Media Coverage

NOAA today announced that it is seeking comments by Monday, May 8 on the preparation of a National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy (“National Strategy”) for the Coral Reef Conservation Program (“Program”). The Program is implemented in coastal and marine waters of Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii, Guam, Northern Mariana […]

POTUS Issues Executive Order on Modernizing Regulatory Reviews President Biden today issued an Executive Order on “Modernizing Regulatory Review” in order to “advance policies that promote the public interest and address national priorities.” Among other things, the Executive Order directs federal agencies to: Proactively engage interested or affected parties in the development of regulatory agendas

U.S. Sec. of State Antony Blinken today announced the departure of Assistant Sec. for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs and Special Envoy for Biodiversity and Water Resources Monica Medina at the end of April.  Medina, who has served in this role since Sept. 2021, will become President and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation

The Coast Guard today announced that the National Boating Safety Advisory Committee and its Subcommittees on Boats & Associated Equipment, Prevention Through People, and Strategic Planning will hold a public meeting in Annapolis, MD on May 10-12.  Agenda items include status of the national recreational boating safety survey and Coast Guard mobile application, as well as

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council today announced a proposed ~$260,000 EPA subaward to the Woodlands Conservancy in Louisiana for habitat restoration in accordance with the Gulf of Mexico Conservation Enhancement Grant Program.  Funding will specifically be used to restore and enhance resident and migratory bird habitat in St. Bernard Parish.

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that comments are now due by Thursday, Apr. 27 on its proposal rule adding species or groups of species to the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) and amending regulations to clarify the responsibilities of the importer of record, revise the definition of importer of record, require that chain of custody records

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Council’s (MARCO) Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean (MACO) will hold its 5th annual Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum in New York, NY on May 17-18.  The event will include panel discussions on ocean planning topics including climate-ocean action, offshore wind energy, conservation, ocean justice issues, and sustainable ocean economies.  Additional details will be available here in the coming

The Northeast Regional Ocean Council will hold a public meeting on Thursday, Apr. 13.  Discussion topics include Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)-funded projects, opportunities for collaboration with regional partners implementing IIJA projects related to ocean planning, ecosystem health, and coastal hazards and resilience, development of the Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative’s Integrated Science Plan for Wildlife, Habitat, and

NOAA today announced that the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force will hold a public meeting in Washington, DC on Apr. 21.  The meeting will provide a forum for discussion on coordinated planning and action among federal, state, and territorial governments and non-governmental partners. Established by Executive Order in 1998, the Task Force includes representatives of 12 federal agencies, 7

NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research today announced that the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (Board) will hold a public meeting in Silver Spring, MD on Apr. 25-26. The meeting will include discussion on the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, status of the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute, performance indicators for the national Ocean Exploration program, incentivizing data