# NOS News

Weekly news from NOAA's National Ocean Service.

- Protecting the nation's coastal ocean Alaska has the longest coastline of any state in the nation. The state is also tectonically active and known for its challenging weather and ocean conditions. Many federal agencies are involved with the modernization of critical geospatial data and mapping products for Alaska, with NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS) playing a leading role.          Continue reading &rarr;
- Protecting the nation's coastal ocean NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration, or OR&R for short, protects and restores ocean and coastal resources from the impacts of threats such as oil, chemicals, marine debris, and disasters to benefit the environment, public, and economy. For 25 years, OR&R experts have played a key role ensuring that our coastal communities are resilient and protected for future generations.          Continue reading &rarr;
- Reaching New Heights Scientists at the National Geodetic Survey have completed a 16-year-long project to collect airborne gravity data over the entire US and its territories. This project is called the Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum, or GRAV-D for short. When it is completed, you will be able to get accurate heights to within about an inch for most locations around the nation.          Continue reading &rarr;
- Pollution settlement will benefit salmon, wildlife and people in Portland Harbor, Oregon The U.S. Department of Justice has announced a proposed settlement of approximately $33 million to compensate the public for decades of hazardous substance releases and oil discharges into Oregon's Portland Harbor and Willamette River. The proposed settlement is the result of a collaboration between federal, state and tribal partners to assess injuries to wildlife and surrounding communities from pollution discharged into the harbor.          Continue reading &rarr;
- Maritime commerce in a changing climate The National Ocean Service provides wide-ranging support for the coastal economy — from overhauling marine navigation data, to providing 24/7 high tide flooding outlooks, to ugrading the availability of real-time water and weather data in our nation's busiest ports. Learn how our infrastructure and technological investments strengthen the resilience of our coastal economy in the face of sea level rise and other impacts of a changing climate.          Continue reading &rarr;
- NOS Strategic Plan 2024-2028 NOS is stepping into a larger role relative to filling our nation’s needs for data, products, and services that protect our ecosystems and enhance climate and economic resilience. The newly released NOS Strategic Plan focuses on four overarching goals: increase U.S. coastal resilience, make equity central to our mission, accelerate growth of the Ocean Enterprise and the Blue Economy, and conserve, restore, and connect healthy coastal and marine ecosystems.          Continue reading &rarr;
- Hurricane Lee Emergency Response Imagery On September 17, 2023, the National Geodetic Survey collected aerial damage assessment images in the aftermath of Hurricane Lee. Imagery was collected in specific areas by NOAA aircraft, identified by NOAA in coordination with FEMA and other state and federal partners. Collected images are available to view online via the NGS aerial imagery viewer.          Continue reading &rarr;
- NOS releases modeling strategy The National Ocean Service Modeling Advisory Board has released a five-year strategy to improve prediction of risks to coastal and Great Lakes communities facing the physical and economic threats posed by climate change. Under the NOS Modeling Strategy 2023–2028, NOS will work with partners across NOAA, other federal agencies, academia, industry, nonprofits, and local, state, and tribal governments to advance models that will meet the public’s need for reliable predictions of coastal conditions.          Continue reading &rarr;
- Hurricane Idalia: Aerial Imagery From August 31 - September 2, 2023, the National Geodetic Survey collected aerial damage assessment images in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. Imagery was collected in specific areas by NOAA aircraft, identified by NOAA in coordination with FEMA and other state and federal partners. Collected images are available to view online via the NGS aerial imagery viewer.          Continue reading &rarr;
- Coastal Resilience: How the National Ocean Service supports this national priority As a result of ongoing sea level rise and an increase in extreme storm events, coastal resilience — or the ability of communities to recover after hazardous coastal events — is now a national priority. Here are a few examples of how the National Ocean Service improves resilience by providing science-based solutions, funding, and training.          Continue reading &rarr;
- Studying the health of dolphins after pollution After an oil spill or release of industrial chemicals, it is important to determine if the health of wild dolphins has been impacted. In some cases, a team of scientists and veterinarians may temporarily capture wild dolphins to assess their health.          Continue reading &rarr;
- December 2022 water levels break eight historical records December was an active month for NOAA’s National Water Level Observation Network (NWLON). A staggering eight stations observed all-time high water levels — some of which broke records in place for 40 years. The Pacific Northwest was the most affected region, with four locations in the state of Washington observing their highest-ever water levels on record.          Continue reading &rarr;
- NOS Fiscal Year 2022: Year in Review This report covers staff and program office accomplishments during fiscal year 2022, from new spatial models to help determine the best sites for new offshore wind farms to critical survey missions in the Great Lakes to the recovery of $114 million to restore areas damaged by oil and chemical spills. We hope you take some time to review the many actions NOS has taken, innovative projects we've completed, and scientific endeavors we have embarked upon to advance NOS's priorities.           Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA to Launch Major Advancement in Seasonal High Tide Flooding Predictions In 2023, NOAA plans to unveil a new model to more accurately predict when and where high tide flooding will likely occur up to a year ahead of time. This new information will help coastal communities better prepare and respond to potential flooding days to help lessen possible impacts from climate change.          Continue reading &rarr;
- Meet the International Coral Reef Initiative Get to know the International Coral Reef Initiative — an international partnership to preserve coral reefs and related ecosystems around the world. ICRI unites the global coral community and raises awareness of the need to protect coral reefs.          Continue reading &rarr;
- Corals Week 2022 Celebrate the beauty and importance of coral reef ecosystems. We're celebrating corals on our social media channels from December 5-9, 2022. We hope you join us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Look for #CoralsWeek.           Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Winter High Tide Bulletin There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. View our bulletin to see when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between December 2022 and February 2023.           Continue reading &rarr;
- Save Spectacular: Celebrating 50 Years of National Marine Sanctuaries October 23, 2022, marks the 50th anniversary of NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary System. It’s a milestone in NOAA’s mission to conserve and protect some of the nation's most treasured wildlife, seascapes, maritime heritage, and cultural resources.
- Looking Back and Looking Forward This month, NOS celebrates the 50th anniversary of four major pieces of environmental legislation: the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Clean Water Act. These historic laws provide a foundation for the nation’s ocean and coastal conservation efforts and shape how many Americans view the environment.
- Hurricane Ian: Damage Assessment Imagery Available On September 29, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) began collecting aerial damage assessment images in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Imagery is being collected in specific areas by NOAA aircraft, identified by NOAA in coordination with FEMA and other state and federal partners. Collected images are available to view online via the NGS aerial imagery viewer.                       Continue reading &rarr;
- Ramping Up Renewable Energy: How NOS is helping boost offshore wind energy in the US Two years ago, there were no offshore wind farms in U.S. federal waters. Now, there are two farms, with a total of seven turbines in federal waters, producing roughly 32 megawatts of energy. These numbers are about to get a lot higher. The first two commercial-scale offshore wind projects, which will produce around 900 megawatts of energy, are both under construction. The U.S. government aims to deploy 30 gigawatts of wind energy production in federal waters by 2030. The National Ocean Service (NOS) is helping the nation achieve this goal.          Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Fall High Tide Bulletin There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. View our bulletin to see when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between September and November of 2022.           Continue reading &rarr;
- 2021 National Ocean Service Science Report Explore summaries of selected scientific projects undertaken by our program offices during Fiscal Year 2021. All of these projects were submitted by each program office for consideration in the 2021 NOAA Science Report, within which many are also featured. Each project summary includes a short description of the research conducted by NOS staff, major accomplishment(s), links to published materials, and online project information.Continue reading &rarr;
- Mapping the Gaps in Our Ocean Knowledge with Seabed 2030 We know less about the ocean floor than we do about the surface of the moon and Mars. But by the end of the decade we may know the general outline of our undersea contours and crevasses, thanks to an international project called Seabed 2030. The mapping initiative — formally known as The Nippon Foundation-General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans Seabed 2030 Project — launched in 2017 to “produce the definitive map of the world ocean floor by 2030.”This week, NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad signed a memorandum of understanding in conjunction with the United Nations Ocean Conference that formalizes U.S. participation in Seabed 2030. The memorandum also describes best practices and protocols for this type of data collection, which will help build positive collaboration between all involved countries and partners.Continue reading &rarr;
- Application Guide for the 2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report Now Available Community planners and decision makers now have an application guide to help them plan for the significant sea level rise the United States is expected to see in the next 30 years.The guide is a response to the Interagency Sea Level Rise report, which projected about a foot of higher waters, on average, along U.S. coastlines by 2050. That is as much sea level rise in 30 years as the country witnessed in the previous century.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Summer High Tide Bulletin There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. View our bulletin to see when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between June and August 2022. Continue reading &rarr;
- Container Ship MV Ever Forward is Moving Again The large container ship waylaid in the Chesapeake Bay for weeks was back on the move by early morning on Sunday, April 17. The MV Ever Forward went aground in the mud close to Annapolis, Maryland, on March 13 after traveling south out of the Port of Baltimore. Soon after the grounding took place, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region contacted the NOAA scientific support coordinator (SSC). At the Coast Guard's request, NOAA provided scientific support and modeling to assist in the response, including detailed weather and water level information. The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the grounding.NOAA’s team from the Office of Response and Restoration worked with the Coast Guard throughout the past few weeks to get the large vessel safely back into the proper shipping channel and on track to deliver its containers to Norfolk, Virginia. Both government agencies worked together with the state of Maryland and the responsible party, the company that owns the ship, in a unified command effort close to the ship’s location.Continue reading &rarr;
- The NOAA Science Behind Marking the U.S. Census Center of Population The United States has a new center of population, and NOAA will mark the spot in the Ozark Mountains later this fall. This week, as we celebrate National Surveyors Week, we are inviting everyone to learn about the science behind this effort.Hartville, Missouri, is the nation's center of population, based on the latest U.S. Census data. NOAA scientists will mark this point with a commemorative bench mark in 2022. The center of population represents the average location of where people in the United States live.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Spring High Tide Bulletin There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. View our bulletin to see when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between March and May 2022. Continue reading &rarr;
- 2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report The Sea Level Rise Technical Report provides the most up-to-date sea level rise projections available for all U.S. states and territories; decision-makers will look to it for information. This multi-agency effort, representing the first update since 2017, offers projections out to the year 2150 and information to help communities assess potential changes in average tide heights and height-specific threshold frequencies as they strive to adapt to sea level rise. Continue reading &rarr;
- Major Update to NOAA's Coastal County Snapshots A major update to a popular NOAA tool used to inform planning and decision-making in coastal communities is now online. Coastal County Snapshots, available on NOAA's Digital Coast platform, turns complex data into easy-to-understand charts, graphics, and information. Users simply select an area of interest and the website does the rest — displaying an automated, easy-to-understand county-level analysis for a topic selected by the user Snapshot topic areas are focused on issues important to any coastal community working to become more resilient to climate change — flooding, sea level rise, and economics.Continue reading &rarr;
- National Ocean Service Annual Report NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) provides science-based solutions through collaborative partnerships to address the evolving economic, environmental, and social pressures on our ocean and coasts.In Fiscal Year 2021, we increased navigation safety, strengthened coastal resilience efforts, improved the monitoring and detection of harmful algal blooms, and facilitated the advancement of coral restoration efforts. These are just some of the many accomplishments from this fiscal year that NOS is pleased to share in this report.We also provided a wide variety of emergency services in response to nine severe storm events and four tropical cyclone events, while continuing to respond to additional challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.Continue reading &rarr;
- Winter High Tide Bulletin There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. View our bulletin to see when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between November 2021 and February 2022.Continue reading &rarr;
- Over $130 Million to Restore 10 Polluted Waterways Across the Country When pollution harms American waterways, it’s not enough to simply clean up the contamination. Restoring the environment means implementing projects that help habitats, wildlife, and coastal communities recover quickly and completely.In fiscal year 2021, NOAA helped to recover over $130 million to restore 10 polluted waterways after oil spills and industrial pollution. NOAA and partners worked to evaluate the impacts of pollution and reach legal agreements with those responsible for pollution to fund restoration.Funds will be used to create salmon habitat, benefit marine mammals, construct public parks and boat launches, and restore salt marsh and other habitats that bolster coastal resilience. These restoration projects also provide economic benefits to coastal communities, including underserved and indigenous communities often disproportionately affected by pollution.Where pollution caused harm, these funds will be used to make coastal ecosystems and communities whole.Shown here, a rusty radiator and other debris are found at low tide along the Duwamish River in Seattle, one of the sites slated for restoration.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Awards $15.2M for Harmful Algal Bloom Research NOAA is announcing $15.2M in funding for harmful algal bloom (HAB) research projects throughout U.S. coastal and Great Lakes waters. HABs can produce toxins or cause other harmful effects that can damage ecosystems, disrupt our seafood supply, impact economies, and threaten human health. Marine and fresh waters of the United States are increasingly impacted by HABs with blooms reported in nearly every state. They cause annual economic losses up to $100 million on average and costs from a single major HAB event can reach tens of millions of dollars. Investments in these projects represent a coordinated effort within the National Ocean Service to advance our nation's ability to observe, monitor, forecast, and manage blooms.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Proposes Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve In September 2021, NOAA and the state of Connecticut began to solicit public comment on a proposed Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve located along Long Island Sound. If approved, this site could become the 30th U.S. estuarine research reserve as soon as January 2022, and would help conserve valuable wetland habitat, consistent with President Biden’s America the Beautiful initiative..
