oceanpolicy.com

The U.S. Energy Department’s Office of Fossil Energy today announced that the Methane Hydrate Advisory Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Dec. 1-2. The meeting agenda includes an update on Alaska and Gulf of Mexico projects, discussion of international R&D activities, and Committee discussion regarding Gas Hydrates Scientific Document Recommendations to the Secretary. The Methane Hydrate Advisory [...]

The Coast Guard today announced the availability of a Policy Letter effective Oct. 28 that provides guidance on Coast Guard acceptance of certain industry-recognized standards for commercial diving operations as providing a level of safety that is equivalent to the requirements in Coast Guard regulations. The action follows a request from the Association of Diving Contractors International and the International [...]

The Maritime Administration today announced that applications are being sought by Tuesday, Dec. 22 from eligible and qualified training entities interested in being designated as a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education. Under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018, the Secretary of Transportation has discretion to designate qualified entities as Centers of Excellence, [...]

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that it is seeking comments by Tuesday, Dec. 22 on the identification of geographic areas containing locations suitable for commercial aquaculture within the Gulf of Mexico and off Southern California, as well as areas that should be considered nationally for future Aquaculture Opportunity Areas. This proceeding is being carried out in [...]

At an event at Florida Atlantic University today, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the federal strategy to address global marine litter.  Wheeler was joined by U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), Deputy Energy Secretary Mark Menezes, Council on Environmental Quality Chair Mary Neumayr, Asst. Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Deputy Administrator Tim Gallaudet, and EPA Region 4 Administrator Mary [...]

The Coast Guard today announced that it is that it is resoliciting applications through Monday, Dec. 14 for individuals interested in serving as a member of the 18-member National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee. Applicants representing the following interests will be considered: commercial fishing industry, naval architects and marine engineers, vessel equipment manufacturers, vessel underwriters, vessel owners, and [...]

President Trump today announced his intent to appoint Major General Randy “Church” Key, USAF (Ret.) to be a Member of the Arctic Research Commission.  Key, who was appointed last Tuesday, is Executive Director of the Arctic Domain Awareness Center at the University of Alaska. Established in 1985, the Commission is tasked with establishing the national policy, priorities, [...]

In an Executive Order on climate and biodiversity issued today, California Governor Gavin Newsom committed his state to a goal of conserving at least 30% of its land and coastal waters by 2030 (“30×30”).  In making the announcement, California billed itself as the first state in the nation to make the 30×30 pledge. Strategies for achieving the [...]

The Environmental Protection Agency today announced its decision to issue a final rule effective Nov. 2, 2020 amending the national marine diesel program with relief provisions in order to address concerns related to finding and installing Tier 4 marine diesel engines in certain high-speed commercial vessels. The rule specifically provides additional lead time for qualifying engines and vessels, [...]

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced its decision to keep the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary nomination in the inventory until at least Oct. 5, 2025.  The proposed sanctuary would span ~140 square miles of coastline from Cambria to Santa Barbara, CA. In making its decision, among other things NOAA determined that significant threats to the area [...]