The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy today announced the release of a biennial report to Congress addressing research and collaboration achieved under the 2017-2021 Arctic Research Plan. OSTP said that the report “helps contextualize some of the unprecedented and recent changes in the Arctic” and “reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensuring that federal agencies [...]
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Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum Set for May
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean’s (MARCO) Committee on the Ocean announced today that it will hold its 4th annual Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum virtually on May 5-6 (registration and additional details will be available soon). The Forum will begin with an open plenary on sustainable ocean management, with Day 1 focusing on sustainable ocean ecosystems, and [...]
U.S. Congress Passes FY ’22 Spending Bill, Provides Direction on Ocean Spending
In legislation passed this week to fund the federal government through the remainder of FY 2022, the U.S. Congress provided funding for ocean-related programs including the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund ($34M, same vs. FY ’21; Fund received additional monies under last year’s infrastructure bill), Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas ($61M vs. $56.5M in FY ‘21), Coastal Zone [...]
State Dept. Official Discusses MPAs on High Seas at NY Reception
In remarks delivered at a “High Seas for One Ocean Reception” amid UN negotiations for an agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond jurisdiction (BBNJ), U.S. Asst. Sec. for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Monica Medina today voiced her hope for a BBNJ agreement in 2022. Medina said that a strong [...]
NOAA Science Advisory Board to Hold Public Meeting
NOAA on Wednesday announced that the agency’s Science Advisory Board will hold a public webinar meeting on Apr. 27-28. Agenda items will address items including updates from NOAA, leadership in coastal resilience, 2022 Work Plan topics, and a review of the draft 2022 Report to Congress from the Environmental Information Services Working Group.
NOPC Submits Comments on 30×30 Atlas
NOPC today submitted comments to the U.S. Interior Department on the development of the “American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas.” NOPC’s comment letter is available here.
Senior U.S. Officials Participate in World Ocean Summit
Several senior U.S. officials this week participated in The Economist’s virtual World Ocean Summit. In addition to a keynote interview with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on “Ambition and Action to Save the Ocean,” U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad participated in a panel discussion on “Connecting the [...]
Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council to Hold Public Meeting
The Interior Dept.’s Fish & Wildlife Service today announced that the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council will hold a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, Mar. 23 (RSVP by Mar. 21). Agenda items include updates on the National Outreach and Communications Program, FWS fish and aquatic conservation, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, and NOAA. The Council advises the [...]
National Science Foundation Announces Public Meeting
The National Science Foundation today announced that its Advisory Committee for Polar Programs will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, Mar. 24. Agenda items include upcoming field seasons and COVID-19, updates on Antarctic research vessels and NSF Geoscience Directorate activities, polar partnerships, the South Pole Station, and Russian science collaborations. The Committee provides advice and recommendations to [...]
State Dept. to Hold Meetings Ahead of IMO Gatherings
The State Dept. today announced that it will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, Mar. 15 in preparation for the 109th session of the International Maritime Organization’s Legal Committee, to be held remotely Mar. 21-25. Agenda items include measures to assess the need to amend liability limits and technical cooperation activities related to maritime legislation, among other things. The [...]