- International Guidelines on Natural and Nature-Based Features for Flood Risk Management High tide flooding events are increasing across the nation. With 40% of the U.S. population living in coastal counties and that population projected to increase, it is clear that a significant portion of the nation is increasingly vulnerable to these hazards. The recently published U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-led International Guidelines on the Use of Natural and Nature-Based Features for Flood Risk Management represent the current state of the science on conceptualizing, planning, designing, engineering, implementing, and maintaining natural and nature-based feature (NNBF) projects.Continue reading &rarr;
- Hurricane Henri Emergency Response Imagery On August 23, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) began collecting aerial images in the aftermath of Hurricane Henri. Imagery is being collected in specific areas identified by NOAA in coordination with state partners. Collected images are available to view online via the NGS aerial imagery viewer.Continue reading &rarr;
- Fall High Tide Bulletin The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. This bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between September and November, 2021. We also publish annual high tide flooding reports that present a broad outlook of what to expect for a given year in terms of high tide flooding, as well as a summary of high tide flooding events for the previous calendar year.Note: Higher than normal high tides alone do not necessarily cause coastal flooding. However, they are becoming increasingly impactful due to continued sea level rise. High tide flooding that inundates busy streets, and washes out beaches is more likely to occur during these periods depending on your location along the coast.  More severe flooding may result if adverse weather—heavy rains, strong wind or big waves—conditions are present. Continue reading &rarr;
- Coral Reefs and Coastal Communities: Trends from Socioeconomic Surveying in South Florida Coral reefs are under intense pressure from climate change, pollution, and unsustainable use. So what can we do about it? To answer that question, we need to better understand the connections and interactions between coral reefs and nearby human populations. In this story, NOAA socioeconomic survey results show how the views of South Florida residents have changed between studies conducted in 2014 and 2019. Continue reading &rarr;
- Now Available: Enhanced Gulf of Mexico Harmful Algal Bloom Forecasting Products NOAA’s newly enhanced harmful algal bloom forecasts are now available to the public in real time. The forecasts are higher resolution, providing hourly observations at the individual beach level. Analysis of "red tide" algal bloom locations and reported impacts are now automated, and reports include forecasts of potential development, intensification, transport, and impacts of algal blooms.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Celebrates 30 Years of Safer Marine Navigation Through PORTS® In the early 1980’s, two shipping vessel collisions at the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge happened within weeks of each other. These accidents spurred Federal legislation leading to the development and establishment of NOAA’s first Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS®) in 1991. This July, PORTS celebrates 30 years of providing commercial vessel operators with accurate and reliable real-time environmental conditions to enhance the safety and efficiency of maritime commerce.Continue reading &rarr;
- Global Platform Initiates Plan to Save Coral Reefs The governing body of the Global Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform held its first meeting last month. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was elected as the inaugural chair of the Initiative Governing Committee and the United States, represented by NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, was elected as vice chair. G20 leaders announced the creation of the platform during the last summit to improve coral conservation and restoration outcomes around the world with a suite of superior science and technology approaches. Coral reef ecosystems are essential for marine species and coastal communities. They support a quarter of all marine life, including many recreational and commercial species. Corals support billions of dollars in tourism, and provide protection from flooding and waves. However, both shallow and deep water coral reefs are facing multiple challenges from climate impacts, fishing pressures, land-based sources of pollution, and more. Continue reading &rarr;
- Celebrating 50 Years of Internationally Important Wetlands 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 designated a Ramsar wetland, candidate sites must fulfill at least one of nine specific criteria. Of the 2,400 sites around the world, 41 are found in the U.S. and three are within the NOAA family — each of which are major stopover points for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway in California. Continue reading &rarr;
- Summer High Tide Bulletin The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. This bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between June and August, 2021. We also publish annual high tide flooding reports that present a broad outlook of what to expect for a given year in terms of high tide flooding, as well as a summary of high tide flooding events for the previous calendar year.Note: Higher than normal high tides alone do not necessarily cause coastal flooding. However, they are becoming increasingly impactful due to continued sea level rise. High tide flooding that inundates busy streets, and washes out beaches is more likely to occur during these periods depending on your location along the coast.  More severe flooding may result if adverse weather—heavy rains, strong wind or big waves—conditions are present. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Launches First National Rip Current Forecast Model For the first time, NOAA is launching a national rip current forecast model, aimed at saving lives of beach-goers around the country. This new model can predict the hourly probability of rip currents along U.S. beaches up to six days out. Continue reading &rarr;
- Making Waves: Notable Women in Ocean Science In recognition of Women’s History Month, we’re honoring a few notable women with careers tied to ocean science. While this list is by no means comprehensive, it pays homage to some of the women who defied social convention and paved the way for scientists, regardless of their gender, to protect, study, and explore the ocean and ocean life. Continue reading &rarr;
- Spring High Tide Bulletin The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. This bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between March and May, 2021. We also publish annual high tide flooding reports that present a broad outlook of what to expect for a given year in terms of high tide flooding, as well as a summary of high tide flooding events for the previous calendar year.Note: Higher than normal high tides alone do not necessarily cause coastal flooding. However, they are becoming increasingly impactful due to continued sea level rise. High tide flooding that inundates busy streets, and washes out beaches is more likely to occur during these periods depending on your location along the coast.  More severe flooding may result if adverse weather—heavy rains, strong wind or big waves—conditions are present. Continue reading &rarr;
- 5 Ocean Terms You May Not Know — But Should! Tidal Bore. Hadal Zone. Mixotrophy. Sneaker Wave. Gravity Wave. Here are five little-known but fascinating ocean phenomena that will leave you wanting to learn more.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Tide and Tidal Current Predictions Available Online All NOAA tide and tidal current predictions for locations around the nation are available in electronic form online. NOAA eliminated paper publications of the annual Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables in 2020. The change from print to online tables allows us to modernize this long-standing product by bringing it into the digital age. Online predictions are more accurate and up-to-date than what is provided in the annual printed tables. NOAA tide predictions are used by both commercial and recreational mariners for safe navigation.Continue reading &rarr;
- 2020 Year in Review NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) provides science-based solutions through collaborative partnerships to address the evolving economic, environmental, and social pressures on our ocean and coasts. In Fiscal Year 2020, we developed groundbreaking mapping strategies, innovative and ambitious coral reef restoration plans, and improvements to cutting-edge spatial data tools to support disaster response and recovery; these are just some of the many accomplishments that NOS is pleased to share in this report. Continue reading &rarr;
- Winter High Tide Bulletin The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. This bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between December 2020 and February 2021. We also publish annual high tide flooding reports that present a broad outlook of what to expect for a given year in terms of high tide flooding, as well as a summary of high tide flooding events for the previous calendar year.Note: Higher than normal high tides alone do not necessarily cause coastal flooding. However, they are becoming increasingly impactful due to continued sea level rise. High tide flooding that inundates busy streets, and washes out beaches is more likely to occur during these periods depending on your location along the coast.  More severe flooding may result if adverse weather—heavy rains, strong wind or big waves—conditions are present. Continue reading &rarr;
- A Tale of Three Datums: Keeping Up With an Ever-changing Earth NOAA is currently working on three major updates to vertical datums. They’re used for everything from nautical charts and flood maps to infrastructure planning. A datum is a reference system that starts at an agreed data point. You’re probably familiar with at least one horizontal datum — latitude and longitude. If you’ve been to a mountaintop and seen a sign with the distance above sea level, you’re also familiar with vertical datums, which measure heights. Here’s a rundown on what we’re updating and why.Continue reading &rarr;
- Hurricane Zeta Emergency Response Imagery Available Online On October 29, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) began collecting aerial images in the aftermath of Hurricane Zeta. Imagery is being collected in specific areas identified by NOAA in coordination with FEMA and other state and federal partners. Collected images are available to view online via the NGS aerial imagery viewer. View tips and a video on how to use the imagery viewer.Continue reading &rarr;
- Hurricane Delta Emergency Response Imagery Available Online On October 10, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) began collecting aerial damage assessment images in the aftermath of Hurricane Delta. Imagery was collected in specific areas identified by NOAA in coordination with FEMA and other state and federal partners. Collected images are available to view online via the NGS aerial imagery viewer. View tips on how to use the imagery viewer. Continue reading &rarr;
- Estuary Education Goes Virtual Each year as many as 90,000 students visit the 29 National Estuarine Research Reserves on field trips, summer camps, and other educational programs. But this year has been different. To continue giving children the environmental education experience, reserve staff got creative, developing robust virtual educational programs and activities for children, teachers, and the homeschooling parents.Continue reading &rarr;
- Hurricane Sally Aerial Damage Assessment Imagery Available From September 18-21, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) collected aerial damage assessment images in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally. Imagery was collected in specific areas identified by NOAA in coordination with state and federal partners. Collected images are available to view online via the NGS aerial imagery viewer. View tips on how to use the imagery viewer.NOAA's aerial imagery aids safe navigation and captures damage to coastal areas caused by a storm. Aerial imagery is a crucial tool to determine the extent of the damage inflicted by flooding, and to compare baseline coastal areas to assess the damage to major ports and waterways, coastlines, critical infrastructure, and coastal communities. This imagery provides a cost-effective way to better understand the damage sustained to both property and the environment. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Improves Marine Navigation Near Georgia and New Hampshire Naval Bases Two new Physical Oceanographic Real-Time Systems, also known as PORTS®, are improving maritime safety near Kings Bay, Georgia, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, near two U.S. Navy installations. NOAA and the U.S. Navy partnered to install the first new PORTS in two years, the 34th and 35th in the nationwide network.PORTS is a partnership program with local port authorities, pilot associations, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Navy, academia, and other stakeholders across the nation. In addition to other noted benefits, these systems also improve hazardous spill response and enhance recreational activities.Continue reading &rarr;
- Fall High Tide Bulletin The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. This bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between between September from November 2020.We also publish annual high tide flooding reports that present a broad outlook of what to expect for a given year in terms of high tide flooding, as well as a summary of high tide flooding events for the previous calendar year.Continue reading &rarr;
- Hurricane Laura Aerial Damage Assessment Imagery Available On August 27, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) began collecting aerial damage assessment images in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. Imagery is being collected in specific areas identified by NOAA in coordination with FEMA and other state and federal partners. Collected images are available to view online via the NGS aerial imagery viewer. Additional imagery will be posted as aerial overflights continue.Continue reading &rarr;
- IOOS Ocean Technology Transition Project Grants Announced Once the domain of ships and researchers at sea, new technologies are offering us ways to explore more of our ocean and coasts more often at lower cost. The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System's (IOOS®) Ocean Technology Transition project, an ongoing multi-year cooperative grant program, is one effort working to meet the need for new technology and novel approaches to address ocean observing needs.OTT looks for developing ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing, product development, and data management technologies for which there is a known need and steps in to accelerate its transition to operations. These technologies include hardware and software platforms, sensors, and data management aimed at improving available ocean information to support decision making for the coastal ocean, and Great Lakes’ environments.	For 2020, IOOS, in conjunction with the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP), sought projects focused on regional coastal ocean observing systems and advancing data management and cyber infrastructure for observations. Here are the grants awarded in 2020.Continue reading &rarr;
- Common Misconceptions about the Ocean Misconceptions about the ocean can lead people to the wrong conclusions about conservation, climate change, and marine life. There are quite a few widely accepted ideas about the ocean that are not accurate. Here are the facts behind some common ocean myths. How many do you know?Continue reading &rarr;
- Isaias Damage Assessment Imagery Available On August 3, 2020, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) began collecting aerial damage assessment images of areas affected by Tropical Storm Isaias. Imagery is being collected in specific areas identified by NOAA in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard. Collected images are available to view online via the NGS aerial imagery viewer. Continue reading &rarr;
- Precision Navigation NOAA's Precision Marine Navigation team is creating new online services to enable more efficient access to the NOAA data that powers private-sector marine navigation products. The goal is to foster innovation, improve navigation safety, aid in more efficient coastal route planning, and help mariners make informed decisions as they navigate our nation's waterways. Continue reading &rarr;
- Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom Forecast Improved The Lake Erie HAB Forecast now incorporates a 3D hydrodynamic model to better understand what's going on beneath the surface of Lake Erie, critical to managing drinking water intakes and prime fishing spots. In addition, the forecast website is easier to use, with animations and dashboards to help users better understand maps and key elements.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA's Emergency Response Imagery How to use the National Geodetic Survey's online viewer to explore aerial images following major natural disasters.Continue reading &rarr;
- U.S. Marine Biodiversity Observing Network Changes in marine biodiversity—the variety and variability of life in the ocean—can be an early indicator of change, provided it's noticed. The U.S. Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) aims to ensure that scientists not only notice changes in biodiversity at locations around the nation, but also have the tools in place to better understand what these changes tell us about ocean health over time. But marine life doesn't know borders. That's why the U.S. network also supports international cooperation with other marine biodiversity networks, research institutions, governmental and non-governmental organizations and stakeholders around the world towards development of a truly global MBON. Continue reading &rarr;
- Summer High Tide Bulletin The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. This bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between between June and August 2020.We also publish annual high tide flooding reports that present a broad outlook of what to expect for a given year in terms of high tide flooding, as well as a summary of high tide flooding events for the previous calendar year.Continue reading &rarr;
- Advances in Oil Spill Science and Technology NOAA was on the scene of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill from the earliest moments of the crisis in April 2010. Our scientists used data from satellites, aircraft, ships, buoys, and gliders to collect and provide mission-critical information to guide the emergency response to the spill, as well as the long-term assessment and restoration of the Gulf Coast. Now, ten years later, we look at a few examples of how lessons learned during and research following Deepwater Horizon have better prepared the agency to provide expert scientific support for future events.Continue reading &rarr;
- What is a bilby tower? NOAA's National Geodetic Survey and its predecessor organizations have been using geodesy to map the U.S. shoreline, determine land boundaries, and improve transportation and navigation safety for over two centuries.Today, surveyors rely on the Global Positioning System, a constellation of satellites that transmit radio signals from space. When used according to special procedures, GPS receivers on Earth can determine position coordinates to centimeter-level accuracy (less than one-half inch).However, surveying used to be a much more difficult earthbound endeavor.Continue reading &rarr;
- Spring High Tide Bulletin There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. View our bulletin to see when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between March and May 2020.Continue reading &rarr;
- Exploring the Secrets of Marsh Happiness NOAA research reserve scientists and partners recently published a study that examines the secret to marsh happiness. The team learned that “happy” marshes shared similar characteristics, whereas “unhappy” marshes deteriorate in diverse ways. By understanding how marshes can deteriorate so differently, coastal managers can make wiser conservation decisions. Continue reading &rarr;
- National Ocean Service Annual Report From the designation of a new national marine sanctuary to new agreements to restore natural resources damaged from pollution to the collection of emergency response aerial imagery, 2019 was a busy year. Read about our accomplishments from last year in our annual report.Continue reading &rarr;
- Winter High Tide Bulletin There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. View our bulletin to see when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between December 2019 and February 2020.Continue reading &rarr;
- Corals Week 2019 We're celebrating corals on our social media channels from December 2-6, 2019. We hope you join us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Look for #CoralsWeek. Continue reading &rarr;
- Native American Heritage Month November is National American Indian Heritage Month, a time set aside to pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. NOAA’s support happens on a daily basis, as the agency is responsible for enforcing the Coastal Zone Management Act, legislation that dictates national standards for the stewardship and conservation of coastal resources. We offer a few examples of how NOAA partners with state agencies and tribes to protect the natural resources that often represent the foundation of tribal communities and their traditions.Continue reading &rarr;
- Tracking Marine Animals Worldwide (on the World Wide Web!) Animal telemetry, the science of gathering information on the movement and behavior of marine organisms using animal-borne sensors, or tags, is a rising star in the field of ocean observing. Now, after years in development, an online portal is available that allows anyone to view the movement and behavior of tagged marine organisms worldwide using a web browser.Continue reading &rarr;
- A Tale of Two Feet Since 1959, land surveyors and other geospatial professionals have had two standards to measure the length of a foot — the U.S. survey foot and the international foot — both supported by the National Geodetic Survey and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. And they’re not exactly equal. Find out why NOAA and NIST are retiring the U.S. survey foot, and standardizing on the international foot.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA 2020 Tide Tables are Available NOAA 2020 tide tables are now available. NOAA tide predictions are used by both commercial and recreational mariners for safe navigation. NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services produce these tide tables on an annual basis.NOAA will eliminate paper publications of the annual Tide Tables and Tidal Current Tables beginning next year. All NOAA Tide Predictions and NOAA Current predictions are available in electronic form online.The change from print to online tables allows us to modernize this long-standing product by bringing it into the digital age. Online predictions are more accurate and up-to-date than what is provided in the annual printed tables.Continue reading &rarr;
- National Estuaries Week Gets Active The country’s research reserves are about more than simply enjoying or experiencing; they’re about doing. These places — and their staff, volunteers, and visitors — conserve, study, educate, clean, restore, and unite. We encourage you to head out to your favorite reserve, get actively involved, and post a photo on social media with #IDidThis. For inspiration, we offer a few examples of the actions the reserves, and the people who love them, have taken to make a difference. Continue reading &rarr;
- Harmful Algal Blooms: Regional Information If you live near the coast or the Great Lakes, you've probably experienced a harmful algal bloom — HAB for short. HABs occur when algae — simple photosynthetic organisms that live in the sea and freshwater — grow out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds. Visit our new portal for region-specific HAB information, links, and resources. Continue reading &rarr;
- Fall 2019 High Tide Bulletin The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. This bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between September and November 2019. Continue reading &rarr;
- Hurricane Dorian Damage Assessment Imagery On September 4, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) began collecting U.S. aerial damage assessment images for Hurricane Dorian. Imagery is being collected in specific areas identified by NOAA in coordination with FEMA and other state and federal partners. Collected images are available to view online via the NGS aerial imagery viewer. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Responds to Ongoing Outbreak of Coral Disease in Florida Florida's coral reefs are experiencing a multi-year outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease. Here is a description of the problem, what NOAA and partners are doing in response to the problem, and how you can help.Continue reading &rarr;
