine Sanctuaries **Supports NOS priority**: coastal intelligence, coastal resilience,  place-based conservation
 The  inaugural issue of *Earth is Blue: Magazine of the National Marine  Sanctuaries*was released in June 2016. Following on the footsteps of ONMS’  social media campaign Earth  is Blue, the magazine covers a broad range of topics and everything  that the sanctuary system has to offer. The beauty and economic benefits of our  country’s underwater parks are highlighted through mesmerizing photographs and  stories. Expect to learn about our nation’s indigenous cultures, maritime  heritage, conservation of vital marine areas and the wide variety of  recreational activities that visitors can enjoy responsibly.  The *Earth  is Blue: Magazine of the National Marine Sanctuaries*is available in hard  copy and online.   Expanding NOAA Planet Stewards National Reach and Impact **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience, coastal intelligence
 In FY16 NOAA’s Planet Stewards Education Project (PSEP) grew to 950 formal and informal educators and  engaged over 2,230 educators in monthly webinars and seven face-to-face workshops  held in Boulder, CO, New Orleans, LA, Salt Lake City, UT, Detroit, MI,  Charleston, SC, Long Beach, CA, and at the National Science Teachers  Association national conference in Nashville, TN. These in-service  opportunities focused on the regional impacts of  climate change, hands-on education activities, and exploration  of technologies and innovations in Earth-system science. Webinars and workshops  were given by nationally recognized climate scientists, educators and  communicators, and attendees learned about sea level rise, impacts to fisheries and habitats,  using models to teach climate change, framing conversations about climate  change, severe weather, coastal resilience, water resources, and  climate games. Post webinar and workshop evaluations showed that 98% of  all attendees learned from their experiences and 94% planned to use what they learned in their work over the next year, sharing  the information and resources they received with over 82,645 colleagues, youth  and adults.   Games for Climate Change **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience, coastal intelligence
 Groups of students and teachers playtest climate games at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
	Groups of students and teachers playtest climate games at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
 As part of the Climate  Education and Literacy Initiative (OSTP) NOS sponsored  two National Climate Game Jams in FY16 through a network of federal agencies,  universities, schools and informal institutions. Students in grades 5-16 and  adults were challenged to develop game prototypes related to the impacts of  climate change.  Kickoff events at the White House and at the California  Academy of Science on October 2 challenged the participants at 11 locations to  develop engaging digital and analog games for many ages.  30 games were  developed over the 48-hour time period and submitted for judging by game and  climate experts. Winners were invited to the National Museum of Natural History  to showcase and playtest their designs. Prototype ideas included a role-playing  game that put the player in the position of a coral farmer working to restore a damaged coral reef, a board game that challenges players to manage resources, and a habitat game about how migration forced by climate change affects territorial interactions of owls.  A second game jam was  held April 16 - 24, 2016 at 9  sites, resulting in 17 game submissions focused on the unique challenges climate  will bring to water resources.  Game jams offer students and adults  opportunities to interact with climate and game experts to learn about the  impacts of climate change and resilience through science-based experiences.   NOS Reaches Larger Audience with Web, Social Media **Supports NOS priority**: coastal resilience, place-based conservation, coastal intelligence
 NOS  uses its online presence to reach the ocean-interested public. Traffic tothe NOS website increased 38% during FY 2016 compared to FY 2016; monthly website  traffic peaked at an all-time high 2.4 million visits in May, 2016. The number  of Facebook “likes” grew more than 57%  (from 64,413 to 101,262) and the  number of Twitter followers grew more than 13%  (from 129,480 to 146,820). During  its 30-day National Ocean Monthcampaign, NOS  reached more than 1.4 million users on Facebook.  Also in FY 2016, NOS completed several  Reddit 'Ask Us Anything' sessions featuring NOS scientists. The AUA on Harmful Algal Blooms  reached an estimated 10.36 million people and included more than 180  questions.  NOS launched its  Instagram in June 2016, which closed out FY 2016 with 13,060 followers.
  NOS Priority: **Coastal Resilience**  New Service for Downloading Chart Updates
                       Hurricane Surge On-demand Forecast System                       
                         
            GRAV-D exceeds 50 percent of total coverage
            
         New Sensor to Detect Harmful Algal Blooms Deployed
         Biodiversity Observing Network Gains Momentum in U.S.
         Surface Current Data Delivered to Weather Forecasting Offices in Near Real-Time
         
           Nuisance Flooding Becomes Part of National Dialogue on Sea Level Rise
            PORTSR turns 25, Helps Three New Seaports Become More Safe and Efficient
            CO-OPS Supports California with Analysis and Outreach on Water Levels and Flooding Due to El Nino
           
        Settlement with BP and Final Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan
            Settlements of Enbridge, Commencement and Gulf-Chevron
            Florida Incident Waterway Debris Response Guide
            Response Highlights in Fiscal Year 2016
            NOAA’s Response Asset Directory
            
               Promoting Nature-based Shorelines to Protect the Coast
              Climate Change Community Vulnerability Assessments in the Chesapeake Bay
              
                Ports Resilience Index Bolsters Preparedness
              Ft. Lauderdale Climate Adaptation Plan Approved
                Building the Capacity of the Coastal Management Community
                  Investing in New York’s Green Infrastructure
                           
         Science evaluation to inform future investments
        NOAA plays a key role at the 13th International Coral Reef Symposium—bridging science to policy
    Partnership critical to coral reef ecosystem conservation in Asia-Pacific
     Data highlights status and trends in the coral reef health
        
           President Obama expands Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
            Monitor and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuaries Expansions Proposed
           MPA Federal Advisory Committee approves “Guiding Principles” for Arctic MPAs created by participatory process
               Inaugural Issue of Earth is Blue: Magazine of the National Marine SanctuariesCoastal

         Expanding NOAA Planet Stewards National Reach and Impact
            Games for Climate Change
                NOS Reaches Larger Audience with Web, Social Media
  **NOS Accomplishments**  Fiscal Year 2016 Highlights
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