Editor

On behalf of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the National Science Foundation today announced that comments are being sought by Thursday, March 19 on opportunities and constraints on building and sustaining partnerships in ocean science and technology.  The announcement notes that public input will help inform OSTP and Council on Environmental Quality efforts to identify opportunities […]

On behalf of the Ocean Policy Committee, Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Council on Environmental Quality, NOAA recently announced that it is seeking comments by Thursday, March 12 on the development of a National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing U.S. federal waters.  NOAA notes that public feedback will inform the Ocean Policy

On behalf of the Ocean Policy Committee, Ocean Resource Management Subcommittee, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Council on Environmental Quality, NOAA today announced that it is seeking comments by Thursday, March 12 on the permitting process for ocean research, mapping, and characterization activities.  NOAA notes that public feedback will inform the Ocean Policy Committee’s efforts to increase the

The Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean today announced that it will hold a public webinar on Thursday, Feb. 27.  The webinar will include an update on the Committee’s recent work on ocean and coastal mapping, marine debris, non-consumptive recreation, maritime commerce and navigation safety, and ocean and coastal acidification, as well as share preliminary details and feedback on

ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee to Hold Meeting The Scientific Committee for The Agreement for the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS) is set to hold its 13th Meeting on Feb. 26-28 in Cap d’Ail, France. The provisional agenda includes discussion of conservation actions, including (1) improved knowledge about the state of cetaceans;

The State Department today announced that it will hold an information session on Tuesday, Feb. 25 in Washington, DC ahead of the upcoming fourth (and possibly final) session of the United Nations Intergovernmental Conference on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, scheduled for March 23-April 4 in New York, NY. Stakeholders are invited to provide

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler traveled to Brazil this week in part to hold bilateral meetings in Brasilia with officials at Brazil’s Ministry of Environment (MMA) and National Water Agency. Wheeler called it “an honor” to be in the country “discuss these very important, cooperative issues, especially the reduction of marine litter,” adding that he is “excited about the

The Coast Guard today announced that it is seeking comments by Monday, March 16 on its draft Massachusetts-Rhode Island Port Access Route Study.  The Coast Guard previously noted that the study is needed given recent wind energy leasing activity in federal waters in the region and the potential for 7 wind farms to be constructed in the area. The draft

National Marine Fisheries Service Asst. Administrator Chris Oliver today highlighted recent U.S. meetings with Canada to address the conservation and protection of North Atlantic right whales, calling it “critical for both countries to take and sustain additional efforts to reduce right whale mortalities and serious injuries.” In the recent meetings, Oliver said that the U.S. noted

In order to “provide the public with additional time and opportunity” to provide information, the Coast Guard today announced that it is extending the comment period through Tuesday, June 30 on its preparation of an Alaskan Arctic Coast Port Access Route Study to evaluate the need for establishing vessel routing measures.  The comment period was set to expire