- Assessing Barry's Damage to Coastal Communities from the Air Aerial images from the National Geodetic Survey are available for viewing and download as flights continue along the Gulf of Mexico coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Barry.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA report: Growth in U.S. Ocean Economic Sectors Continues to Outpace Overall Economy The nation’s ocean and Great Lakes continue to fuel economic growth across the nation. The latest economic figures in NOAA’s report on the U.S. Ocean and Great Lakes Economy show employment from the ocean economy grew 2.7% in 2016, compared to the national average employment growth of 1.7%.Continue reading &rarr;
- Summer 2019 High Tide Bulletin The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. Our bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides between June and August, 2019.Continue reading &rarr;
- A Boatload of Nautical Products NOAA's Office of Coast Survey, the nation's nautical chartmaker, provides a suite of products to help make maritime transportation safe for all users. The Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) is the authoritative source for accurate, reliable, and timely water-level and current measurements. Explore free NOAA products available from these offices to help make your next trip an enjoyable one.Continue reading &rarr;
- Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs Healthy coral reefs are one of the most valuable ecosystems on Earth. They provide billions of dollars in economic and environmental services, such as food, coastal protection, and tourism. However, coral ecosystems around the world face serious threats from a number of sources, including climate change, unsustainable fishing, land-based pollution, coastal development, disease, and invasive species. Recently, scientists have discovered that some of the chemicals found in sunscreen and other personal health products also threaten the health of coral reefs. How these, and other compounds, affect reef ecosystems remains an active area of research among scientists.Continue reading &rarr;
- Ocean Tourism and Recreation Did you know that the last time you spent a night in a beachfront bed and breakfast or enjoyed a seafood meal overlooking the ocean, you were supporting an industry that employs over two million people in this country? Chances are you didn’t realize that your much-needed vacation was as important to the national economy as it was to your own well-being.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Science Helps Restore Coastal Places Thousands of oil spills happen every year, and most pollution cases don’t make the news. But when there’s a major oil spill or pollutant found in the water, you hear about it. Local, state, and federal government agencies rush to clean up the mess. In many cases, after a few days or weeks, it’s out of the spotlight. This is just the beginning of the story, however. In can take years or decades for waterways to recover from pollution. NOAA is just one of the federal government agencies tasked with settling in for the long haul. Its role is to use science to figure out exactly what damage has been done so that ecosystems can be restored.Continue reading &rarr;
- Citizen Science Public participation in scientific research is a growing trend in our increasingly crowdsourced world. Citizen science, as it is called, typically involves data collection by members of the public who pass their information along to researchers trying to answer real-world questions.Volunteer monitoring has contributed for many years to diverse fields ranging from astronomy to medicine and computer science to natural resource management. Volunteers benefit from opportunities for informal education, while contributing to outreach efforts that promote public understanding of scientific issues. See how you can help!Continue reading &rarr;
- Protecting Our Ocean — and Our Bottom Line Improving the health of our ocean requires investment. But that investment doesn’t have to be a choice between our planet and our pocketbooks. Sometimes solutions to ocean problems can save money. Read on to learn more about three solutions to ocean problems that NOAA researchers found save or even make money.Continue reading &rarr;
- Reaching New Heights An ambitious project to survey the nation's gravity field will soon allow us to calculate heights to within about an inch for most locations in the United States.Mapping out hurricane evacuation routes and floodplains are just two cases in which it is critical to know accurate land heights. That's because heights tell us which way water will flow. How we calculate heights based on mean sea level today is good, but it's complicated, expensive, and time-consuming. But National Geodetic Survey experts are working to make it better, faster, and cheaper.Continue reading &rarr;
- Making Waves: Notable Women in Ocean Science In recognition of Women’s History Month, we’re honoring a few notable women with careers tied to ocean science. While this list is by no means comprehensive, it pays homage to some of the women who defied social convention and paved the way for scientists, regardless of their gender, to protect, study, and explore the ocean and ocean life.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA's Role in Dealing with Oil and Chemical Spills Each year, there are thousands of oil and chemical spills in coastal waters around the nation. These spills range from small ship collisions to fuel transfer mishaps to massive spill events like the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.The release of oil and chemicals into our coastal waterways can kill wildlife, destroy habitat, and contaminate critical resources in the food chain. Spills can also wreak havoc on the economies of coastal communities by forcing the closure of fisheries, driving away tourists, or temporarily shutting down navigation routes. And these environmental and economic damages can linger for decades.When dealing with oil and chemical spills, there are many questions that need to be answered. What was spilled? Where is the spill likely to travel in the water? How is the local environment affected now — and how might it be affected down the road? What's the best way to clean up the spill? How will balance be restored to the environment after the damage has been done? NOAA brings scientific expertise to the table to help answer these questions.Continue reading &rarr;
- Spring 2019 High Tide Bulletin The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. Our bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides between March and May, 2019.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOS Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report Celebrate the outstanding accomplishments across National Ocean Service programs in Fiscal Year 2018. More than 40 examples of our success appear in the newly released Fiscal Year 2018 Year in Review. Continue reading &rarr;
- Winter High Tide Bulletin The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. Our bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides between December 2018 and February 2019.Continue reading &rarr;
- Corals Week 2018 Join us December 3-7, 2018, as we celebrate the beauty and importance of coral reef ecosystems. #CoralsWeek2018Continue reading &rarr;
- How do we make nautical charts? A nautical chart is a map of the sea. Just as a map helps us navigate on land, a nautical chart helps those traveling on the ocean get where they’re going safely and efficiently.In 2017, $1.6 trillion worth of goods moved through U.S. ports. With all that traffic, it’s important that those navigating through our ports and along our coastlines have the information they need about the shape of the shoreline and seafloor, water depths, potential hazards in the water, buoys, anchorages, and other features.Federal laws say most commercial vessels must have nautical charts while traveling in U.S. waters. NOAA's Office of Coast Survey makes and updates all charts of U.S. coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and waters surrounding U.S. territories. So how do these important resources get made and updated? It’s a continuous process that involves many people from different disciplines and organizations.Continue reading &rarr;
- 2018 Pacific Expeditions: Corals and Clean-Up In 2018, NOAA scientists and partners embarked on two lengthy voyages, crossing through some of the most remote regions of the Pacific Ocean.During the first mission aboard NOAA Ship Hi‘ialakai, researchers surveyed coral reef ecosystems in American Samoa and the Pacific Remote Islands. The goal of this annual expedition is to take a snapshot of the health and abundance of corals and reef fishes.The second expedition, aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette, focused on cleaning up marine debris from the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. During this voyage, the team removed more than 160,000 pounds of lost or abandoned fishing nets and plastics from this ecologically and culturally significant area, part of Papahānaumokuāea Marine National Monument.View our top five photos from each mission below. Then take a look at all available photos from the 2018 coral reef and marine debris missions to find your favorites.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA 2019 Tide Tables are Available NOAA 2019 tide tables are now available. NOAA tide predictions are used by both commercial and recreational mariners for safe navigation. Printed tide tables provide users with tide and tidal current predictions in an easy-to-read format for particular locations. NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services produce these tide tables on an annual basis.Continue reading &rarr;
- Nature’s Power to Heal and Teach Transitioning from the dangers of military service to the stresses of civilian life and employment can be daunting. Numerous studies document the healing benefits of outdoor activities. NOAA puts this information to good use by collaborating with other organizations to provide programs that offer opportunities to enjoy nature, work outdoors, and contribute to meaningful projects. Here are three examples.Continue reading &rarr;
- Top Five: Weird Ocean Phenomena The ocean may conjure images of beautiful waves, shipwrecks, and marine life. But strange things happen in the ocean as a result of weather and currents. The five events described here are just a few of them.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Expands Coastal Opportunities for People with Disabilities Throughout the nation’s coastal zone, NOAA and its partners are breaking down barriers to coastal access. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the theme, “Empowering All,” provides a good opportunity to recognize advances and needs as they relate to coastal access. Here are highlights from two NOAA programs—the National Coastal Zone Management Program and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.Continue reading &rarr;
- Hurricane Michael: NOAA Damage Assessment Aerial Imagery The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is now collecting damage assessment imagery in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. Weather permitting, aerial imagery is being collected in specific areas identified by NOAA in coordination with FEMA and other state and federal partners.  During the mission, NGS will attempt two missions a day. Images are updated every 12 hours, which includes flight and processing time. Collected images are available to view online via the NGS aerial imagery viewer. Continue reading &rarr;
- A Guide to Plastic in the Ocean Plastic is everywhere: In your home, your office, your school — and your ocean. Among the top 10 kinds of trash picked up during the 2017 International Coastal Cleanup were food wrappers, beverage bottles, grocery bags, straws, and take out containers, all made of plastic. How did it all get there? Why is it a problem? What can we do?Continue reading &rarr;
- Hurricane Florence: NOAA Damage Assessment Aerial Imagery The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is now collecting damage assessment imagery in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. Weather permitting, aerial imagery is being collected in specific areas identified by NOAA in coordination with FEMA and other state and federal partners.  During the mission, NGS will attempt two missions a day. Images are updated every 12 hours, which includes flight and processing time. Collected images are available to view online via the NGS aerial imagery viewer. Continue reading &rarr;
- High Tide Bulletin: Fall 2018 The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. Our bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides between September and November 2018Continue reading &rarr;
- High Tide Bulletin: Fall 2018 The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. Our bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides between September and November 2018Continue reading &rarr;
- Responding to Severe Weather Events 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 respond to the challenges facing our oceans and coasts. The following is an overview of our roles and responsibilities related to severe weather event preparedness, response, and recovery.Continue reading &rarr;
- World Hydrography Day Reddit "Ask Us Anything" How (and why) do we map the U.S. seafloor? Join us on June 21, 2018, to ask your questions!Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA report: U.S. Ocean Economic Sectors Growing Twice as Fast as Overall Economy The nation’s ocean and Great Lakes continue to fuel economic growth across the U.S. The latest economic figures in NOAA’s report on the U.S. Ocean and Great Lakes Economy show gross domestic product (GDP) from the ocean economy grew 5.7 percent between 2014 and 2015, more than twice as fast as the U.S. economy as a whole, which grew by 2.7 percent. Continue reading &rarr;
- Hope for Corals:  Growing Species Resilience in Coral Nurseries Historically, coral conservationists have focused their efforts on protecting these invaluable marine resources from direct environmental threats, like land-based pollution and damaging fishing practices. While these efforts continue, researchers are now also looking at ways to tackle coral reef restoration more proactively.Continue reading &rarr;
- Ten Common Words with Uncommon Meanings in Spill Response Boom? Hazing? Mousse? Here a few common words that have special meaning in context of responding to oil and chemical spills in the ocean.Continue reading &rarr;
- Travel and Tourism Week: Ocean Tourism and Recreation Spotlight Did you know that the last time you spent a night in a beachfront bed and breakfast or enjoyed a seafood meal overlooking the ocean, you were supporting an industry that employs over two million people in this country? Chances are you didn’t realize that your much-needed vacation was as important to the national economy as it was to your own well-being. May 6-12, 2018, is the 35th celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week, and there is indeed a lot to celebrate. Travel is America’s second largest industry export, and the country’s travel industry directly and indirectly generates a whopping $2.3 trillion annually.Continue reading &rarr;
- New real-time data system helps Miami seaport safely bring in ships Every day off the Florida coast, pilots steer mega-ships down a watery highway into the Miami seaport. Each ship must stay on a narrow, carefully-planned course to protect the lives on board, the sensitive ecosystem, and the thousands of containers loaded up with furniture, machines, clothes, food, beverages and other commodities bound for the United States.As they approach the port, they have a challenge: strong currents from the Gulf Stream run perpendicular to the shipping channel. The pilots need information on the currents to immediately make navigation decisions.Miami ship pilots now have access to real-time information that will help them get into seaport more safely, thanks to a new NOAA system called Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS ® ).Continue reading &rarr;
- New NOAA Report Looks at National Coastal Flood Vulnerability NOAA scientists have demonstrated a new method to assess flood vulnerability in the United States on a national to regional level.A report, spearheaded by sea level experts from NOAA’s Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services, looked at existing flood thresholds established by the National Weather Service and found patterns in the thresholds based upon tide range. They were then able to apply that pattern nationwide and find a statistical and consistent way to measure and monitor minor high tide flooding, as well as moderate and major flooding in locations where no threshold exists.The report finds that, on average, U.S. coastal infrastructure is vulnerable to minor, moderate, and major flooding at heights of about 0.5, 0.8, and 1.2 meters above the average daily highest tide (Mean Higher High Water). Trends in annual high tide flood frequencies are increasing or accelerating at two-thirds of the roughly 100 locations examined.Continue reading &rarr;
- Taking Data Further with Standards Imagine reading a book, written by many different authors, each working apart from the others, without guidelines, and published without edits.  That book is a difficult read — it's in 23 different languages, there's no consistency in character names, and the story gets lost.  As a reader, you have an uphill battle to get the information to tell you one cohesive story.  Data is a lot like that, and that's why data standards matter.  By establishing common standards for the collection, storage, and control of data and information, data can go farther, be integrated with other data, and make "big data" research and development possible.For example, NOAA collects around 20 terabytes of data every day.Through the National Ocean Service, instruments are at work daily gathering physical data in the ocean, from current speed to the movement of schools of fish and much more.  Hundreds of government agencies and programs generate this information to fulfill their missions and mandates, but without consistency from agency to agency, the benefits of that data are limited.  In addition to federal agencies, there are hundreds more non-federal and academic researchers gathering data every day.  Having open, available, comprehensive data standards that are widely implemented facilitates data sharing, and when data is shared, it maximizes the benefits of "big data"— integrated, multi-source data that yields a whole greater than its parts. Continue reading &rarr;
- High Tide Bulletin: Spring 2018 The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. Our bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides from March to May 2018.Continue reading &rarr;
- International Year of the Reef Hidden beneath the ocean waters, coral reefs teem with life. Coral reefs support more species than any other marine environment and rival rainforests in their biodiversity. Countless numbers of creatures rely on coral reefs for their survival. These important habitats are threatened by a range of human activities. Many of the world’s reefs have already been destroyed or severely damaged by an increasing array of threats, including pollution, unsustainable fishing practices, and global climate change. However, we can still protect and preserve our remaining reefs if we act now. NOAA is leading U.S. efforts to study and conserve these precious resources for future generations.NOAA is an International Year of the Reef partner. This yearlong designation aims to strengthen awareness globally about the value of, and threats to, coral reefs and associated ecosystems; promote partnerships between governments, the private sector, academia and civil society on the management of coral reefs; identify and implement effective management strategies for conservation, increased resiliency and sustainable use of these ecosystems and promoting best practices; and share information on best practices in relation to sustainable coral reef management.Continue reading &rarr;
- Celebrate Estuaries Join us as we celebrate estuaries—where rivers meet the sea—throughout the month of February.Estuaries and their surrounding wetlands are bodies of water usually found where rivers meet the sea. Estuaries are home to unique plant and animal communities that have adapted to brackish water—a mixture of fresh water draining from the land and salty seawater.Continue reading &rarr;
- Sanctuary Ocean Count Every year in January, February, and March, volunteers count whales from the shores of Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island for the annual Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count.The Sanctuary Ocean Count launched in 1996 when 150 volunteers took to the shorelines of Oahu to count Hawaii’s endangered whale population and document the animals’ surface behavior. The event now draws more than 2,000 volunteers across Oahu, Kauai, and Hawaii.The goal of the Ocean Count project is to increase public awareness of the sanctuary and current ocean issues, including threats to humpback whales while also promoting responsible viewing of all marine wildlife. The project offers Hawaii residents and visitors an opportunity to monitor humpback whales in their breeding grounds by conducting a yearly shore-based census during the peak season.Continue reading &rarr;
- The Advent of the Modern-Day Shipping Container How the arrival of containers and intermodalism revolutionized the shipping industry. Containers could be efficiently stacked, allowing more and more goods to be transported across the seas. Labor costs were dramatically lowered and, since containers were sealed, theft was reduced. Over time, the marine transportation industry and the size of ships, trucks, trains, docks, and ports increased and expanded to handle the growing use of containers. The impact on global commerce was enormous, leading to a boom in international trade due to lower transportation and handling costs.As container ships continue to grow in size and ports grow more congested by the year, NOAA plays an increasingly critical role in U.S. marine transportation. NOAA services and products improve the efficiency of ports and harbors, promote safety, and help to ensure the protection of coastal marine resources.Continue reading &rarr;
- Common Phrases with a Nautical Origin We like the cut of your jib! Many phrases that we use today originate from maritime culture. You may be taken aback by our top 10 list of nautical phrases.Continue reading &rarr;
- Precision Navigation NOAA's precision navigation project is an effort that brings together private-sector innovation and NOAA data streams to foster safer navigation in our nation's largest and busiest seaports. Precision navigation is about helping mariners make increasingly complex decisions as ever-larger ships make their way through congested U.S. ports while dealing with changing ocean conditions.Continue reading &rarr;
- Celebrate the Valor and Value of Our Nation’s Birds Each year, over 45 million Americans take part in birdwatching, spending approximately $41 billion on related trips and equipment—contributing significantly to local communities and the national economy as a whole.While avian aficionados admire these special creatures year-round, birds are officially celebrated on National Bird Day—an opportunity to recognize the contributions they make to the health of ecosystems, the economy, and human enjoyment and creativity (just think of how many paintings, songs, and poems are inspired by birds!). January 5, 2018, will mark the 16th annual National Bird Day, and while it’s by no means the only opportunity to make friends of the feathered variety, it’s a good excuse to visit one of the country’s 29 National Estuarine Research Reserves, which are havens for birds and the people who love them.Continue reading &rarr;
- Just for Kids: NOAA Resources Explore NOAA activities and resources for children: Don't miss our page of videos, group activities, origami, outdoor and tabletop challenges, and a bunch of other projects that are fun, entertaining, and educational.Continue reading &rarr;
- Two Brothers Shipwreck Added to National Register of Historic Places Two Brothers, a historically-significant whaling ship found in 2008 by maritime heritage archaeologists, is now included in the National Register of Historic Places—the official list of the nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Maritime heritage archaeologists working with NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries located the wreckage in 2008 on a reef within the remote Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. It was the first discovery of a wrecked whaling ship from Nantucket, Mass., the birthplace of America's whaling industry. Two Brothers was captained by George Pollard Jr., whose previous Nantucket whaling vessel, Essex, was rammed and sunk by a whale in the South Pacific, inspiring Herman Melville's famous book, Moby-Dick.Continue reading &rarr;
- Corals Week 2017 Gather around! #CoralsWeek is back! Join us from December 4-8 to celebrate the beauty and importance of coral reefs.Continue reading &rarr;
- High Tide Bulletin: Winter 2017 The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. Our bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides from December 2017 to February 2018.Continue reading &rarr;
- Our Ocean Economy See how the National Ocean Service provides data, tools, and services that support coastal economies and their contribution to the national economy with our new ocean economy portal.Continue &rarr;
- Ping Once, Use Many Times The nautical chart has served as a guide to navigating the seas for the past 400 years. While the function of the nautical chart has not changed over the centuries, 21st-century methods for creating and updating charts have dramatically improved. Added to this, today's hydrographic data collected by modern-day ships is used for many purposes in addition to updating nautical charts.Continue &rarr;
