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National Ocean Council Blog

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The Nation’s First Ocean Plans

Today, the National Ocean Council is releasing the Nation’s first ocean plans—a historic collaboration among states, tribes, Federal agencies, and ocean stakeholders.
December 7, 2016 at 9:02 AM ET by Christy Goldfuss, John P. Holdren

Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body Releases its Draft Regional Ocean Action Plan for Public Comment

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body has released the Nation’s second, draft marine plan for public comment.
July 13, 2016 at 10:26 AM ET by Jennifer Lee, Deerin Babb-Brott

Award-winning “Trash Talk” Video Explains Marine Debris and What We Can Do About It

NOAA video highlights the challenge of marine debris—a topic of ongoing action under the National Ocean Policy.
July 11, 2016 at 9:07 AM ET by Jennifer Lee

Northeast Releases the Nation’s First Draft Regional Marine Plan

Today, the Northeast Regional Planning Body released a draft of the Nation’s first regional marine plan for public comment.
May 25, 2016 at 12:12 PM ET by Beth Kerttula

Tackling Harmful Algal Blooms

Earlier this year, an interagency working group released a research plan and action strategy for combating harmful algal blooms.
March 15, 2016 at 10:00 AM ET by W. Russell Callender, Joel Beauvais, and Beth Kerttula

Releasing New Guidance Under the National Ocean Policy

Announcing the release of the National Ocean Council's 2016 Annual Work Plan and Guidance on Marine Plans.
February 12, 2016 at 10:43 AM ET by Beth Kerttula

State, Tribal, and Local Leaders Take Steps to Advance National Ocean Policy

Recently, State, tribal, and local leaders charged with coordinating national ocean policies across jurisdictions reconvened at the White House.
November 2, 2015 at 4:08 PM ET by Beth Kerttula

Celebrating Five Years of the National Ocean Policy

This week marks the anniversary of a significant milestone in the journey to improve ocean governance in the United States: five years ago, on July 19, 2010, President Obama signed an Executive Order creating the first National Ocean Policy and a Federal interagency National Ocean Council (NOC), which we co-chair, to implement it.
July 22, 2015 at 9:50 AM ET by Christy Goldfuss and John Holdren

Highlighting our National Ocean Policy

Since President Obama created America’s first National Ocean Policy in 2010, Federal agencies have made tremendous progress to meet its objectives – working every day with communities across the Nation and stakeholders on the ground to improve the health of our oceans, support our economy, bolster safety and security, and better understand how our activities impact the ocean.
March 27, 2015 at 1:48 PM ET by Beth Kerttula

A Guide for Regional Marine Planning

The National Ocean Council today released a Marine Planning Handbook to support the efforts of regions that choose to engage marine industries, stakeholders, the public, and government to advance their economic development and conservation priorities.
July 19, 2013 at 4:23 PM ET by Deerin Babb-Brott

A Snapshot of Our Nation’s Scientific Ocean Vessels

Released today, the Federal Oceanographic Fleet Status Report provides a comprehensive review of the Nation’s fleet of oceanographic survey and research vessels. These 47 ships are part of our Nation’s critical infrastructure, collecting vital information to help protect lives and property from marine hazards, measure and project global climate change and ocean acidification, enhance safety and security, and more.
May 28, 2013 at 12:23 PM ET by Deerin Babb-Brott

What People Are Saying About the Oceans Plan

Today, the Obama Administration released its plan for translating the National Ocean Policy into on-the-ground actions to benefit the American people. Here is what people are saying about the plan.
April 16, 2013 at 2:06 PM ET by

Admiral James D. Watkins, USN (ret.) (1927 – 2012) – Champion of Ocean Policy

We note with much regret the passing of Admiral James D. Watkins on Thursday.
July 30, 2012 at 1:33 PM ET by John P. Holdren and Nancy Sutley

Valuable Support for Maritime Industries

The Director of Business Development for a global underwater services company explains how the National Ocean Policy provides the needed framework to stimulate job creation and economic growth.
May 16, 2012 at 12:55 PM ET by Timothy W. Janaitis

Law of the Sea Convention Update

President Obama has stated that the United States will promote the stewardship and sustainable use of the oceans in several ways including by cooperating and exercising leadership at the international level and pursuing U.S. accession to the Law of the Sea Convention.
March 23, 2012 at 5:36 PM ET by Jerry Miller

