oceanpolicy.com

In furtherance of the May 2020 Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth, NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced the selection of Southern California and the Gulf of Mexico as the first regions that will host Aquaculture Opportunity Areas.  Under the Order, the Commerce Secretary is tasked with identifying a total of 10 [...]

The Coast Guard today announced that it is seeking nominations by Friday, Sept. 18 from individuals interested in serving as Vice Chairperson or Co-Chairperson (Planning and Exercises Subcommittee) on the 7-member Gulf of Mexico Area Maritime Security Advisory Committee. The ideal candidate for the Vice Chairperson position will have over 10 years of experience in security and/or emergency operations [...]

NOAA today also announced the award of $3.1 million in grants to 21 small businesses in 14 states to support the development of technology for aquaculture, commercial and recreational fisheries, weather prediction, and earth and ocean observations and modeling. In making the announcement, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said that “[s]mall businesses across our Nation are catalysts for [...]

White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Kelvin Droegemeier today issued a Memorandum to Executive Departments and Agencies outlining FY 2022 R&D budget priorities and cross-cutting actions. “American Energy and Environmental Leadership” is one of five R&D budget priorities.  In that section, the Memorandum identifies “understanding [...]

The Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today announced the availability of a Citizen’s Guide to inform the public on the agency’s leasing process for federal sand, gravel, and other mineral resources in U.S. waters.  The guide includes an outline of resource use, process milestones, and opportunities for public involvement. BOEM noted that while commercial hard mineral [...]

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced NOAA’s Restoration Center recommendation of ~$13 million in funding for 31 new and continuing coastal and marine habitat restoration projects in 15 states and territories. The projects are designed to support sustainable fisheries, protected species, and resilience ecosystems and communities, including oysters, coral, and several fish and marine mammal species.

National Marine Fisheries Service Deputy Assistant Admin. for Operations Paul Doremus today highlighted the work of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee, including its recent meeting that included completion of reports on seafood marketing and promotion and potential impacts of offshore wind development, sharing of experiences regarding COVID and impacts on fishermen and the industry, and endorsement of [...]

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service and the Interior Department’s Fish and Wildlife Service today announced their decision not to identify the Northwest Atlantic population of the leatherback turtle as a distinct population segment and to list it as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. In making the 12-month finding, which responds to a petition filed by the Bluewater [...]

The Interior Department today announced the finalization of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Israeli government to support cooperation and exchanges on biodiversity conservation, protected areas, and protection of cultural and historical heritage. DOI noted that the MOU provides a framework to address challenges including protecting ecosystems, wildlife trafficking, and managing parks and cultural sites, and that [...]

NOAA today announced a new agreement with the Navy to jointly expand the development and operations of unmanned maritime systems in U.S. and international waters, noting that the partnership “will enable NOAA to leverage the Navy’s expertise, infrastructure, best practices and training to accelerate its science, service and stewardship mission.” Assistant Sec. of Commerce for Oceans and [...]