- Meet Hideyo Hattori, NOAA liaison in American Samao As a Site Liaison for NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation and Coastal Zone Managament programs, Hideyo Hattori oversees both programs’ interests in improving coral reef health, protecting coastal communities, and balancing economic development in American Samoa, the only inhabited U.S. Territory south of the equator.   Continue &rarr;
- Oysters and Celery Aren't Only for Holiday Stuffing! Roasted birds on the holiday table are often stuffed with a blend of breadcrumbs, herbs, and spices that includes chopped celery. Many stuffing recipes even call for chopped oysters, a briny bivalve that for centuries has been served raw on the half shell as a token of good luck in the coming year. But did you know that oysters and “celery” (the wild variety, a common seagrass) also serve as vital underwater habitats? As you celebrate the season, consider the diverse roles of oysters and celery (both wild and cultivated). Far more than delectable treats on the holiday menu, they provide protective lairs and nutritious fare for our fragile aquatic communities.Continue &rarr;
- NOAA 2018 Tides Tables Available NOAA 2018 tide tables are now available. NOAA tide tables have been in production for over 150 years and are used by both commercial and recreational mariners for safe navigation. Printed tide tables provide users with tide and tidal current predictions in an easy-to-read format for particular locations. NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services produce these tide tables on an annual basis.Continue &rarr;
- Sandy Five Years Later. What Have We Learned? Five years ago, Post-tropical Cyclone Sandy struck at high tide, driving catastrophic storm surge into coastal New Jersey and New York unlike anything seen before. Thirty-four New Jersey residents lost their lives. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed, causing over $62 billion in damage.Continue &rarr;
- Texas Reserve Staff Keep Rescued Wildlife Out of Harm’s Way After Hurricane Harvey had passed, Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve staff loaded up a pickup truck full of 30 safe-and-sound sea turtles and released them back to where they had come from, rehabilitated and unharmed. The remaining 30 were sent to the Texas Sealife Center in Corpus Christi for further rehabilitation and will be released over time.Continue &rarr;
- NOAA Marks 45th Anniversary of the Coastal Zone Management Act October 27 marks the 45th anniversary of the landmark Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), which waved in a new era by recognizing the importance of safeguarding our nation's coasts, estuaries, and oceans.The Act, passed by Congress on October 27, 1972, is designed to preserve, protect, develop, enhance, and restore the nation's coastal resources. The legislation led to a federal and state partnership program that balances the goals of promoting economic development and protecting the coastal environment.The effort has increased public access to our coasts, protected and restored coastal habitat, and minimized the risk from coastal storms and other natural hazards. The partnership has helped communities manage development, promote healthy economies and people, and reduce polluted runoff.Continue &rarr;
- The Coral Reef Economy New video! Coral reefs are one of Earth’s most productive ecosystems — both in terms of biology and cold, hard cash. Healthy coral reef ecosystems do everything from supporting millions of jobs to protecting lives and valuable coastal infrastructure, like hotels and roads, from storms and waves. In fact, each year coral reefs pump more than $3.4 billion into the U.S. economy And that’s a conservative estimate!Continue &rarr;
- Hurricane Maria Before/After Imagery From September 22-26, the National Geodetic Survey collected damage assessment imagery in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. The aerial imagery was collected in specific areas identified by FEMA and the National Weather Service. You can access all of the images collected online.Continue reading &rarr;
- Hurricane Irma Before/After Imagery From September 11-18, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) collected damage assessment imagery in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. The aerial imagery was collected in specific areas identified by FEMA and the National Weather Service. You can access all of the images collected online.Continue reading &rarr;
- Hurricane Harvey Before/After Imagery From August 27-September 4, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) collected damage assessment imagery in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The aerial imagery was collected in specific areas identified by FEMA and the National Weather Service. You can access all of the images collected online. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Announces $2.2 Million in Marine Debris Grants On Aug. 29, NOAA announced 15 marine debris projects that will support marine debris removal and research received nearly $2.2 million in fiscal year 2017 funding through the NOAA Marine Debris Program. These projects support efforts to address the pervasive global problem of marine debris that can impact wildlife, navigation safety, human health, and the economy.Continue reading &rarr;
- Keeping America's Beachgoers Safe The beach remains one of the most popular summer vacation destinations in the U.S. Both coastal residents and out-of-town tourists partake in the many joys it has to offer. From swimming to surfing to sun bathing and whale watching, the shore provides us with so many unique activities. To help keep the coastal economy thriving, coastal communities safe, and your vacation enjoyable, NOAA provides a variety of services. Here are some of the products and services provided by NOAA's National Ocean Service.Continue reading &rarr;
- Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Since its creation by Congress 25 years ago, NOAA's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary has been vital to the protection of humpback whales, being the only place in the United States where these majestic cetaceans reproduce. Scientists estimate that up to 12,000 whales—more than half of the North Pacific humpback population—return to Hawaiian waters from November through May to breed, calve, and nurse their young. No one knows exactly how long humpback whales have been mating and reproducing in the islands' warm, shallow waters, but narrative reports from whalers document seeing them as early as the 1840s.Continue reading &rarr;
- Nine Dangers at the Beach Going to the beach? Plan your summer visit with these safety tips in mind.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOS Career Profiles: Meet Erica Seiden Meet Erica Seiden, Program Manager, Ecosystems Program and National Estuarine Research Reserves, Office for Coastal ManagementContinue reading &rarr;
- Top 10 Images: 2017 Pacific Coral Reef Survey Researchers recently completed an 88-day expedition aboard the NOAA Ship Hi'ialakai to survey two remote regions in the Pacific. First, they traveled to the islands of Jarvis, Howland, Baker and Wake, all part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. Then they traversed to the Mariana Archipelago, working their way up the island chain from the populated islands in the south to remote locations in the north. What did researchers see during their 2017 journey through the Pacific? View our top 10 list of amazing images collected during this 88-day mission.Continue reading &rarr;
- North Carolina Sentinel Site Cooperative The coast of North Carolina encompasses 325 miles of sweeping beaches, barrier islands, two national seashores, a National Estuarine Research Reserve, a National Marine Sanctuary, two shipping ports, and U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. It is full of extensive marshes, vast stretches of seagrass, and sheltered harbors that support a high concentration of fishing, recreation, and tourism. The region is also renowned for a wealth of academic and scientific institutions, research laboratories, and state and federal coastal management and fisheries agencies.NOAA's North Carolina Sentinel Site Cooperative (the Cooperative) promotes a network of partners among the scientific and academic communities, resource managers, and nongovernmental organizations. Its active research and monitoring programs play a key role in understanding the coastal environment, including sea level rise, marsh ecosystems, and living shorelines.Continue reading &rarr;
- Celebrate the Ocean in June We're celebrating World Ocean Day during the month of June by highlighting a select few of our 300 facts about our ocean and coasts. You can follow along on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Look for #30daysofocean.Continue reading &rarr;
- High Tide Bulletin: Summer 2017 When you may experience higher than normal tides from June through August 2017.Continue reading &rarr;
- An Inch of Water. What's it Worth? Our nation’s ports are the lifelines of our economy. In 2016, foreign trades through U.S. ports were valued at $1.5 trillion—$475 billion exports and $1.0 trillion imports were moved by vessels. When goods travel through ports, it means they are traveling via ship.NOS is in the business of making sure that mariners—and the goods they are transporting—make it to their destinations safely and quickly. Just as airplane pilots need to know current weather and ground conditions, ship captains need to know exactly what's going on in the water and in the air. NOS monitoring systems supply mariners with the real-time data they need, providing information such as water levels, wind and current speeds and directions, and water temperature. But what does this have to do with that inch of water?Continue reading &rarr;
- Understanding Sea Level Rise in the Nation's Largest Estuary Chesapeake Bay Sentinel Site Cooperative researchers are working towards a better understanding of how the nation's largest estuary is changing over time due to rising sea levels. Scientists are collecting data with tide stations and other tools at sentinel sites around the Bay. Through intensive studies and long-term observations at these stations, Cooperative partners are helping to create a clearer picture of sea level and ecological changes in this region to better inform coastal decision-makers about the health of the Bay now and into the future.Continue reading &rarr;
- New Report on U.S. Ocean and Great Lakes Economy Shows Growth The nation's oceans and Great Lakes continue to fuel economic growth across the U.S. The latest economic figures available are from 2014 and show inflation-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) from the ocean economy (businesses dependent on these natural resources) grew 15.6 percent from the pre-recession levels of 2007, outpacing the U.S. economy as a whole, which grew at 5.8 percent.Continue reading &rarr;
- Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Longterm Effects on Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles A recent Endangered Species Research special issue summarizes some of the devastating longterm effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on protected marine mammals and sea turtles. The issue compiles 20 scientific studies authored by NOAA scientists and partners covering more than five years' worth of data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The research indicates that populations of several marine mammal and sea turtle species will take decades to rebound. Significant habitat restoration in the region will also be needed.NOAA scientists used a variety of cutting-edge research methods in these studies and many others as part of a Natural Resource Damage Assessment. This is the legal process where we investigate the type of injuries caused by the oil spill, quantify how many animals were harmed, develop a restoration plan to compensate for the natural resource injuries, and hold responsible parties liable to pay for the restoration.  Continue reading &rarr;
- The Rebirth of a Healthy Eelgrass Meadow An effort to restore eelgrass beds along Virginia's eastern shore began with people painstakingly planting 200 acres of eelgrass seeds by hand. Today, these eelgrass meadows have grown to 6,195 acres — providing a home for an estimated 240,000 bay scallops. Continue reading &rarr;
- Sea Urchins Help Combat Invasive Algae on Corals Tiny sea urchins are helping to combat invasive algae in Kaneohe Bay—part of a restoration plan from the settlement of the 2005 grounding of the ship M/V Cape Flattery on the coral reefs south of Oahu. The grounding, and response efforts to free the ship, injured 19.5 acres of coral. Despite the injuries, the reef began recovering on its own. Rather than mess with that natural recovery, NOAA Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Hawaii's Division of Aquacitec Resources focused on restoring coral reefs in Kaneohe Bay.Continue reading &rarr;
- Meet Christine Gallagher from NOAA's National Geodetic Survey Meet Christine Gallagher, acting chief of National Geodetic Survey's Communications and Outreach Branch. Christine helps ensure that the National Geodetic Survey's science, products, and services reach end-users. She enjoys solving problems, whether it involves learning how to take advantage of a new digital communication tool or communicating a complicated scientific issue. She says the hardest part of her job is conveying the value of things that people cannot physically see but are important to their daily lives, like geodetic datums.Continue reading &rarr;
- High Tide Bulletin: Spring 2017 (March - May) The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth.There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. This bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between March and May 2017.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Releases 2017 Hydrographic Survey Season Plans Coast Survey maintains over a thousand charts and publications covering 95,000 miles of shoreline and 3.4 million square nautical miles of water. Measuring depths and determining new dangers to navigation along U.S. coasts and the Great Lakes is a monumental job because the seafloor is constantly changing due to factors such as storms, erosion, and development. One of Coast Survey's biggest tasks during the winter months is to plan hydrographic survey projects for the coming field season. View 2017 planned survey projects.Continue reading &rarr;
- From Ridge to Reef: Habitat Conservation in Puerto Rico The picturesque hillsides and vibrant blue waters of northeast Puerto Rico and nearby Culebra Island are home to marine and terrestrial ecosystems that make it a truly special place. This corner of Puerto Rico is NOAA's only Habitat Blueprint Focus Area in the Caribbean. NOAA's Habitat Blueprint is a national framework to improve habitat for fisheries, marine life, and coastal communities. Among the most pressing environmental issues here are the impacts from soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution on the coral reefs and other marine habitats that lie just offshore from the rugged hillsides.Continue reading &rarr;
- The Advent of the Modern-Day Shipping Container How the arrival of containers and intermodalism revolutionized the shipping industry. As container ships continue to grow in size and ports grow more congested by the year, NOAA plays an increasingly critical role in U.S. marine transportation. NOAA services and products improve the efficiency of ports and harbors, promote safety, and help to ensure the protection of coastal marine resources.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA designates 29th National Estuarine Research Reserve On Jan. 19 , NOAA announced the establishment of the He'eia National Estuarine Research Reserve. Estuarine reserves protect a section of an estuary and provide a living laboratory to explore and understand the important areas where rivers meet the sea. The 1,385-acre He'eia National Estuarine Research Reserve encompasses upland forests and grasslands, wetlands, reefs and seagrass beds, as well as the largest sheltered body of water in the Hawaiian Island chain. It is located within the Kaneohe Bay estuary on the windward side of Oahu and includes significant historic and cultural resources.Continue reading &rarr;
- U.S. Marine Biodiversity Observing Network: Building Global Connections Marine biodiversity—the variety and variability of life in the ocean—can be an early indicator of change, provided it's noticed. The U.S. Marine Biodiversity Network (MBON) aims to ensure that scientists not only notice changes in biodiversity at locations around the nation, but also have the tools in place to better understand what these changes tell us about ocean health over time. But marine life doesn't know borders. That's why the U.S. network is also expanding international cooperation with other marine biodiversity networks around the world.Continue reading &rarr;
- Microplastics Reddit "Ask Us Anything" The majority of marine debris found around the world is made of plastic and can range from microbeads smaller than a sesame seed up to an 11-ton mass of abandoned fishing nets. Over time these plastics break down into what is called microplastics (smaller than five millimeters in size). There are lots of concerns about the impacts of microplastics such as how do they interact chemically with the marine environment? Are marine species ingesting them? And are chemicals from the plastics moving up the food chain? This is your chance to chat with two NOAA Marine Debris Program scientists on microplastics and what we can, and are, doing to help during the January 12, 2017 Reddit 'Ask Us Anything'. When: 12 January, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. EDTContinue reading &rarr;
- Are we cleared to land? How the Wright Brothers influenced NOAA's mission. In a span of 12 seconds on December 17, 1903, two men near the town of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, changed the course of history. This photograph shows the first powered, controlled, sustained flight. Orville Wright at the controls of the machine, lying prone on the lower wing with hips in the cradle which operated the wing-warping mechanism. Wilbur Wright running alongside to balance the machine, has just released his hold on the forward upright of the right wing. Today, we fly using technological advances that the Wright Brothers only could have imagined. Millions of people board airplanes, confident that pilots will guide them safely to their destinations. But safe navigation begins well before the pilot even touches the plane's controls; it begins with the runway. That's where NOAA comes in.Continue reading &rarr;
- High Tide Bulletin: Winter 2016 The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth.There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. This bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between December 2016 and February 2017. Note: Depending on non-tidal conditions (wind, storms) regions may experience impacts before or after the dates mentioned here.Continue reading &rarr;
- Corals Week 2016 Celebrate the beauty and importance of coral reef ecosystems!Continue reading &rarr;
- San Francisco Bay Region: Working Together to Build Resilience San Francisco, the Bay area, and its Outer Coast comprise the largest estuarine area on the west coast of the United States. It’s been said that this region is not gauged by its length and width, but by the broadness of its vision and the height of its dreams. The region is a major urban and economic center and a unique ecological treasure. It is home to over seven million people, and retains some of the largest and most important natural areas along the west coast, including three National Marine Sanctuaries (Greater Farallones, Cordell Bank, and Monterey Bay), the Point Reyes National Seashore, the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The estuary serves as a major hub of commerce and supports the most intact Mediterranean-climate wetlands in North America. Continue reading &rarr;
- The Importance of the Ocean to U.S. Island Territories A new report allows readers to better understand the importance of the ocean to the economies of two U.S. territories in the Caribbean. For people who manage, protect, and make use of the resources in these special places, more accurate economic data about ocean use are key to good decision making. And good decisions will help keep our ocean healthy and resilient—supporting livelihoods for future generations. Shown here: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Continue reading &rarr;
- Exploring Tidal Marsh Resilience to Sea Level Rise The NOAA-sponsored National Estuarine Research Reserve System released a national assessment of tidal marsh resilience in the face of rising sea levels. This assessment establishes a national monitoring baseline for estuarine climate change impacts. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA 2017 Tide Tables are Available NOAA 2017 tide tables are now available. NOAA tide tables have been in production for 150 years and are used by both commercial and recreational mariners for safe navigation. Printed tide tables provide users with tide and tidal current predictions in an easy-to-read format for particular locations. NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services produce these tide tables on an annual basis. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Collects Aerial North Carolina Imagery in Aftermath of Hurricane Matthew From October 11-16, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) collected imagery of areas in North Carolina to help assess damage caused by river flooding due to heavy rains from the now-dissipated Matthew. The aerial imagery was collected in specific areas identified by FEMA and the National Weather Service.  Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Collects East Coast Aerial Imagery in Aftermath of Hurricane Matthew From October 7-10, 2016, the National Geodetic Survey collected damage assessment imagery for more than 1,200 square miles in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. The aerial imagery was collected in specific areas identified by FEMA and the National Weather Service.  Continue reading &rarr;
- Hawaiian Deep Coral Reefs Reveal Unique Species NOAA-supported scientists working in the Hawaiian Archipelago have characterized the most extensive deep coral reefs on record. They found several large areas with 100 percent coral cover and concluded that deep coral reefs have twice as many species that are unique to Hawaii than their shallow-water counterparts. Continue reading &rarr;
- High Tide Bulletin: Fall 2016 The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors we can predict that cause the tides to be higher or lower than what is "normally" seen from day to day. This bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides for September, October and November 2016. Continue reading &rarr;
- Highest Water Levels During Hurricane Hermine NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services maintains a permanent observing system that includes 210 continuously operating water level stations throughout the U.S. and its territories. These water level stations provide real-time oceanographic and meteorological observations, which are critical data for communities, particularly during storms impacting the coast.This graphic depicts highest water levels along the coast throughout the duration of this storm. Highest water levels are measured in feet above Mean Higher High Water (MHHW). MHHW is defined as the average daily highest tide. Inundation typically begins when water levels exceed MHHW.The values depicted on this graphic are based on preliminary observed water levels from NOAA and partner tide stations.Continue reading &rarr;
- Hawaiian Islands Sentinel Site Cooperative: where high tech and tradition mesh Hawaii stands alone in more ways than one. It is the only U.S. state comprised entirely of islands. There are eight major islands, but the Hawaiian Island Chain consists of more than 80 volcanoes and 132 islands, reefs, and shoals that extend across the Pacific for 1,500 miles (that's the approximate distance from Houston to San Francisco). Located about 2,400 miles from California, the islands are, in fact, the most isolated inhabited pieces of land in the world.One would expect, then, that protecting Hawaii's natural and cultural resources poses a unique set of challenges. NOAA is working to address these challenges by considering how human activities on land are impacting near-shore systems through the lens of sea level rise and climate change, and fostering practical solutions through its Hawaiian Islands (HI) Sentinel Site Cooperative.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Names Shepard Smith as Director of Coast Survey Following his selection by the Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and approval by President Barack Obama, Shepard Smith was promoted from captain to rear admiral (lower half) and named director of the NOAA Office of Coast Survey during a change of command ceremony on August 26. As the nation's chief hydrographer, Smith will oversee NOAA's charts and hydrographic surveys, ushering in the next generation of navigational products and services for mariners who need integrated delivery of coastal intelligence data. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Engineers a More Reliable, Cost Efficient Current Sensor for Mariners Navigating into seaports is now safer and more efficient for mariners thanks to improved NOAA technology that ships rely on to give them information about currents. The Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) developed a more reliable, cost-saving version of a current sensor system that can now be placed at more remote locations along navigation channels.  Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Collects Aerial Imagery in Aftermath of Severe Storms and Flooding in Louisiana On August 14, NOS's National Geodetic Survey (NGS) began collecting damage assessment imagery in the aftermath of the Aug. 2016 severe storms that caused significant flooding in Louisiana. Aerial imagery is being collected in specific areas identified by FEMA and the National Weather Service. View before and after images of affected areas. Continue reading &rarr;