Supporting science-based decision-making in the Arctic Region

The National Ocean Council is making available a wealth of data for successful planning and management in the Arctic.
March 23, 2012 at 10:30 AM ET by Deerin Babb-Brott

A New Leader in Protecting our Oceans and Coasts

The National Ocean Council welcomes its Director, Deerin Babb-Brott.
March 8, 2012 at 5:30 PM ET by Deerin Babb-Brott

Another Step Toward Ocean Stewardship

The NOC announces it will formally include Regional Fishery Management Councils in regionally based coastal and marine spatial planning.
February 1, 2012 at 9:30 AM ET by Michael Weiss

Praise for the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan

See what others are saying about the National Ocean Council's release of the draft Implementation Plan, now open to public comments.
January 12, 2012 at 3:30 PM ET by Michael Weiss

A New Tool for Ocean Planners

See what members of the ocean and coastal community have to say about the new tool.
December 6, 2011 at 12:45 PM ET by Jay Jensen

Opening Our Oceans With Data.Gov

Two important initiatives of the Obama Administration--the first-ever National Ocean Policy and the creation of Data.gov--come together to make Federal ocean and coastal planning data more accessible to the American people.
December 6, 2011 at 10:24 AM ET by John P. Holdren and Aneesh Chopra

In Support of President Obama’s National Ocean Policy

Three members of the National Ocean Council's Governance Coordinating Committee lend their voices in support of the National Ocean Policy.
October 4, 2011 at 2:05 PM ET by Kristin Jacobs, Dee Freeman, and Kevin Ranker

The Truth about the National Ocean Policy

October 4, 2011 at 9:00 AM ET by Taryn Tuss

Protecting Marine Life, Protecting Ourselves

Actress Hayden Panettiere weighs in on President Obama's commitment to protecting our world's great whales, oceans, and sea life.
September 15, 2011 at 7:00 PM ET by Hayden Panettiere

Nominate Yourself or Someone You Know for the National Ocean Council's Advisory Committee

We are pleased to announce a different sort of opportunity to become involved in the National Ocean Council's work. The Council's formal advisory committee, the Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP), is seeking nominations for members.
September 6, 2011 at 1:14 PM ET by Jay Jensen and Steve Fetter

Sound Ocean Policy Builds the Marine Economy

Federal ocean policy can only work if it is sensible and helps build our economy. Rhode Island is unique, but aspects of our experience can help inform the President and the federal agencies as the national ocean policy takes shape. When it comes to the ocean and our public waters, it is critical that we get it right the first time, and we are grateful to the Obama Administration for recognizing its importance.
July 28, 2011 at 3:27 PM ET by Michael Keyworth

Happy Anniversary, National Ocean Policy

The State of New York appreciates having a well-drafted national roadmap to follow in the National Ocean Policy. As with all good policy, EO 13547 provides the right mix of inspiration and direction, while laying an inclusive foundation that provides room for everyone to participate. We wish the National Ocean Policy a very happy anniversary, and many more.
July 25, 2011 at 11:16 AM ET by George Stafford

The Ocean Affects All of Us Every Day

Now, one year after President Obama created the first comprehensive policy for the stewardship of the oceans, our coasts, and the Great Lakes, is a good time to reflect on the value of this national effort, and to take stock of the progress we have made in advancing ocean stewardship. Successful ocean stewardship requires action and engagement from all levels of government, all stakeholders, and all Americans. While we have much work ahead of us, we have the highest confidence that together we can ensure healthy and productive ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources, and a healthy and prosperous America.
July 20, 2011 at 2:55 PM ET by Jay Jensen and Steve Fetter

Joining Forces for Our Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes

Last week, the National Ocean Council brought together more than 500 Federal, state, tribal, and local government representatives, indigenous community leaders, and other stakeholders and members of the public from across the country for a National Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP) Workshop in Washington, DC.
July 1, 2011 at 2:31 PM ET by Andy Lipsky

Ocean Stewardship Built By You, For You

On Monday, Chair Sutley traveled to Providence, Rhode Island to hear from the communities that depend on our oceans and coasts about the actions they would like to see put in place to implement the President's National Ocean Policy.
June 8, 2011 at 7:04 PM ET by Nancy Sutley