Editor

The Coast Guard today announced the availability of the Seacoast of North Carolina Port Access Route Study, which examined existing shipping routes and waterway uses to evaluate the need for establishing or changing existing vessel routing measures. Study recommendations include establishment of two Cape Fear Approach Connector Fairways and the Beaufort Inlet Connector Fairway, as well as […]

NOAA today announced the release of the 2021 Status of Stocks Report, which summarizes efforts to rebuild and recover domestic fisheries by evaluating over 450 NOAA-managed stocks, as well as an update on the Fisheries of the United States report on the economic impact of fisheries, annual seafood consumption, and fishing port productivity. Between 2020 and 2021, the number

The U.S. Interior Dept. today announced the results of a federal offshore energy lease sale covering ~110,000 acres in the Carolina Long Bay area offshore North and South Carolina, which attracted $315 million in winning bids. The lease sale included a new 20% credit for bidders committed to monetary contributions in support of offshore wind workforce training

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Council’s (MARCO) Committee on the Ocean (MACO) this week held its 4th annual Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum virtually.  This year’s event was focused on sustainable ocean ecosystems and planning for sustainable ocean economies, and included federal ocean policy updates from NOAA and White House officials regarding implementation of the America the Beautiful 30×30 conservation initiative

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Ad Hoc Marine Planning Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, May 24.  Meeting topics include offshore wind energy development (Oregon Call Areas and future lease sales off California) and NOAA Aquaculture Opportunity Areas.

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that comments are being sought by Friday, Aug. 19 on a draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy.  In conjunction with the comment period, NMFS will hold webinars on Tuesday, May 24, Tuesday, June 21, Thursday, June 30, and Tuesday, July 19. The draft Strategy includes goals for prioritizing the identification, equitable treatment, and meaningful involvement of underserved communities,

The White House Council on Environmental Quality today announced the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) release of a Request for Proposals for up to $85 million in grants this year in furtherance of the $1 billion “America the Beautiful Challenge” announced in April.  The purpose of the Challenge is to support ecosystem restoration projects through a public-private grant program that

The Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) today held a virtual meeting in which updates were provided on partner activities, congressional priorities, funding, and potential projects.  As further described below, the meeting included an update on the Biden administration’s development of a Sustainable Ocean Plan for federal waters (formal solicitation for external input expect this spring/summer). Partner

The Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today announced that it is seeking comments by Tuesday, June 28 on possible commercial wind energy leasing in ~1.16 million acres of federal waters off the south central and southern Oregon coast.  Responses to the call for information will be assessed to determine whether to schedule a

The Maritime Administration today announced the availability of funding for grants and selection criteria and application requirements for the America’s Marine Highway Program, which makes grants available to previously designated Marine Highway Projects that support the development and expansion of documented vessels or port and landside infrastructure.  Grant applications are due by Friday, June 17.