- Filleting the Lion The lionfish, a native of the Western Pacific Ocean, is a venomous, voracious predator that’s flourishing in coastal waters of the U.S. Southeast and the Caribbean. This invasive species has the potential to harm reef ecosystems because it is a top predator that competes for food and space with overfished native stocks such as snapper and grouper. Scientists fear that lionfish will also kill off helpful species such as algae-eating parrotfish, allowing seaweed to overtake the reefs.Fortunately for our coral reefs, the flashy lionfish has caught the attention of the hungriest predators of all: people! Once stripped of its venomous spines, cleaned, and filleted like any other fish, the lionfish becomes delectable seafood fare. NOAA scientists researching the lionfish’s spread and impact are now encouraging a seafood market as one way to mitigate the species’ impacts on reef communities.Continue reading &rarr;
- Least Terns Find a New Home Volunteers from NOAA, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Audubon, and others transformed part of an old Navy dock into an unlikely nesting hotspot for the least tern. As of August 7, 2016, least terns have created seven nests (and hatched eleven chicks!) on the pier behind NOAA's Office for Coastal Management. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA helps save nearly 100 wetland acres for Michigan restoration The Great Lakes hold 20 percent of the world's fresh surface water, making habitat restoration critically important for severely degraded industrial areas near their shores. In Michigan, NOAA has moved that goal forward by supporting the recent purchase of 98.8 wetland acres near Muskegon Lake, which feeds directly into Lake Michigan. Continue reading &rarr;
- Get to Know Your National Marine Sanctuaries National marine sanctuaries are special areas that protect important marine ecosystems around the nation. Some sanctuaries are breeding and feeding grounds for endangered whales, others contain thriving coral reefs or kelp forests, and many are home to historic shipwrecks and other archaeological treasures. NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries manages a national network of such places, encompassing more than 170,000 square miles of U.S. ocean and Great Lakes waters. The goal of the sanctuary system is to protect important natural and cultural places, while still allowing people to enjoy and use the ocean. In total, NOAA manages thirteen national marine sanctuaries and co-manages two marine national monuments. Continue reading &rarr;
- Meet Vernon Smith, national media coordinator for NOAA's national marine sanctuaries. As the national media coordinator for NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, my job is to increase visibility, public awareness, and support for national marine sanctuaries through outreach to print, broadcast, social media, and special events. I work with our leadership team, along with our headquarters and field site staffs, to develop and implement strategies and materials to engage our partners, stakeholders, and the public. Continue reading &rarr;
- How the Great Lakes Observing System Supports Regional Health, Safety, Economy The Great Lakes are a vital shipping channel for the U.S., annually carrying billions of dollars of cargo to and from the Atlantic. They also contain 20 percent of the world's freshwater, have 10,000 miles of coast, and—much like the ocean—the waters of the Great Lakes heavily influence the climate in the region.  Knowing what's happening and forecasting what's to come in Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario keep us safer, healthier, and economically sound.In June 2016, NOAA certified the Great Lakes Observing System as a Regional Information Coordinating Entity—only the second organization to achieve this. The certification signifies a high quality of observing data and operational practices. In simple terms, it means that NOAA and IOOS stand behind GLOS's observing data, and that all users can rely on GLOS for data that meet the reliable, compatible standards being implemented across the IOOS network.Continue reading &rarr;
- Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument: Celebrating 10 Years of Ocean Conservation Ten years ago, President George W. Bush created what was at the time the largest marine protected area in the world. Today, we're looking back at 10 years of conservation of one of the most remote groups of islands and atolls—Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Don't miss our "Top 10" countdown. Continue reading &rarr;
- El Niño Made a Nuisance of Itself in 2015—Caused Tidal Flooding in Many U.S. Cities A new report, 2015 State of U.S. Nuisance Tidal Flooding, highlights nuisance flooding during the 2015 meteorological year and compares it to the outlook at 28 NOAA tide stations around the United States, which have collected data for more than 50 years. It also provides a new outlook for the 2016 meteorological year, taking into account the La Niña conditions anticipated to develop in the coming months. La Niña typically has less effect on tidal flood frequencies compared to El Niño, however the nuisance flooding trend is still increasing.  Continue reading &rarr;
- Celebrate our ocean! Join us as we celebrate and learn about our world ocean during National Ocean Month. Continue reading &rarr;
- High Tide Bulletin: June Outlook The rising and falling of the sea are a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun, tides are very long-period waves that move through the ocean and progress toward the coastlines where they appear as the regular rise and fall of the sea surface. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. This bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides. NOAA is the nation's official source for tidal information. Continue reading &rarr;
- Coastal Management Fellowship: landmark NOAA training program marks 20 year milestone In 1996, the people at NOAA had a bright idea—to seek out gifted postgraduates and match them up with coastal zone management programs for two years of on-the-job training in management and policy careers. Twenty years later, that bright idea casts an impressive light—106 coastal management fellows from 42 universities have boosted the reach and effectiveness of coastal stewardship in 26 states and territories."The fellowship is a great deal for fellows, coastal programs, and taxpayers," says Jeffrey L. Payne, acting director of the NOAA Office for Coastal Management, which administers the program. "Fellows get first-rate training and networking opportunities. Programs get the best and brightest for critical projects. And when graduating fellows decide to stay in the field—and many do—the taxpayer gets seasoned public servants who can hit the ground running."The influence of the fellowship doesn't end when the stint ends, say several former fellows, who describe in this feature what was special about their time in the program and how it marked the course of their careers.Continue reading &rarr;
- High Tech Tool to Aid in Pacific Northwest Toxin Detection NOAA and partners are expanding the use of an underwater robot using a NOAA-developed sensor that enables remote, automated measurements of toxins produced by harmful algal blooms (HABs), known to contaminate shellfish and poison humans that consume them. Already used in monitoring the dinoflagellate Alexandrium, the algae that causes toxic red tides in the Gulf of Maine, the robot will now be deployed in the Pacific Northwest to detect and identify the HAB species Pseudo-nitzschia australis.The robot, called the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP), was deployed by the University of Washington on May 23, and will provide data on both Pseudo-nitzschia cell and toxin concentrations off the coast of Washington.  By including the sensor on the robot during deployment, scientists are better able to assess the toxicity level of a given algal bloom.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Historical Hurricane Tracks NOAA's Historical Hurricane Tracks is a free online tool that allows users to track historic hurricane tracks. The site, developed by the NOAA Office for Coastal Management in partnership with NOAA's National Hurricane Center and National Centers for Environmental Information, offers data and information on coastal county hurricane strikes through 2012. It also provides links to detailed reports on the life histories and effects of U.S. tropical cyclones since 1958, with additional U.S. storm paths traced as far back as 1851. The site contains global hurricane data from as far back as 1842. Continue reading &rarr;
- Fostering Oyster Management for the Gulf's Greater Good When more than 90 federal, state, and local governments, universities, nonprofits, and private companies are working on a challenge like finding suitable habitat for oysters in a region as vast and as varied as the Northern Gulf of Mexico, how can they find the specific scientific data they need to make sound management decisions? And is it possible to get them working together to meet their common goals? Continue reading &rarr;
- Harmful Algal Bloom Reddit "Ask Us Anything" On May 5, NOAA talks harmful algal blooms and forecasting on Reddit. Two NOAA experts are ready to answer your questions about harmful algal blooms and how we forecast blooms. Get your questions ready about HAB science, impacts, how we forecast a bloom, and even what it's like to work at NOAA. Ask them anything! Head to the Reddit Science channel at 1 p.m. on May 5. Continue reading &rarr;
- Using Robots to Map Shallow Water on Nautical Charts Boaters rely on NOAA’s nautical charts for depth measurements so they don’t accidently ground on sandbars or other underwater obstructions. NOAA gets these measurements by using hydrographic survey technology from onboard ships and smaller boats. Sometimes, though, the water may be too shallow for safe operation of the survey vessels. Lidar systems systems can be used in some cases, but that technology doesn’t work well in murky water. Continue reading &rarr;
- New Website Explores National Effort to Better Understand Marine Life, Ecosystem Change The U.S. Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (U.S. MBON), an effort to improve our understanding of changes and connections between marine biodiversity and ecosystems, recently launched a new website. In addition to exploring the vision and themes of the network's demonstration projects, the site offers profiles of projects in progress and outlines future goals for data integration, animated seascape mapping, and technology applications such as new methods for genomic sampling and analysis. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Begins 2016 Hydrographic Survey Season U.S. waters cover 3.4 million square nautical miles, including a sea floor that is constantly changing due to storms, erosion, and development. To keep the nation's suite of over a thousand nautical charts up to date, the Office of Coast Survey annually plans hydrographic survey projects to measure water depths and identify new navigational hazards. Survey planners consider requests by marine pilots, port authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard, the boating community, and others when setting the year's schedule. This article presents planned 2016 survey projects. Continue reading &rarr;
- Online Tool Serves Up Ocean Science Studies Updates to BOEM's Environmental Studies Program Information System (ESPIS) tool, hosted by NOAA Digital Coast, now enable users to search, filter, map, discover, and download more than 40 years of studies and related data that can provide critical information for ocean plans and decisions.This interactive tool was devised by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and NOAA to provide faster data searches and more offerings than were possible with previous ESPIS versions.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Forecast for Red Tide in Florida NOAA and agency partners continue to monitor a bloom of Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism that has been persisting in some coastal areas in Southwest Florida. Blooms are patchy in nature and the impacts vary by location and throughout the day depending on nearby bloom concentrations, ocean currents, surf conditions, and wind speed and direction. NOAA issues Red Tide forecasts for Florida to help local residents and visitors continue to enjoy activities in areas that are temporarily affected by a bloom by making informed decisions about their recreational choices. The forecasts also aid public health managers who coordinate response efforts and mitigate the effects of red tide.Continue reading &rarr;
- NOS Career Profiles: Meet Derrick and Jessica Snowden Meet Derrick and Jessica Snowden, a married couple who work at NOAA's U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (U.S. IOOS®). Derrick is chief of the U.S. IOOS Operations Division, Jessica is a physical scientist in the IOOS Regions, Budget, and Policy Division.Continue reading &rarr;
- New U.S. IOOS Ocean Enterprise Industry Study A new study shows that the ocean enterprise, the for-profit and not-for-profit firms that support ocean measurement, observation, and forecasting, accounts for billions of dollars of the U.S. economy annually and provides up to 30,000 jobs. Hurricane buoys, shown here, are just one of the many tools used to collect ocean observation data. Continue reading &rarr;
- Satellites and Tide Stations, Working Together See how real-time tide station readings validate sea surface height measurements made from space. Continue reading &rarr;
- Sanctuary Ocean Count Every year in January, February, and March, volunteers count whales from the shores of O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, and the Big Island for the annual Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count. The Sanctuary Ocean Count, launched in 1996 when 150 volunteers took to the shorelines of Oahu to count Hawaii’s endangered whale population and document the animals’ surface behavior, now draws more than 2,000 volunteers across Oahu, Kauai, and Hawaii. Continue reading &rarr;
- VIDEO: How Scientists Find the Best Places to Put Future Wind Energy Sites in the Ocean The outer continental shelf of North Carolina supports some of the best conditions for potential offshore wind energy in the southeast United States. However, there are potential impacts to sensitive marine ecosystems from construction of offshore energy facilities. NOAA and partners are studying the hardbottom rocky reefs that serve as essential habitats for valuable fish species to better understand these unique offshore ecosystems. Continue reading &rarr;
- 2016 Coast Survey Navigation Response Team Schedule Coast Survey's navigation response teams (NRTs) play a key role in the nation's maritime emergency readiness, scanning the seafloor with sonar systems to locate underwater hazards to navigation. In between deployments for maritime emergencies, NRTs collect hydrographic data for updating nautical charts. This article lists projects slated for 2016 in response to requests from mariners around the country. Continue reading &rarr;
- From Reef to Ridge A reef-to-ridge watershed management plan on Culebra Island emphasizes tackling coastal issues (such as erosion from powerful downpours) to improve marine ecosystems. Continue reading &rarr;
- Midwest Flooding Damage Assessment Imagery NOS's National Geodetic Survey (NGS) continues to collect damage assessment imagery of flooding along the Mississippi and Arkansas River. This aerial imagery is used to support safe navigation and capture damage to areas caused by storms or flooding. Priorities are centered on major ports and waterways supporting the Marine Transportation System; known or projected severe impacts to coastlines and critical infrastructure; and areas of severe flooding. Imagery is available online to view and download. Continue reading &rarr;
- California Coastal Flooding Californians living on the coast may be used to seeing so-called “King Tides,” a regular phenomenon where high tides are higher than normal on certain days of the year. This winter, King Tides — known to scientists as perigean spring tides — are even higher due to El Niño, causing flooding in low-lying areas of California’s coast. Continue reading &rarr;
- Corals Week 2015 Holiday lights make us think of coral reefs. That's why we celebrate the beauty and importance of coral reef ecosystems each year during the first week of December. Join us! Continue reading &rarr;
- GIS: the Digital Link Between Maps and Information You may be surprised to learn how much geography matters in our everyday lives. The ability to link maps digitally to information enables us to visualize and understand patterns and relationships around us. Geographic information systems, or GIS, provides this link.GIS describes a wide variety of computer-aided tools and services that capture, store, check, and display information related to positions on Earth’s surface. You probably use GIS every day without realizing it. When you use a smartphone to get directions or to find the closest restaurant to your location, you're tapping into the power of GIS. Here at NOAA, GIS is used to map oil spill trajectories, plot the paths of historic hurricanes, view and analyze nautical charts, and understand trends in areas such as sea level change and coastal socioeconomics. Analysts and scientists also use GIS for land use planning, business applications, scientific research, and even as a tool to aid in our nation’s defense.Continue reading &rarr;
- 150 Years of NOAA Tide Tables Tide predictions are a major part of life for coastal communities in the U.S. Explore how NOAA tide tables have evolved over the last 150 years. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA 2016 Tide Tables are Available NOAA 2016 tide tables are now available. Printed tide tables provide the user with tide and tidal current predictions in an easy-to-read format for a particular location. NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services and predecessor agencies produce these tide tables on an annual basis. Continue reading &rarr;
- Scientists Prepare for Annual Mission to Sample Harmful Algal Bloom Cysts in the Gulf of Maine In November 2015, scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution embark on a ten-day sediment sampling mission in the Gulf of Maine. By examining sediment cores for the presence of seed-like cysts released by the harmful alga Alexandrium fundyense, researchers hope to improve forecasting of harmful algal bloom (HAB) events along the New England coast. Continue reading &rarr;
- Skincare Chemical Threatens Coral Reefs A new study from a team of international scientists finds that a common chemical in many sunscreen lotions and cosmetics is highly toxic to juvenile corals and other marine life. Oxybenzone, or BP-3, is found in more than 3,500 skin care products worldwide for protection against the sun's harmful effects. The compound has been found entering the environment both through wastewater effluent and directly from swimmers wearing sunscreens. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Webmap Provides Ocean Observations and Coastal and Marine Weather On October 7, 2015, NOAA released an upgraded version of nowCOAST, a GIS-based webmap service providing more frequently updated ocean observations along with coastal and marine weather forecasts now available 24 hours a day. The new version now offers a visual point-and-click access to 60 NOAA data products and services. The public can now get a one-stop-shop look at coastal conditions—real-time and forecast—before they do or plan anything on the water. Continue reading &rarr;
- A Secret Coral 'Garden' in the Gulf of Mexico This marine sanctuary isn't easy to get to, but it's worth the trip. Located 70 to 115 miles off the coast of Texas and Louisiana, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is one of 14 marine protected areas managed by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Continue reading &rarr;
- Reddit Science 'Ask Me Anything' Explore the science behind perigean spring tides with NOAA Oceanographer Stephen Gill on September 28, 2015. Continue reading &rarr;
- 2015 International Coastal Cleanup For the past three decades, the International Coastal Cleanup has been turning the tide on trash. Join the NOAA Marine Debris Program and Ocean Conservancy for the largest global volunteer effort to cleanup our local shoreline, coast, park, or neighborhood on Saturday, September 19, 2015. Continue reading &rarr;
- West Coast Harmful Algal Bloom Over the past few months, a massive toxic bloom of the marine diatom Pseudo-nitzschia, stretching from central California to the Alaska Peninsula, has resulted in significant impacts to coastal resources and marine life. NOAA has been working closely with federal, state, tribal, academic, and other partners to respond to this unprecedented harmful algal bloom (HAB). Continue reading &rarr;
- Green Infrastructure Tools Green infrastructure—natural and nature-based engineered systems that mimic natural processes—can be used to make communities better prepared and more resilient to extreme weather and coastal hazards that are becoming more frequent with climate change. Continue reading &rarr;
- Hurricane Katrina: 10 Years Later The most infamous storm in U.S. history, Hurricane Katrina carved a path of destruction from Miami to New Orleans, and up the Eastern United States. The storm reached a maximum intensity of Category 5 status, with 175 mph sustained winds. Hurricane Katrina made landfall in the morning of August 29, 2005. Continue reading &rarr;
- Improved NOAA Forecast for Red Tide in Florida Red tide forecasts for Florida will now be even more accurate thanks to an improved method of forecasting that will allow NOAA scientists to see more clearly where the harmful algal blooms (HABs) that cause this phenomenon are located. This will help local residents and visitors make better decisions about their recreational choices during a HAB event and aid public health managers who coordinate response efforts and mitigate the effects of red tide. Continue reading &rarr;
- Five Sea Creatures to Avoid at the Shore Visiting the beach is a fun and safe way to enjoy a summer’s day. Nevertheless, a few coastal "residents" are capable of turning your lazy day at the shore into an anxious wait at the local clinic. Take care to avoid these sea creatures, which sometimes show up on or near the shore. Continue reading &rarr;
- Wrap-up of 2015 Ecological Forecasts Each year, NOAA releases many forecasts for the nation, including regionial cover harmful algal bloom, dead zone, and coral bleaching outlooks. The article is a handy reference that highlights key 2015 forecasts. Continue reading &rarr;
- Meet NOAA Corps Lieutenant Commander Nicole Cabana Meet NOAA Corps Lieutenant Commander Nicole Cabana, King Air pilot and manager of the National Geodetic Survey Aeronautical Survey Program. Continue reading &rarr;
- Stellwagen Bank: where whales and other wonders awe one and all Stellwagen Bank — an underwater plateau located at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay about 25 miles from Boston — has been known for centuries as a rich and productive ecosystem, where fishermen venture in search of cod, haddock, flounder, tuna, and herring. If Boston, Salem, or Cape Cod and the Islands are on your summer itinerary, consider a visit to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Continue reading &rarr;
- California's Cordell Bank, Farallones Sanctuaries More Than Double in Size On June 9, 2015, the size of California's Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallones national marine sanctuaries more than doubled. The expansion will help protect the region’s marine and coastal habitats, biological resources, and special ecological features. Continue reading &rarr;
- What do you know about the sea turtle? We've compiled a list of fascinating facts to test your sea turtle knowledge. Shown here: loggerhead turtle hatchlings make their way to the sea in Juno Beach, Florida. Image courtesy of Veronica Runge. Continue reading &rarr;
- Ocean Sampling Day June 21, 2015, is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. It's also the day that thousands of scientists and volunteers across the globe will participate in Ocean Sampling Day, an international collaboration to collect water samples from the earth's oceans and rivers. Continue reading &rarr;
- Celebrate the Ocean During the month of June, join us as we share videos, images, and ocean facts to celebrate the beauty and importance of our ocean and coasts.  Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Dives into Puget Sound with Current Survey Beginning May 28, 2015, NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) will be performing a current survey throughout Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca over the next three years. The observations collected during this survey will enable NOAA to provide tidal current predictions to commercial and recreational mariners that depend on this information for safe navigation.  Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Helps American Samoa Tackle a Thorny Issue American Samoa is tackling a thorny issue on its nearshore coral reefs. The issue takes the form of crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS), prickly critters, known locally as alamea, that voraciously consume the live stony corals that form the reefs’ limestone foundation. Continue reading &rarr;
