Media Coverage

Environment America today announced the release of a new report on “New Life for the Ocean: How Marine Protections Keep Our Waters Wild.”  Conducted by the organization’s Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group, the study includes recommendations that, among other things, call on the federal and state governments to adopt goals to protect at least […]

The State Department today announced that the Shipping Coordinating Committee will hold a public meeting on Thursday, Apr. 29 in preparation for the 103rd session of the International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee, to be held remotely on May 5-14.  Agenda items include a regulatory scoping exercise for the use of maritime autonomous surface ships, measures to enhance maritime

In an Executive Order on “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad” issued today, President Biden directed a series of actions to “pursue action at home and abroad in order to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of that crisis and to seize the opportunity that tackling climate change presents.” Among other things, the Executive Order establishes

NOAA today announced $4.7 million in federal funding to support 12 research projects to further understanding of the economics of aquaculture and provide market information in support of domestic growth.  Grantees are required to match 50% of their funding with non-federal dollars. National Sea Grant Director Jonathan Pennock said that Sea Grant “is committed to understanding the

NOAA today announced the release of the Blue Economy Strategic Plan for 2021-2025 in an effort to provide a “roadmap for new ways to advance America’s Blue Economy and enhance a global ocean economy,” with a focus on marine transportation, ocean exploration, seafood competitiveness, tourism and recreation, and coastal resilience. The Strategic Plan, which was developed

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on Tuesday held a confirmation hearing to consider the nomination of Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) to serve as Secretary of Commerce. During opening remarks, Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) noted the importance of vital policy matters including growing the marine economy through the promotion of transportation, seafood, shipbuilding, and technological innovation

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that it is extending the comment period through Wednesday, Feb. 24 on the Interagency Working Group on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing’s Work Plan.  While comments were originally due by Jan. 15, NMFS is extending the comment period in response to public requests for additional time to provide input. The Work

NOAA today announced that the Hydrographic Services Review Panel will hold a virtual public meeting on March 3-4. Agenda items include implementation of the national strategy for ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization, ongoing National Spatial Reference System modernization, Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System sensor enhancements and expansion, NOAA-University of New Hampshire Joint Hydrographic Center Cooperative Agreement projects, the new

In a Secretarial Order issued today, Acting Interior Secretary Scott de la Vega suspended delegated authorities from taking a range of actions for 60 days including the issuance of any offshore fossil fuel authorization, publication of any Federal Register notices, and granting of rights of way, easements, or conveyances of property or interests in property. The Order authorizes

In an Executive Order on “Protecting the Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis” issued today, President Biden directed federal entities to (1) immediately review (and where appropriate, take action to address) federal actions taken in the last 4 years that conflict with national objectives surrounding science-based decisions, improving public health