NOAA today announced the release of the Blue Economy Strategic Plan for 2021-2025 in an effort to provide a “roadmap for new ways to advance America’s Blue Economy and enhance a global ocean economy,” with a focus on marine transportation, ocean exploration, seafood competitiveness, tourism and recreation, and coastal resilience.
The Strategic Plan, which was developed by NOAA’s Blue Economy Executive Committee, includes the following actions, among others:
- Coordinate with the Ocean Resource Management Subcommittee to streamline the permitting and authorization process for ocean mapping and exploration projects (ongoing and throughout 2022)
- Issue proposed (FY 2021) and final rule (FY 2022) to expand the boundary of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, update sanctuary-wide regulations, update the individual marine zones and their associated regulations, and revise the sanctuary management plan
- Increase private sector and philanthropic involvement in NOAA R&D (by July-Sept. 2021)
The Plan notes that the Blue Economy Executive Committee will meet monthly to oversee the execution of the strategy, and will annually modify the plan as necessary.
National Ocean Service Acting Asst. Administrator Nicole LeBoeuf said that “[b]y marshalling NOAA’s in-house expertise and collaborating with partners across the country, we can foster American business, entrepreneurship, and education in service of a sustainable Blue Economy,” adding that “[o]ur ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources are critical to our security and well-being.”