- World Ocean Day Photo Contest 2015 In celebration of World Ocean Day on June 8, NOAA's National Ocean Service is hosting a photo contest. From May 8-22, send us your best ocean and coastal images as we look to celebrate the beauty, mystery, and importance of the ocean. Sunsets over the water, colorful and bountiful marine life, ships delivering goods, images of underwater discovery and adventure...we want it all! Continue reading &rarr;
- The life and legacy of an ocean pioneer Dr. Eugenie Clark was a scientific pioneer who greatly contributed to people's knowledge of sharks and other fish, and who worked tirelessly to improve sharks' reputation in the public eye. Image courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. Continue reading &rarr;
- Come visit us! Conserving coastal places provides economic benefits to local communities. For example, across all national marine sanctuaries, about $4 billion annually is generated in local coastal and ocean-dependent economies from diverse activities like commercial fishing, research, and recreation-tourist activities. The National Ocean Service works to conserve marine areas—and preserve the economic benefits of these special places to local communities—through coastal management and place-based conservation programs such as the National Estuarine Research Reserve System and National Marine Sanctuaries. Continue reading &rarr;
- From Texas to Maine, NOAA's Flood Information Tool Promotes Resilience NOAA's Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper is a free online tool that provides maps, data, and information to assess risks and vulnerabilities related to coastal flooding and hazards. The tool is available for the entire U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. Continue reading &rarr;
- Citizen Science at NOAA (story and video) How "crowdsourcing" contributes to research and outreach. Continue reading &rarr;
- Visit Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries In March 2015, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries announced that Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS) on the central California coast would double to more than twice their original size.   Continue reading &rarr;
- Now Online: High Frequency Radar Data Enhances Navigation for New York Harbor Thanks to high frequency radar, near real-time surface current observations and tidal current predictions are now available online for New York Harbor.   Continue reading &rarr;
- Get to Know Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Did you know that NOAA manages a National Marine Sanctuary in the Great Lakes region? The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is headquartered in Alpena, Michigan, on the shores of Lake Huron. Continue reading &rarr;
- Meet Russ Green, Deputy Superintendent and Research Coordinator Meet Russ Green, deputy superintendent and research coordinator at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (NMS) in Alpena, Michigan. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Study Uses Latest Tech to Compute Updated Washington Monument Height Using new international measurement standards and technology not available in the past, NOAA's National Geodetic Survey has calculated the official architectural height of the Washington Monument to be 554 feet 7 11/32 inches—a highly precise measurement that makes it eligible for inclusion in official registers of the world's tallest structures. NOAA's NGS provides the framework for all positioning activities in the nation. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Study: Oysters, Mussels Have Low Levels of Disease and Parasites NOAA's first long-term report of the national distribution of parasites and disease in mussels and oysters, using data gathered between 1995 and 2009, provides a new data set for coastal resource management and shows the occurrence and severity of disease and parasite infections to be generally low nationwide during that time. Continue reading &rarr;
- Want a 'Selfie' of Your County? Explore NOAA’s Coastal County Snapshots Have you ever wondered what your coastal county looks like in terms of jobs, flood risk, wetland resources, and other economic and environmental factors? Then check out Coastal County Snapshots, an online resource from NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management (OCM). Continue reading &rarr;
- January 2015 Noreaster From Jan. 28-29, NOS's National Geodetic Survey (NGS) collected damage assessment imagery in the aftermath of the Jan. 2015 Nor'easter that blanketed the region in snow and caused significant storm surge along the New England coast. NGS imagery covered coastal portions of New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts. Continue reading &rarr;
- Monitor National Marine Sanctuary celebrates 40 years January 30, 2015, marks the 40th anniversary of the nation's first national marine sanctuary—created not to protect marine life, but to preserve an important Civil War-era shipwreck. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA, Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute launch new lionfish web portal The Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (GCFI) and NOAA have partnered to launch a new web portal to provide managers, researchers, and the public with the latest information on the lionfish invasion in the Atlantic. Continue reading &rarr;
- New Coral Species Discovered off California Coast A NOAA-led research team has discovered a new species of deep-sea coral and a nursery area for catsharks and skates in the underwater canyons located close to the Gulf of Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries off the Sonoma coast. Continue reading &rarr;
- A New Perspective on U.S. Great Lakes Any geography student who's viewed a map of the United States has surely marveled at the vast expanse of the nation's Great Lakes, which contain nearly 20 percent of the Earth's surface water. To stand on the shore of any one of these freshwater inland seas--Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, or Ontario--is to gaze across boundless waters to a distant horizon. Now, NOAA's Office for Coastal Management provides another perspective on these impressive water bodies with its new Lake Level Viewer for the U.S. Great Lakes. Continue reading &rarr;
- Meet Tim Osborn, Navigation Manager In my job as a navigation manager, I work with a huge constituency of ports, navigation users, and communities, all of which are tied directly to the Gulf of Mexico and rely heavily on the products, resources, and services that NOAA provides. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA 2015 Tide Tables are Available NOAA 2015 tide tables are now available. NOAA tide tables have been in production for more than 100 years and are used by both commercial and recreational mariners for safe navigation. Printed tide tables provide the user with tide and tidal current predictions in an easy-to-read format for a particular location.  Continue reading &rarr;
- Sister Steamer Shipwrecks Surveyed In 1914, "sister" steamers Frank S. Buck and Lyman Stewart were both christened within six months of each other. Years later, both sank in central California waters near NOAA's Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Though their demises happened 15 years apart, in an astonishing coincidence, the two ships sank in virtually the same location near San Francisco Bay. Their engines are still visible at low tide.  Continue reading &rarr;
- The High Cost of a Littered Beach A recent NOAA-funded Marine Debris Program economics study found that Southern California residents are losing millions of dollars each year by avoiding nearby littered beaches and traveling to beaches that are farther away and cleaner. The study is the first of its kind to look at how marine debris influences decisions to go to the beach and what it may cost.  Continue reading &rarr;
- Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Expands By 3,852 Square Miles On Sep. 5, NOAA released a final rule and environmental impact statement expanding the boundaries of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron from 448 square miles to 4,300 square miles. The new boundaries now include the waters of Lake Huron adjacent to Alcona, Alpena, and Presque Isle counties to the international border. Continue reading &rarr;
- Online Atlas Documents Coastal Land Cover Changes Over Time A new NOAA nationwide analysis shows that between 1996 and 2011, 64,975 square miles in coastal regions--can area larger than the state of Wisconsin--experienced changes in land cover, including a decline in wetlands and forest cover with development a major contributing factor. Continue reading &rarr;
- Southeast Coast Saltwater Paddling Trail If you've ever had the notion to paddle an unbroken marsh and river trail that meanders for hundreds of miles down America's picturesque Southeast coast, check out the Southeast Coast Saltwater Paddling Trail (SECT) website. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Opens a Window (Screen) on the World of Toxic Algae Using little more than a common window screen, scientists at NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science have developed a simple, low-cost tool to monitor harmful bottom-dwelling algae in diverse marine habitats around the world. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Forecasts Support Response to Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom NOAA scientists continue to issue timely forecasts to aid in the response to a bloom of cyanobacteria that contaminated drinking water in Lake Erie on Aug. 2, which left nearly 400,000 people in Ohio without drinking water for two days. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA-, EPA-Supported Scientists Find Average But Large Gulf Dead Zone NOAA- and EPA-supported scientists have measured the 2014 Gulf of Mexico dead zone, an area with low oxygen water, to be 5,052 square miles--approximately the size of Connecticut. The measurements were taken during the 30th annual hypoxia survey cruise from July 27 to August 2. Continue reading &rarr;
- South Slough Estuarine Reserve Turns 40 This summer South Slough, Oregon celebrates its 40th anniversary as a National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), the first in the nation! South Slough (pronounced "slew") pioneered what is now 28 reserves, located in 22 coastal states and Puerto Rico, providing scientific information, educational, and recreational opportunities for all. South Slough Estuary is a 5,000-acre natural area nestled on Oregon's southwestern coast. Part of the larger Coos Bay estuary, South Slough is a mix of tidal and freshwater habitat including marshes, mudflats, streams, and forests. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA and Partners Dedicate Jacksonville PORTS® On July 23, NOAA and its local partner, the Jacksonville Marine Transportation Exchange, dedicated the newest Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System, or PORTS®. The new Jacksonville PORTS®, the second largest established in the national system, includes 46 operational sensors that cover water level, meteorological, visibility, salinity, air gap (under bridge clearance), and currents.   Continue reading &rarr;
- Voices from the Working Waterfront NOAA recently initiated a project called "Voices from the Working Waterfront," which will record oral histories about efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of these unique and often historic maritime communities.   Continue reading &rarr;
- Seeing things more clearly: NOAA employs a new approach to aerial imagery for Hurricane Arthur On the morning of July 4th, 2014, less than 12 hours after Hurricane Arthur roared up the coast of North Carolina and Virginia, NOAA's National Geodetic Survey began flying survey missions to take aerial photographs to document damage, erosion, and potential impacts to navigation. This collection of coastline imagery, now available online, employs new photographic techniques that NGS experts expect will lead to more comprehensive post-storm surveys in the future. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Announces Guidance to Improve Community Resilience to Coastal Hazards The National Coastal Zone Management Program, established under the Coastal Zone Management Act, empowers state and local decision makers, while at the same time providing national context, guidance, and technical assistance through NOAA and the National Ocean Service. Today, NOAA released updated guidance that reflects the specific challenges that coastal hazards pose to community resilience.  Continue reading &rarr;
- Meet Katie Krushinski Meet Katie Krushinski, Training and Communication Coordinator, NOAA's Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center (DRC), Office of Response and Restoration.
- The Charles W. Morgan Sails Again Nearly a century after its final voyage, the whaleship Charles W. Morgan is riding the seas again. From July 11-13, the historic whaler will make a symbolic journey to one of the world's premiere whale-watching sites -- NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off the Massachusetts coast. While there, the Morgan's crew will team with NOAA to conduct outreach activities highlighting the sanctuary's role in whale conservation and ocean research. Continue reading &rarr;
- Keeping America's Beachgoers Safe The beach remains one of the most popular summer vacation destinations in the U.S. Both coastal residents and out-of-town tourists partake in the many joys it has to offer. From swimming to surfing to sun bathing and whale watching, the shore provides us with so many unique activities. To help keep the coastal economy thriving, coastal communities safe, and your vacation enjoyable, NOAA provides a variety of services. Continue reading &rarr;
- New Nautical Chart for Charleston Harbor Ships entering the Port of Charleston will have a new and improved nautical chart that covers a larger area to ensure safer navigational approaches into the harbor. Available on the 4th of July, new chart 11525 (Charleston Harbor Entrance and Approach) replaces the old chart 11523 (Charleston Harbor Entrance). It expands chart coverage further east, covering an additional 345 square nautical miles that wasn’t on the old chart. Continue reading &rarr;
- Ten Dangers at the Beach Trips to the beach aren't always fun in the sun. Plan your summer beach visit with the following safety tips in mind. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA, Partners Predict Average 'Dead Zone' for Gulf of Mexico; Slightly Above-average in Chesapeake Bay Scientists are expecting an average, but still large, hypoxic or "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico this year, and slightly above-average hypoxia in the Chesapeake Bay . NOAA-supported modeling is forecasting this year's Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone to cover an area ranging from about 4,633 to 5,708 square miles, or about the size of the state of Connecticut.A second NOAA-funded forecast, for the Chesapeake Bay, predicts a slightly larger than average dead zone in the nation's largest estuary. Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Helps ‘Rescue’ Century-old Data from the Grand Canyon Surveyors from NOAA and the U.S. Geological Survey recently teamed up to update hundreds of geodetic control points in and around the Grandy Canyon. If you want to determine where you are (in the Grand Canyon or anywhere in the U.S.), you need a known starting, or reference, point. Take a bunch of these points, and you have a spatial reference system. In the U.S., the National Spatial Reference System ensures that all U.S. positioning information, including every map made by any government agency, fits together. Surveyors and others depend on the NSRS to ensure that positional coordinates are correct when creating or improving maps, setting property boundaries, planning and designing roads and bridges, and simply trying to predict if your backyard will flood the next time it rains. Continue reading &rarr;
- On Vacation? Make Smarter Charter Choices with these NOAA Programs Did you know that NOAA partners with commercial whale and dolphin watching companies, as well as diving and snorkeling charters, to promote safe and responsible ocean adventures? While watching dolphins and whales may not seem obtrusive, when conducted irresponsibly, it can actually disrupt feeding, nursing, mating, and migrating behaviors and cause unintended injuries to the animals and the watcher. Likewise, by practicing responsible diving and snorkeling, you can lessen local stress on a coral reef ecosystem while still enjoying its beauty. Continue reading &rarr;
- ‘Climate Literacy for All’ in Vietnam Peg Steffen, NOS’s education program manager, recently returned from three months in Vietnam where she led the development of training materials for leaders in Vietnam’s Thanh Hoa province (provinces are equivalent to U.S. states). She worked with a dedicated group of experts to develop a workshop on climate science that took place in late May.   Continue reading &rarr;
- Do Your Part: Help Protect Our Estuaries Estuaries are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world and are home to many different plants and animals. Estuaries also support the U.S. economy in the form of seafood sales, jobs, and recreational activities such as fishing, bird watching, and boating. Here's how you can do your part to help protect and conserve our nation's estuaries.  Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Hosts Oceanography Merit Badge Event: Video and Story Over the last four years, 187 Boy Scouts from as far away as Georgia and South Carolina have worked toward their merit badges in Oceanography by participating in an annual event hosted by NOAA’s Center for Operational Oceanography Products and Services (CO-OPS) Field Operations Division, located in Chesapeake, Virginia. This year, 44 boys aged 11 to 17 built makeshift buoys and learned what made them float (or not). The scouts were divided into five groups and rotated through five work stations where, in addition to the physics of buoyancy, they learned about shipwrecks, hydrography, Chesapeake Bay ecology, and ocean acidification. Continue reading &rarr;
- New tech promises improved offshore observations and better early warning forecasts for Gulf of Maine 'red tides' Forecasters predict a moderate red tide in the Gulf of Maine this season. The prediction was made with data on cysts, or seeds, of toxic algae Alexandrium fundyense collected last fall using new predictive computer models. These models will also be run weekly from April to August to better predict where these harmful algal blooms (HABS) may appear during the Gulf of Maine red tide season.   Continue reading &rarr;
- View near real-time surface currents for San Francisco Bay and lower Chesapeake Bay A new high frequency radar product provides near real-time surface current observations and tidal current predictions online. The product is now operational in San Francisco Bay and the lower Chesapeake Bay.  Continue reading &rarr;
- Dive In: Underwater Adventure Historic shipwrecks. Colorful coral reefs. Amazing marine wildlife. NOAA's national marine sanctuaries and estuarine research reserves offer all this and more to diving enthusiasts in coastal U.S. states and territories. NOAA sanctuaries and reserves are protected areas that help us conserve these special coastal and marine places for future generations, while still enjoying all they have to offer today. Diving is just one of many recreational opportunities available at our these sites. Continue reading &rarr;
- Traditional Palauan Agriculture Supports Healthy Coral Reefs The coral reefs of Palau—an island nation in the western Pacific Ocean—are threatened by sedimentation resulting from land clearing in watersheds. A new study funded by NOAA confirms what Palauans have known for millennia: that cultivated wetlands, in particular taro (Colocasia esculenta) fields, can control soil erosion and reduce the impact of runoff on to near-shore coral reefs.   Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Sets Sail for Hydrographic Survey Season NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey will manage and conduct hydrographic surveys covering more than 2,000 square nautical miles in U.S. waters this year. Hydrographic surveys measure water depths and collect data that characterize the ocean floor, and are used to update nautical charts, identify hazards to navigation, map coastal habitats, and assist state governments with infrastructure projects (the siting of wind farms, for example). Continue reading &rarr;
- Oyster Aquaculture Could Improve Potomac River Oyster aquaculture in the Potomac River estuary could result in significant improvements to water quality, according to a new NOAA and U.S. Geological Survey study published in the journal Aquatic Geochemistry. All of the nitrogen currently polluting the Potomac River estuary could be removed if 40 percent of its river bed were used for shellfish cultivation, according to the joint study. The researchers determined that a combination of aquaculture and restored oyster reefs may provide even larger overall ecosystem benefits. Oysters, creatures that feed by filtering, can clean an enormous volume of water of algae which can cause poor water quality. Continue reading &rarr;
- Bottle Cast from Ship in 1959 Discovered on Martha's Vineyard Shore You never know what you might find on a beach. Just ask Keith Moreis. During a winter stroll along the shores of Martha's Vineyard in December, 2013, Mr. Moreis found a bottle cast adrift 54 years ago. But who cast the bottle into the ocean?   Continue reading &rarr;
- Changes in Climate Could Make Pesticides More Toxic to Estuarine Organisms Changes in climate may influence pesticide toxicity in the coastal zone, according to a recent study by NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS). Pesticides enter our estuarine waters by runoff from land following a storm. These pesticides are used for agricultural, turf grass, home and garden, and mosquito control applications. Continue reading &rarr;
- Balancing Offshore Energy, Recreation, and Tourism NOAA serves up data to help understand the pros and cons of wind farm projects. Tourism and recreation are major contributors to the local economy for many U.S. coastal areas. The development of offshore facilities that harness wind power to generate electricity could affect the natural beauty that draws visitors to those areas. At this time, there is little data on the impacts of offshore wind facilities to U.S. tourism and recreation. Continue reading &rarr;
- Free PDF Nautical Charts Now Available Nearly 2.3 million charts were downloaded within 90 days of the beta release of NOAA’s new free PDF nautical charts, which provide up-to-date navigation information in this universally available file type. Continue reading &rarr;
- Digital Atlas Shows Alaska Sea Ice History Since 1850 Want to know how much of the Beaufort Sea was covered in ice in January 1850? You can now do so, thanks to a new website developed with support from the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS), a region of the NOAA-led U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). Continue reading &rarr;
- NOAA Study: Unique Fish Species Dominate Pacific Deep Sea Coral Reefs Deep coral reefs in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) may contain the highest percentage of fish species found nowhere else on Earth, according to a study by NOAA scientists published in the Bulletin of Marine Science. Part of the largest protected area in the United States, the islands, atolls and submerged habitats of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) harbor unprecedented levels of biological diversity, underscoring the value in protecting this area, scientists said. Continue reading &rarr;
- Ocean Gliders Listen for Reef Fish Activity This month, two autonomous ocean gliders are travelling the waters along the southeast U.S. coast and U.S. Caribbean to detect concentrations of reef fish activity around marine protected areas. The gliders collect sounds produced by several types of reef fish while they are aggregating and reproducing. Once these gliders are retrieved at the end of the month, NOAA scientists and partners will analyze the sound recordings and combine them with water temperature and current information to better understand reef fish spawning aggregations and habitat. Continue reading &rarr;
- High Levels of Pollutants Found in Sediment in Guánica Bay NOAA researchers measured pollutants in the sediments of Guánica Bay, Puerto Rico, and found these were among the highest concentrations of PCBs, chlordane, chromium and nickel ever measured in the history of NOAA’s National Status & Trends Program. The National Status and Trends Program is a nationwide contaminant monitoring program that began in 1986. These results were released in a NOAA study earlier this month. Continue reading &rarr;
- Beach Watch Celebrates 20th Anniversary NOS's flagship formal volunteer program, called Beach Watch, just celebrated its 20th anniversary at central California's Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (NMS). The sanctuary protects 1,282 square miles of coastal and offshore Pacific waters, providing critical breeding and pupping habitat for northern elephant seals, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, California sea lions, and northern fur seals. Its bountiful waters also support the largest seabird rookery in the contiguous United States. Continue reading &rarr;
- What Does Tidal Flooding Look Like? It can be difficult to visualize the types of impacts a community may see following a tidal flooding event. To help users better understand such a scenario, the NOAA Coastal Services Center has produced a short animated video on tidal flooding impacts. This video is aimed at helping users visualize the impacts of tidal flooding, understand the aggravating factors, and learn ways to lessen those impacts within their coastal communities.
