Editor

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced the designation of critical habitat for the Arctic subspecies of the ringed seal in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas.  NMFS also announced the designation of critical habitat for the Beringia distinct population segment of the Pacific bearded seal in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas.  Both designations are effective May 2. […]

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy today announced the release of a report on Opportunities and Actions for Ocean Science and Technology (2022-2028), which summarizes the existing Science and Technology for America’s Oceans: A Decadal Vision (2018-2028) and adds new priorities to address climate change, resilient ocean science and technology infrastructure, and a diverse and inclusive blue

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced the appointment of 7 new members to the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee.  The new members include individuals affiliated with Ocean Strategies, Inc. (Seattle, WA), Afgonak Native Corporation (Kodiak, AK), Shining Sea Fisheries Consulting, LLC (Warren, RI), Pacific Islands Fisheries Group (Kailua, HI), The Nature Conservancy (Bath, ME), and Ocean Conservancy (Washington, DC), as well as a fish

In a Declaration on a Resilient and Healthy Environment for All adopted today, representatives of the 38 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the European Union, and Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Peru, and Romania committed to intensifying efforts to address climate and the environment. Among other things, the Declaration notes the need to

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that it is seeking comments by Tuesday, May 31 on the agency’s initiation of a 5-year review for the North Pacific right whale.  The review will assess the best scientific and commercial data available to determine whether the species should be delisted or reclassified from endangered to threatened.

The U.S. Interior Dept. today announced that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will hold a wind energy lease sale on Wednesday, May 11 for two areas spanning ~110,000 acres in federal waters off North Carolina and South Carolina in the Carolina Long Bay area.  If developed, DOI said that the lease areas could generate enough electricity to power

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that comments are being sought by Friday, May 6 on a Draft Federal Survey Mitigation Strategy developed by NMFS and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in an effort to address the impacts of offshore wind energy development on NMFS surveys.  Although the Draft Strategy is initially focused on the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, NMFS

Through NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council and Interagency Working Group on Ocean Exploration and Characterization has announced that comments are being sought by Monday, May 2 on draft Strategic Priorities for Ocean Exploration and Characterization of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (see Appendices here, here, and here).  Comments are specifically sought on the thematic

During a High-Level Dialogue held in San José, Costa Rica today, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose Fernandez and Asst. Sec. of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Monica Medina pledged U.S. government support for the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR). Announced by the Presidents of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador,

The White House Council on Environmental Quality today announced the release of a report on two virtual tribal consultation sessions and written comments received from tribes regarding needs, interests, and working together on the 30×30 conservation effort. Input addressed in the summary includes areas such as the conservation and climate contributions of tribally-managed lands and waters, defining and improving