Media Coverage

The National Climate Task Force led by Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy today held its fourth meeting. According to a White House summary, among other things Task Force members discussed the whole-of-government effort to address climate impacts on U.S. communities, the summer weather outlook, near-term readiness plans to address weather risks, and long-term […]

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today highlighted a recent virtual meeting between U.S. and Canadian officials regarding North Atlantic right whale conservation and management efforts.  The message noted a continued high rate of mortality and an ongoing Unusual Mortality Event, as well as the birth of at least 18 North Atlantic right whale calves so far in

The Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has announced that it is seeking comments by Friday, Aug. 13 on the proposed sale of eight lease areas for commercial wind energy development in the New York Bight. BOEM specifically seeks comments on how to address the following issues through lease terms or stipulations: number, size, orientation, and location

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today announced a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to support planning and reviewing renewable energy projects in federal waters.  BOEM said that the agreement will allow USACE to provide the agency with scientific and technical resources to evaluate offshore wind projects, with an initial focus on reviewing the Coastal

The State Department today announced that the United States will partner with Palau on the Our Ocean Conference scheduled to take place early next year in Koror, Palau. The announcement called the conference “a pivotal moment to spur global ocean action,” and noted that “[i]t is critical to work together with partners around the globe to mobilize

NOAA has announced the results of the Commerce Department’s first official Marine Economy Satellite Account, which finds that the country’s ocean economy contributed ~$397 billion to U.S. GDP and supported 2.4 million jobs in 2019, and grew 4.2% compared to the overall economy’s 2.2% growth. Commerce Sec. Gina Raimondo called the marine economy “absolutely vital for building back

U.S. Sec. of State Antony Blinken today issued a statement recognizing World Ocean Day, in part noting the administration’s goal to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 and the need to “address the ocean plastic pollution crisis.”  As to 30×30, Blinken said that expanding marine protected areas “are an important part of meeting

In a letter sent to President Biden today, the Governors of Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia expressing support for federal efforts to expand offshore wind development, providing recommendations “to build on the significant momentum,” urging “continued federal leadership to prioritize the development of and provide a predictable long-term plan for the industry,” and pledging to collaborate and

The United States, United Kingdom, Chile, Costa Rica, and France today announced a new global partnership to advance the role of marine protected areas and biodiversity in tackling climate change. The goals of the International Partnership on MPAs, Biodiversity, and Climate Change are (1) for decision-makers to understand the link between the ocean, MPAs, and climate change and have the support necessary

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that the Pacific Fishery Management Council and its advisory entities will hold online public meetings on June 21-26 and June 28-30.  Items to be addressed include an update on President Biden’s Jan. 27, 2021 Executive Order on “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad” and marine planning, both of which will be addressed