- NOAA Releases Interactive Chart Catalog NOAA recently released a new interactive chart locator that allows users to find their nautical charts in multiple formats. This vastly improves the process for searching for and obtaining nautical charts. Whether downloading one of the new PDF nautical charts, selecting a chart to order from a "print-on-demand" vendor, or finding an electronic chart, the interactive catalog presents a highly integrated suite of navigation products for immediate use.
- Study Finds That Sunscreen Chemical Threatens Coral Reefs National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science researchers and their partners have discovered that a sunscreen chemical commonly used in many soaps, cosmetics, and body fragrances is highly toxic to corals. The team's data show that even very low concentrations of benzophenone-2, or BP-2, can quickly kill juvenile corals. BP-2 is an additive used in personal-care products since the 1960s to protect against the damaging effects of ultraviolet light.
- Boaters Invited to Help Track Whale Movements Yachters and sailors are invited to help scientists track the movements of endangered humpback whales between NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and its sister sanctuaries across the Caribbean as part of Carib Tails, a new international citizen science effort.
- A Virtual Tour of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands The first 360-degree panoramic images from five new locations within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) are now live on Google Maps. Internet users can now virtually visit Tern Island and East Island at French Frigate Shoals, Laysan Island, Lisianski Island, and Pearl and Hermes Atoll.
- Coast Survey to Improve Magenta Line On January 14, the Office of Coast Survey announced that future editions of nautical charts of the Intracoastal Waterway will be updated to include an improved “magenta line” that has historically aided navigation down the East Coast and around the Gulf Coast. Additionally, Coast Survey will change the magenta line’s function, from the perceived "recommended route" established more than a hundred years ago, to an advisory directional guide that helps prevent boaters from going astray in the maze of channels that comprise the route.
- NOAA Report Provides a Snapshot of U.S. Marine Protected Areas NOAA’s National Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Center recently released a new report on the state of MPAs in the United States. Marine Protected Areas of the United States: Conserving Our Oceans, One Place at a Time, provides a detailed snapshot of the coverage, level of protection, protected resources, and ecological representativeness of MPAs in U.S. waters. It also features brief case studies in MPA management from around the country.
- A New Nautical Chart for New York Harbor NOAA’s latest edition of Chart 12334 -- New York Harbor will enable ships, barges, ferries, and recreational vessels to navigate more safely through New York Harbor. One of the world’s largest natural harbors, and the busiest on the Eastern Seaboard, New York Harbor suffered damages from Post Tropical Cyclone Sandy in October 2012.
- Study Looks at How Coral Reefs are Adapting to Climate Change Coral reefs may be able to adapt to moderate climate warming and improve their chance of surviving through the end of this century, if there are large reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. This finding along with data to suggest that corals have already adapted to part of the warming that has occurred so far is part of a study funded by NOAA.
- Meet Jennifer Koss [People of NOS] Meet Jennifer, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Deputy Director.
- GIS Day: Celebrating the Digital Link Between Maps and Information [Feature] This year we celebrate GIS Day on November 20, as part of Geography Awareness Week. It might surprise the average person how much geography matters in our everyday lives. The ability to link maps digitally to information enables us to visualize and understand patterns and relationships around us. Geographic information systems, or GIS, provides this link.
- The Advent of the Modern-Day Shipping Container [Feature] Read a brief history of the humble shipping container. The arrival of containers revolutionized the shipping industry. Containers could be efficiently stacked, allowing more and more goods to be transported across the seas. Labor costs were dramatically lowered and, since containers were sealed, theft was reduced. Over time, the marine transportation industry and the size of ships, trucks, trains, docks, and ports increased and expanded to handle the growing use of containers. The impact on global commerce was enormous, leading to a boom in international trade due to lower transportation and handling costs.
- How high is the Washington Monument? [Feature] This month, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) conducted a series of geodetic surveys of the peak of the Washington Monument. These surveys will allow NOAA to establish a new definitive height for the monument and allow comparisons with future surveys to detect any changes in height. Questions? We thought you might have a few, so we put together a handy Q&A.
- Historic Traveling Bilby Tower Comes Home [Feature] Employees of NOAA's National Geodetic Survey recently volunteered their services in Osgood, Indiana, where the Surveyors Historical Society erected a historic Bilby Tower in Osgood Trail Park. Osgood is the hometown of Jasper Bilby, who invented the innovative survey tower in 1927. The tower now stands as a permanent monument to Jasper Bilby and his pioneering contribution to geodesy's evolution.
- New Investments in Coastal & Ocean Observing [What's New] In fiscal year 2013, NOAA awarded $27.2 million to sustain critical ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing efforts and support innovative marine sensor technologies. Funding for the awards, provided through IOOS, other federal agencies, and NOAA programs, will "sustain those observations and speed the transition of promising new technologies into the ocean, where they can serve our coastal communities day in and day out," says IOOS Director Zdenka Willis.
- Aerial Photos: Post-Sandy and After Restoration [What's New] NOAA's National Geodetic Survey (NGS) recently collected imagery and topographic/bathymetric Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) data over several New Jersey areas hard-hit by Sandy in 2012. The images will primarily support NOAA nautical chart updates, but will also be used for inundation modeling, coastal zone management and restoration, and as a baseline for future storm impacts and changes in these areas. This latest round of imagery collection follows a series of missions in 2012, during which NGS collected thousands of images of damage along the East Coast immediately following Sandy.
- NOAA Coast Survey Wants to Hear from Boaters about the Intracoastal Waterway Route [What's New] If you are a recreational boater, fisherman, or another member of the maritime community, NOAA's Office of Coast Survey wants to pick your brain about the "magenta line," which historically depicted the recommended route for the Intracoastal Waterway on NOAA nautical charts. A recent Federal Register Notice outlines NOAA's options for improving the accuracy of the magenta line, which is presently being removed from new editions of nautical charts.
- NOAA to End Printing Paper Nautical Charts [What's New] NOAA's Office of Coast Survey, which creates and maintains the nation's suite of a thousand nautical charts of U.S. coastal waters, has announced major changes ahead for mariners and others who use nautical charts. Starting April 13, 2014, the federal government will no longer print traditional lithographic (paper) nautical charts. The decision to stop production is based on several factors: the declining demand for lithographic charts, the increasing use of digital and electronic charts, and federal budget realities.
- NOAA Library Preserves Rare Treasures of Modern Marine Science [Feature] The NOAA Library is one of the nation's oldest federal repositories of scientific information. The Library of Congress was founded in 1800; NOAA established its primeval library about 10 years later, when Ferdinand Hassler, founding superintendent of the U.S. Survey of the Coast, amassed books and illustrations on mapping, charting, and other topics related to navigation.
- Underwater ‘Gliders’ Help Improve Hurricane Forecasts [What's New] A fleet of underwater robots is descending into Atlantic coastal waters from Nova Scotia to Georgia to collect data that may help improve storm intensity forecasts for future hurricane seasons. Several regions of the NOAA-led U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) have partnered to deploy approximately 15 of the autonomous underwater vehicles, also called gliders, for up to eight weeks during the peak fall Atlantic storm season..
- NOAA Launches Great Lakes Online Mapping Tool [What's New] NOAA has launched a new online mapping tool for the Great Lakes region that will give decision makers, resource managers, and environmental responders better information as they clean up hazardous materials and restore the coastal and estuarine environments.  The new Great Lakes Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA®) features the most comprehensive collection of environmental contaminant data in the region, as well as information on natural resources, habitats, weather, water levels, and currents. It adds to ERMA coverage in other regions around the nation, and focuses on coastal areas in the Great Lakes Basin from Minnesota to New York and from Ontario to Quebec in Canada.
- The Great Loop: Circumnavigating Eastern North America by Boat [Feature] The Great Loop is a continuous waterway one can traverse that includes a little bit of the Atlantic, Gulf Intracoastal Waterways, the Great Lakes, Canadian Heritage Canals, and the inland rivers of America's heartland. Once the journey is complete, you are an official "Looper." There are some requirements. They include a great amount of time, a boat with less than a five foot draft to get you down those inland waterways and, of course, NOAA nautical charts and a NOAA radio. Along the way, you can visit a number of National Marine Sanctuaries and National Estuarine Research Reserves.
- National Estuaries Week, September 23-29 [Feature] Estuaries are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world and are home to many different plants and animals. Estuaries also support the U.S. economy in the form of seafood sales, jobs, and recreational activities such as fishing, bird watching, and boating. Our National Estuarine Research Reserves are designed to protect these areas and the species that inhabit them. Do your part to help protect and conserve our nation's estuaries.
- The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 [Feature] On September 8, 1900, a horrific hurricane slammed into Galveston, Texas. Wind speeds surpassed 135 miles per hour, making it a category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Storm surges rose 15 feet and, within hours, estimates of 6,000 to 12,000 unwary people were killed and over 3,600 buildings were destroyed. The Galveston Hurricane remains the deadliest natural disaster in United States history.
- Finding the Robert J. Walker [What's New] More than 153 years after it was lost in a violent collision at sea, NOAA and partners have identified the wreck of the ship Robert J. Walker, a steamer that served in the U.S. Coast Survey, a predecessor agency of NOAA. The Walker served a vital role as a survey ship, charting the Gulf Coast in the decade before the Civil War.The Walker wreck site initially was discovered in the 1970s by a commercial fisherman. Resting 85 feet underwater, the vessel’s identity was confirmed in June 2013, as part of a private-public collaboration that included research provided by New Jersey wreck divers; Joyce Steinmetz, a maritime archaeology student at East Carolina University; and retired NOAA Corps Capt. Albert Theberge.While in the area to conduct hydrographic surveys after Hurricane Sandy for navigation safety, NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson sailed to the wreck site and deployed its multibeam and sidescan sonar systems to search for the Walker. Using the data from these hydrographic surveys, a NOAA Maritime Heritage dive team, on a separate Hurricane Sandy-related mission in the area, was able to positively identify the Walker. Key clues were the size and layout of the iron-hulled wreck, and its unique engines, rectangular portholes, and the location of the ship, which was found still pointing toward the Absecon lighthouse, the final destination of a desperate crew on a sinking vessel.Now with the remains of the Walker positively identified, NOAA’s intent is not to make this wreck a sanctuary or to limit diving, but to work with New Jersey’s wreck diving community to better understand it and the stories it can tell..
- NOAA's Historical Hurricane Tracks [What's New] NOAA's Historical Hurricane Tracks, a free online tool, now includes all 2012 global hurricanes. The site, developed by the NOAA Coastal Services Center in partnership with NOAA's National Hurricane Center and National Climatic Data Center, offers data and information on coastal county hurricane strikes through 2012. It also provides links to detailed reports on the life histories and effects of U.S. tropical cyclones since 1958, with additional U.S. storm paths traced as far back as 1851. The site contains global hurricane data from as far back as 1842. Of note, the online tool now incorporates the path of and details on Hurricane Sandy. Barreling up the U.S. Atlantic coast, the super storm made landfall in New Jersey on October 29, 2012. It was one of the costliest storms in American history, affecting parts of 24 states, and killing scores of people. Total U.S. damage estimates from the storm exceed $50 billion.
- Southeast Coast Saltwater Paddling Trail Conveys the Beauty of Conservation Partnerships [Feature] If you've ever had the notion to paddle an unbroken marsh and river trail that meanders for hundreds of miles down America's picturesque Southeast coast, check out the recently launched Southeast Coast Saltwater Paddling Trail (SECT) website. This new online resource provides maps and guidance for a 760-mile trail that extends from Virginia through the Carolinas and down into Georgia, and passes through several National Estuarine Research Reserves along the way. NOAA's Coastal Zone Management Program, overseen by the NOS Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM), provided funding assistance for the website, and, together with numerous partners, has played an important role in preserving scenic and pristine areas for paddlers and other recreationists to enjoy.
- Federal agencies remapping coastal areas damaged by Hurricane Sandy [News] On the heels of the Aug. 19 release of the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force progress report, three federal agencies have announced plans for remapping parts of the East Coast, where Hurricane Sandy altered seafloors and shorelines, destroyed buildings, and disrupted millions of lives last year. NOAA, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are using emergency supplemental funds provided by Congress to survey coastal waters and shorelines, acquiring data that will update East Coast land maps and nautical charts. Using ships, aircraft, and satellites, the agencies will measure water depths, look for submerged debris, and record altered shorelines in high priority areas from South Carolina to Maine, as stipulated by Congress in the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013. The areas to be remapped will be based on their relative dangers to navigation, effects from the storm, and discussions with state and local officials as well as the maritime industry.
- Planning Today for Sea Level Rise Tomorrow [Feature] The devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of coastal communities to damage from storms and flooding. As efforts continue to rebuild hard-hit areas along the East Coast path of the storm, a new tool is helping people make planning decisions that take into account future sea level rise. Using the best-available science and data, federal agencies developed a sea level rise planning tool to help state and local officials, community planners, and infrastructure managers understand possible future flood risks from sea level rise for use in planning decisions.  The sea level rise planning tool is designed to help state and local officials, community planners, and infrastructure managers understand possible future flood risks from sea level rise for use in planning decisions.
- New Additions to the National System of Marine Protected Areas [What's New] A total of 82 existing marine protected areas were recently added to the National System of Marine Protected Areas. This addition brings the total number of marine protected areas in the national system to 437.Sites in the national system remain under the management of the agency that established them, but work voluntarily and cooperatively together to address common management problems, such as adapting to climate change impacts or managing emerging ocean uses.The national system was established in 2008, to connect and strengthen the nation’s diverse marine protected area programs managed by federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local governments. Examples of marine protected areas include national marine sanctuaries, national parks, national wildlife refuges, and their state counterparts. Eighty of the new additions are state marine protected areas established through California’s Marine Life Protection Act and are managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The remaining two additions are Padre Island National Seashore in Texas and Redwoods National Park in California.
