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NOAA Announces Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary

NOAA has announced its decision to designate Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary, a 582,570 square-mile area in the Pacific Ocean that is two times the size of Texas. The sanctuary is within the existing Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, and provides additional protections and management tools to strengthen conservation of the marine areas of the monument.

sanctuaries

Restored habitat along the Lower Duwamish River

$40 million recovered from polluters for restoration in three states

Good news for a new year! NOS and partners recovered $40 million from polluters in 2024 that will fund restoration of waterways and their habitats following oil spill and industrial pollution incidents. These restoration efforts will benefit fish, wildlife, and communities disproportionately impacted by pollution.

response and restoration

Explore planet Earth with Teek and Tom!

Meet Teek and Tom! In NOAA’s new five-part animated science series: “Teek and Tom Explore Planet Earth,” an intrepid student explorer Teek from planet Queloz teams up with NOAA climate scientist Tom Di Liberto to explore the weather and climate of planet Earth.

education

Back of a drift card found in Scotland on October 22, 2024

NOS drift card used to track 1976 oil spill found

A drift card released near Nantucket, Massachusetts was found 48 years later and 3,000 miles away in Scotland. The card, and thousands like it, were distributed into the ocean as a tool to help track oil pollution from the stricken tanker, Argo Merchant.

Paul Scholz, NOS deputy assistant administrator for ocean services and coastal zone management (Image credit: NOAA)

2024 NOAA Restoration Settlements

In this video message, Paul Scholz, NOS deputy assistant administrator for ocean services and coastal zone management, shares the news that NOAA and partners helped recover over $40 million from polluters to restore four waterways in three states impacted by oil spills and industrial pollution.

Quinault Village of Taholah on the Pacific Coast. (Image credit: Larry Workman, Quinault Indian Nation)

Inflation Reduction Act: climate-ready coasts and communities

The Inflation Reduction Act is a historic, federal government-wide investment that furthers NOAA’s efforts to build a Climate-Ready Nation. As part of this investment, NOAA will work with a variety of partners in coastal and Great Lakes communities to develop and support durable, local capacity to adapt to climate change impacts, while growing economies, protecting fisheries, addressing environmental justice, and developing a climate-ready workforce.

Coastal habitats such as this salt marsh in the Gulf provide us with countless benefits, from nursery grounds for fish to protection from storms. (NOAA Fisheries)

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: climate-ready coasts

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a transformational opportunity to make an impact against the climate crisis across the country through multiple funding opportunities. As part of this law, $1.467 billion is being invested to help coastal communities build the future they want to see. Investing in high-impact natural infrastructure projects that build coastal resilience, create jobs, store carbon, and restore habitat.

A NOAA survey boat examines Tampa Bay's shipping channels in the wake of Hurricane Milton Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (Credit: NOAA National Ocean Service/Douglas E. Jessmer)

National Ocean Service helps reopen Florida ports after Hurricane Milton

In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, the National Ocean Service’s Office of Coast Survey conducted hydrographic survey operations to help reopen Port Tampa Bay and SeaPort Manatee. As part of the response effort, Coast Survey deployed teams, including a contract surveyor, in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Around the Ocean Service

Evaluating the performance of nature-based solutions: a systematic map
coastal science
Developing coastal dune models specific to California's coast
coastal science
President Jimmy Carter's National Marine Sanctuary legacy
sanctuaries
Coastal erosion and sea level rise are putting Florida's cultural heritage sites at risk
coastal science
Drift card used to track 1976 oil spill found – 48 years later
response and restoration
NOAA releases final Restoration Blueprint for Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
sanctuaries
Assessing the impact of shellfish mariculture on wildlife in Alaska
coastal science

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Explore the first modeled water level and wave dataset

tides and currents

nautical charts

career profiles

NOS 2024-2028 Strategic Plan

harmful algal blooms

sea level
rise