About the National Ocean Service

In the U.S., where over half of us live along the coast and more than 78 percent of our overseas trade by volume comes and goes along our marine highways, the health of our coasts is intricately connected to the health of our nation’s economy. The National Ocean Service (NOS) translates science, tools, and services into action, to address threats to coastal areas such as climate change, population growth, port congestion, and contaminants in the environment, all working towards healthy coasts and healthy economies.

To support healthy, resilient coastal communities, NOS…

Helps build capacity and adaptation strategies for dealing with climate change and natural hazards such as hurricanes and tsunamis
Applies coastal and marine spatial planning, to balance ocean use with stewardship and conservation
Works with partners to develop and implement voluntary plans and regulatory programs to overcome coastal challenges
Provides early-warning systems, forecasts, and monitoring for threats to human health, such as harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, toxins, disease, and climate-related hazards
Prepares for, helps prevent, responds to, assesses, and cleans up oil and chemical spills

To promote sustainable, robust coastal economies, NOS…

Produces and delivers nautical charts, hydrographic surveys, and other navigational products and services
Collects real-time and long-term ocean and coastal observations and coordinates ocean and coastal observing systems
Provides surveying, positioning, and geodetic data and services for the construction, transportation, mapping, and other industries
Develops products to increase the resiliency of coastal communities and reduce damages and recovery costs in the face of a changing climate and hazardous events such as coastal storms
Conducts activities to better understand, manage, and protect ecosystems such as coral reefs, estuaries, and beaches, which generate billions of dollars in tourism, recreation, and food revenues each year

To protect the productivity and diversity of coastal and marine places, NOS…

Manages, and supports the management of, areas including national marine sanctuaries, estuarine research reserves, marine protected areas, and the coastal zone
Develops and implements strategies to protect, maintain, and restore the health and resiliency of ecosystems, including in the Arctic region and in response to climate change
Identifies, reduces, and prevents of marine debris
Works to preserve our nation’s maritime heritage
Develops ecological characterizations to meet place-based management needs and ensure that decisions are targeted and effective
Preserves our nation’s maritime heritage

NOS Vision

A nation with safe, healthy, and productive oceans and coasts

NOS Mission

To provide science-based solutions through collaborative partnerships to address evolving economic, environmental, and social pressures on our oceans and coasts.

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