- Wounded Veterans Help Rebuild Coral Reefs at Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary [What's New] Vulneror non Vincor, the Latin motto of the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge , means "I am wounded, not conquered." The maxim is also applicable to coral reefs, which have declined worldwide in recent decades, but benefit from science and conservation efforts. To help bolster coral populations in NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, volunteer divers with the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge and the youth group SCUBAnauts recently joined scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory in reef restoration efforts.Participating veterans included amputees, double amputees, the recipient of a double lung transplant, and those with traumatic brain injuries. Some are outfitted with special waterproof prosthetics that allow them to dive. The veterans, their SCUBAnaut dive partners, and Mote scientists transplanted 600 Staghorn corals on Keys' reefs. At the same time, the veterans were testing new prosthetic devices for swimming and diving.One wounded warrior said after the dive, "Life is not over. There's a future if you want it.  Sometimes all people need is a nudge. We are still an active part of society, and we can be hired to do any job put in front of us."
- Estuaries: Coastal Climate Change Bellwethers [What's New] The nation's 28 National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR) are experiencing the negative effects of human and climate-related stressors, according to new NOAA research.The national study, Climate Sensitivity of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, points to three East Coast reserves (Sapelo Island NERR in Georgia, ACE Basin NERR in South Carolina and Waquoit Bay NERR in Massachusetts) and the Tijuana River NERR on the California-Mexico border as the most sensitive to climate change.Estuaries are places where rivers meet the sea, providing nursery habitat for fish and shellfish while buffering many coastal communities from the impacts of coastal storms and sea level rise. The climate exposure of each reserve provides 'first alarm' indicators about the effects of climate change on coastal ecosystems. Ongoing research at each of the reserves provides real-time data about how climate change impacts these important natural resources.
- Chinese Scientists Acquire New Skills with One-Year Fellowships at NOAA [Feature] Three visiting scientists from China's State Oceanic Administration (SOA) will spend the next year contributing to NOAA projects while acquiring new skills that they will put to use when they return to their jobs in China. Their one-year fellowships to NOAA come under the auspices of the U.S.-China Protocol on Marine and Fisheries Science and Technology, a program of the U.S. State Department.
- Recreational Boating [Explore] NOAA's Office of Coast Survey, the nation's nautical chartmaker, provides a suite of products to help make maritime transportation safe for all users. These products, while keeping commerce safely moving through our nation's waterways and ports, provide valuable information to the recreational boating community as well. Explore the free NOAA nautical products available to help make your next trip an enjoyable one:        NOAA BookletCharts contain all the information of the full-scale nautical chart but is reduced in scale and divided into multiple pages for convenience.  The BookletCharts help recreational boaters locate themselves on the water.  Boaters like to put each page in a sheet protector and keep them handy. They are updated weekly and printable at home for free.        The United States Coast Pilot expands on the information on nautical charts and provides sailing directions for U.S. coastal and intracoastal waterways and the Great Lakes.  Within its nine volumes of supplemental information, the Coast Pilot provides information from channel and wharf descriptions to weather and ice conditions. Coast Pilot updates are continually posted on its website.        On the water and need information in near real-time?  NOAA's nowCOAST, a web mapping portal, provides access to observations, forecasts, imagery, and geo-referenceed layers for all regions of the U.S.  NowCOAST is updated at regular intervals throughout the day  so boaters can stay aware of the ever-changing environment.        Understanding nautical charts is critical to navigating waterways. The U.S. Chart No. 1 provides descriptions for the symbols, abbreviations, and terms found on both paper and electronic navigational charts.        It’s fun to learn the history of where you’re sailing, and studying old charts sometimes reveal histories you never suspected. Our Historical Map & Chart Collection has over 35,000 images, covering offshore and onshore sites. They include some of the nation’s earliest nautical charts, bathymetric maps, city plans, and even a special collection of Civil War maps, charts and sketches.        You got an App for that?  We sure do!  Currently in beta form, MyNOAACharts is a tablet application that allows users to download NOAA nautical charts and editions of the U.S. Coast Pilot.  Usable on land and water, this app will help in your trip planning and while sailing.        Teach kids about nautical charting or even learn more yourself with NOAA’s Educational Activities and Videos. Travel the Seas, an animated primer on nautical charts, is a great way to get started!
- NOAA Study Helps Identify Wind Energy Development Sites in New York [What's New] Recently, the state of New York released the New York Department of State Offshore Atlantic Ocean Study describing the physical, biological, wildlife, and geographic characteristics of the offshore Atlantic Ocean adjacent to New York. This study, with significant contribution from NOAA, lays the groundwork for selecting suitable sites for offshore wind energy development. The Offshore Atlantic Ocean Study draws from NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science’s (NCCOS) report, A Biogeographic Assessment of Seabirds, Deep Sea Corals, and Ocean Habitats of the New York Bight: Science to Support Offshore spatial Planning. The report provides a compilation of maps and biogeographic assessments for the offshore waters of New York. This NCCOS report, along with other reports cited in the study, provide a foundation for future site assessment and other relevant research activities in New York, reducing potential duplicative efforts and increasing efficiencies.
- NOAA Removes '18-Wheeler's Worth' of Debris from Mid-Pacific Waters [What's New] A team of divers and oceanographers from the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division of NOAA's Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center recently removed 14 metric tons of debris from the near-shore environment around Midway Atoll. The tiny island, located 3,218 km from the Hawaiian mainland, played a pivotal role as a U.S. Navy base during World War II, and is now part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The collected debris--equal in weight to an 18-wheeler--consisted largely of derelict fishing gear and all sorts of plastic. The largest single piece of debris removed by the team was a seven-meter-long vessel swept away during the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan. When the research ship M/V Casitas ran aground on the remote coral reefs of Pearl and Hermes Atoll in 2005, NOAA's Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program (DARRP) and other trustees conducted a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) to determine the extent of the injured resources. The NRDA process resulted in a $3.8 million legal settlement that provided funds for the trustees to remove massive amounts of marine debris from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands over several summers, starting in 2011.
- Significant Harmful Algal Bloom Predicted in Western Lake Erie for Summer 2013 [What's New] NOAA and research partners predict that the 2013 western Lake Erie harmful algal bloom (HAB) season will have a significant bloom of cyanobacteria, a toxic blue-green algae, this summer. The predicted bloom is expected to be larger than last year, but considerably less than the record-setting 2011 bloom. Bloom impacts will vary across the lake’s western basin. This year marks the second time NOAA has issued an annual outlook for western Lake Erie.  The forecast, made possible using NOAA models developed by scientists from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), uses an 11-year data set of nutrients flowing into Lake Erie, collected by the Heidelberg University’s National Center for Water Quality Research, and analysis of satellite data from the European Space Agency’s Envisat. In addition to the satellite monitoring of the lake, NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Ohio State University’s Sea Grant Program and Stone Laboratory, Heidelberg University, the University of Toledo, and Ohio EPA will be collecting measurements from the lake as the summer progresses. The goal of those collaborative efforts is to further refine the accuracy of this forecast’s models.
- New PORTS Dedicated in Charleston, S.C. [What's New] Charleston harbor, South Carolina, is home to the nation's 23rd Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS®). This NOAA system provides real-time information that determines bridge clearance measurements from special air gap sensors, as well as water level and meteorological information from long-term tide stations, providing users with critical data when transiting the harbor.  Officials from NOS's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) and the South Carolina State Ports Authority dedicated the new system on June 27.
- NOAA, Partners Test Red Tide Robot to Detect Shellfish Toxins [What's New] Recently, NOAA and partners conducted the first field test of an underwater robot using a NOAA-developed sensor that enables remote, automated measurements of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs). PSTs are produced by the dinoflagellate Alexandrium, the algae that causes toxic red tides in the Gulf of Maine.
- MEET: Mike Pai [People of NOS] Meet Mike Pai, Animation/3D Visualization Specialist, NOAA Coastal Services Center.
- Urban Renewal: Lardner's Point Transformed from Blight to Jewel [Feature] Urban waterfronts are eyesores in many cities around the nation, often littered with abandoned buildings, debris, and crumbling concrete. That's what Lardner's Point in Philadelphia looked like just a few years ago. Today, with partial funding from the Athos oil spill settlement, the rubble-strewn shoreline of Lardner's Point is a lively waterfront public park with restored wetlands.
- Report: 36 Shipwrecks Scattered Across U.S. Sea Floor May Pose Oil Pollution Threat [What's New] This week, NOAA presented to the U.S. Coast Guard a new report that finds that 36 sunken vessels scattered across the U.S. sea floor could pose an oil pollution threat to the nation’s coastal marine resources. Of those, 17 were recommended for further assessment and potential removal of both fuel oil and oil cargo.
- Unmanned Aircraft System Launched from NOAA Ship [What's New] NOAA recently launched and operated an Unmanned Aircraft System aboard the NOAA ship Nancy Foster. This was one of the first missions of its kind to be conducted from a NOAA ship.
- 30 Days of Oceans [Feature] We're counting down to June 8, World Ocean Day! Join the countdown and help us share the message that together we can protect our ocean.
- NOAA Begins 2013 Post-Sandy Hydrographic Surveys at Statue of Liberty [What's New] NOAA kicked off its spring season with post-Hurricane Sandy hydrographic work on April 11. A NOAA navigation response team--equipped with high-tech surveying equipment--began a survey in the waters surrounding Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
- NOAA Ship Tracker [Feature] Want to know where NOAA's fleet of ships are located right now? NOAA's Ship Tracker provides near real-time positioning for NOAA's fleet of large ships along with weather conditions at those locations.
- Coastal Population Tweetchat: April 17 [What's New] If current population trends continue, the already crowded U.S. coast will see population grow from 123 million people to nearly 134 million people by 2020, putting more of the population at increased risk from extreme coastal storms like Sandy and Isaac, which severely damaged infrastructure and property last year. To learn more about how the U.S. coastal population is changing, get your questions ready and tune in for our Coastal Population Tweetchat on April 17, 1:00 p.m. ET.
- NOAA Releases Coastal Population Trends Report [What's New] If current population trends continue, the already crowded U.S. coast will see population grow from 123 million people to nearly 134 million people by 2020, putting more of the population at increased risk from extreme coastal storms like Sandy and Isaac, which severely damaged infrastructure and property last year. The projection comes from a new report released today from NOAA with input from the U.S. Census Bureau.
- Environmental Response Management Application [Feature] The Environmental Response Management Application, or ERMA®, is an online mapping tool that integrates both static and real-time data, such as NOAA's Environmental Sensitivity Index maps, ship locations, weather, and ocean currents, in a centralized, easy-to-use format for environmental responders and decision makers.
- Shellfisheries Reopen at Georges Bank, Massachusetts [Feature] Something good is happening at Georges Bank, a large area off the coast of Massachusetts that separates the Gulf of Maine from the Atlantic Ocean: After 22 years, some 6,000 square miles of the sea floor recently reopened for surf clam and ocean quahog fishing.
- NOAA’s Coast Survey plans for new Arctic nautical charts [What's New] NOAA's Coast Survey office has issued an updated Arctic Nautical Charting Plan, as a major effort to improve inadequate chart coverage for Arctic areas experiencing increasing vessel traffic due to ice diminishment. With less sea ice and more ship traffic, new charts are needed for safety. NOAA plans to create 14 new charts to complement the existing chart coverage.
- NOAA Historical Shoreline Survey Viewer [Feature] With over half of the U.S. population living in coastal areas, it's no wonder that our shorelines have dramatically changed over time. Curious to see how development has altered the shoreline near you? With NOAA's Historical Shoreline Survey Viewer, it's easy to access a large number of historical shoreline surveys conducted by NOAA and its predecessor organizations.  About 7,800 surveys—the earliest dating back to 1841—are available for viewing in Google Earth. In addition to overlaying a scanned image of the survey in Google Earth, the Viewer provides links to download: the original scan and metadata, the resulting extracted vector shoreline, and a descriptive report compiled by the survey team.
- NOS Update: Helping Communities Rebuild and Recover from Sandy [What's New] While the hybrid cyclone-nor'easter known as Hurricane Sandy is long over, the communities hit by the massive storm will be rebuilding and recovering for years to come. To aid in this effort, staff from throughout the National Ocean Service (NOS) are working in partnership with federal, state, and local partners to deliver coastal science, management, and operational expertise. NOS has unique expertise in protecting coastal and estuarine habitat, reducing marine debris, and providing navigation, coastal mapping, observing, monitoring, and high-accuracy geospatial positioning services. In combination with our decision support, technical assistance, and training activities, NOS provides a suite of resources and tools to aid recovery.
- Japan Tsunami Marine Debris Tweetchat [What's New] What types of debris are expected to reach U.S. shores and where? Is the debris radioactive? What should I do if I see debris? Get answers to these questions and more during our Japan Tsunami Marine Debris TweetChat on Wednesday, March 6 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
- Voyage to Discovery: African-American Maritime Heritage [Feature] Visit Voyage to Discovery for feature stories, interviews, and videos about African-American contributions to the nation’s maritime heritage. The website is a partnership of NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), Murrain Associates, Inc., and the National Association of Black Scuba Divers.   This Disney "icon" of lesser fame but equal significance - at least as far as NOAA is concerned - is the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (C&GS) Eagle. During World War II, The Walt Disney Studio actually designed an insignia for C&GS, the predecessor of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey, Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services, National Geodetic Survey, and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.
- Oregon Plans for Offshore Marine Renewable Energy [What's New] Oregon has officially amended its Territorial Sea Plan to allow for siting of marine renewable energy development projects in state waters.  The amendment identifies four "Renewable Energy Suitability Study Areas" along the Oregon coast where initial development of wave energy will be encouraged and pose the least conflict with existing ocean uses and natural resources. The four areas are located off the coasts of Lakeside, Reedsport, Nestucca, and Camp Rilea, and total about 22 square miles or two percent of Oregon’s territorial sea.
- MEET: Holly Bamford [People of NOS] Meet Holly Bamford, Assistant Administrator, National Ocean Service (NOS).
- NOAA and U.S. Power Squadrons Renew Cooperative Charting Partnership [What's New] Rear Adm. Gerd Glang, director of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey, recently sat down with John Alter, chief commander of the U.S. Power Squadrons (USPS) to sign a Memorandum of Agreement that improves a cooperative charting program that began 50 years ago, in 1963.  The USPS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to safe boating through instruction in seamanship, navigation, and related subjects. With nearly 40,000 members in more than 400 squadrons across the U.S. and its territories, the USPS helps NOAA by keeping its members’ many watchful eyes focused on the nation’s coasts and waterways.
- Study Finds Tortugas Ecological Reserve Yields More Fish [What's New] A new NOAA research report finds that both fish populations and commercial and recreational anglers have benefitted from 'no-take' protections in the Tortugas Ecological Reserve in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
- Bamford Named New NOAA Assistant Administrator for National Ocean Service [What's New] Holly A. Bamford, Ph.D., has been named the new assistant NOAA administrator for the agency’s National Ocean Service, succeeding David M. Kennedy who was named the new NOAA deputy under secretary for operations. Prior to her appointment, Bamford served as deputy assistant administrator for NOS.
- ‘Challenger’ Mission Aimed at Sending First Underwater Glider Round the World [What's New] Scientists from Rutgers University, a Mid-Atlantic partner of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®), recently launched a second test mission, called “Challenger,” aimed at sending the first unmanned, underwater robotic vehicle--known as a “glider”--around the world.  The scientists launched the remote-controlled glider from South Africa and plan to fly it to northern Brazil, a mission that could last up to a year. In the first test mission, a glider went from Iceland to the Canary Islands. That glider is also now headed for Brazil.
- NOAA Heritage Week and Open House [What's New] Want to learn more about NOAA, its rich history, and how it takes the pulse of our planet every day? February 4-9 marks the ninth annual NOAA Heritage Week, during which NOAA will provide opportunities to explore the ways NOAA protects and manages our ocean and coastal resources.
- A New Research Points to Better Method to Weigh Risk of Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria [What's New] A recent study demonstrates a new approach that may allow scientists to better approximate the risks for bacteria to develop resistance to different families of antibiotics.
- NOAA Chart Reveals Underwater Hazard for Proposed Anchorage Area [What's New] Cartographers from NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey recently flagged a potentially dangerous situation during their review of a proposed federal rule establishing new anchorage areas on the Mississippi River.  The proposed anchorage areas were based on non-NOAA charts that did not depict the underwater pipelines. The pipelines, which carry benzene, posed a potential danger if ships dropped anchor on top of them.  The pipeline areas are depicted on the NOAA nautical chart. That chart data and original source files led to the cancellation of the proposed anchorage area.  The Office of Coast Survey is the nation's nautical chart maker, providing traditional paper charts as well as the charts used by commercial electronic navigational systems. The suite of nearly a thousand nautical charts covers 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline.
- New Memorial Dedicated to USS Monitor Crew [What's New] On December 29, NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, the U.S. Navy, and the Department of Veterans Affairs dedicated a memorial to commemorate the Civil War ironclad, USS Monitor, and its crew. The USS Monitor memorial, located in Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton, Va., honors the iconic vessel that sank in a New Year's Eve storm 150 years ago, carrying 16 crew members to their deaths.  The USS Monitor was designed by Swedish inventor John Ericsson and is best known for its Civil War battle with the Confederate ironclad, CSS Virginia in Hampton Roads, Va., on March 9, 1862. The engagement marked the first time iron-armored ships clashed in naval warfare and signaled the end of the era of wooden ships.  Less than a year later, while being towed to a new field of battle, the Monitor capsized and sank off Cape Hatteras, N.C. The skeletal remains of two sailors were found in the ship's turret during a recovery operation in 2002 by NOAA and the U.S. Navy. The remains were turned over to the Joint POW-MIA Accounting Command in Hawaii, which is working to try and identify the sailors. To date, no trace of the other 14 missing members of the crew has been found.