Media Coverage

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service on today announced that the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a hybrid virtual and in-person public meeting on June 21-25 in Key West, FL. On Tuesday, June 22, the Council’s Habitat Protection and Restoration Committee will hold a discussion session on Section 216(c) of President Biden’s Jan. 27, 2021 Executive Order on “Tackling the Climate Crisis […]

In response to a request by the Alaska Oil & Gas Association, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service today announced that it is seeking comments by Thursday, July 1 on its proposed issuance of regulations authorizing over a 5-year period the nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take by harassment of small numbers of polar bears and Pacific walruses during oil and

The United Nations today held a “High-Level Thematic Debate in Support of SDG14: Life Below Water,” an event intended to generate momentum toward the delayed UN Conference on the Ocean that will be held at a yet-to-be-determined future date. Recurring themes during the event included support for the global effort to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030,

President Biden today proclaimed June 2021 as National Ocean Month, noting the ocean’s role as an engine for economic activity, source of food, destination for recreational activity, and regulator of weather patterns and climate, and pledging to “find innovative ways to conserve, protect, and restore our ocean.” Biden cited his administration’s dedication to “supporting resilient ocean

NOAA’s National Ocean Service today announced that the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Monday, June 14.  The meeting, which will include three public comment periods, will focus on the Committee Recommendations Report to NOAA and Interagency Ocean Observation Committee leadership, the administration’s FY 2022 budget request, coastal resilience, and planning for the Fall

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced an agreement with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to implement a programmatic mitigation approach to address the impacts of offshore wind energy development on NMFS scientific surveys.  NOAA and BOEM will engage regional partners and stakeholders to complete an implementation strategy within 1 year, with the strategy to include commitments

The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Gulf of Mexico Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, June 15, with meeting objectives including establishment of a common understanding of the Task Force’s role and future activities, an update on recent state activities, and opportunities for public input. Agenda items include an overview

The U.S. Senate today approved by voice vote the confirmation of Eric Lander to serve as Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.  Upon his confirmation, Lander said that “America’s future depends on science and technology like never before,” adding that OSTP’s mission is to “maximize the impact of science and technology to advance health,

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that it is seeking nominations by Thursday, June 24 from individuals interested in being considered for membership on the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council. Appointees will be selected from among, but not limited to, the following national interest groups: state fish and wildlife resource management agencies, saltwater and freshwater recreational

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council will hold a virtual public meeting on June 8-12.  On Thursday, June 10, the Committee’s Fishing Industry Advisory Committee will discuss topics including wind energy offshore Hawaii and offshore aquaculture, and on Friday, June 11 the Council’s Hawaii Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan Advisory Panel will discuss items including offshore