NOAA's National Ocean Service

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Charting the Arctic

In 2025, NOAA Ship Fairweather went farther north than ever before to help establish new maritime traffic routes, safety zones, and use areas in the U.S. Arctic waters.

CHARTING

Crew aboard a small boat operated by the Seagrove Kelp Company harvests farmed kelp from an inlet in southeast Alaska. Undated image. (Image credit: NOAA Fisheries)

New atlas informs potential Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in the Gulf of Alaska

The atlas identifies 77 locations in 10 study areas with the potential to support multiple commercial seaweed and shellfish aquaculture operations in Alaska state waters.

COASTAL SCIENCE

Photo of multiple sea stars of various colors clustered together in a tidepool.

Heartless or hopelessly romantic?

This Valentine’s Day season, you may be wondering whether undersea creatures can give their hearts away on the most romantic of holidays. While some may be seen as heartless others have more hearts than you might expect!

COASTAL SCIENCE

An aerial perspective showing a rainbow oil sheen surrounding the grounded fishing vessel Eileen Rita in open water.

Safeguarding coasts from pollution: A look back at 2025

Last year, NOAA scientists and responders supported 167 maritime emergencies, ranging from oil spills and chemical releases to grounded vessels and large-scale marine debris events.

NOAA updates Coral Reef Conservation Program website

Got corals? This website is updated with new features, content, and a fresh design. The site includes Digital Corals — a searchable resource center for data, projects, visual media, and more.

New virtual tour brings Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to you

From the comfort of anywhere, take a deeper dive into Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This immersive virtual experience provides access to the sanctuary’s mangrove ecosystem and the interactive exhibits in the Eco-Discovery Center.

Around the Ocean Service

A purposeful dive in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
SANCTUARIES
Study uncovers multidecadal drivers of Louisiana’s shrimp distributions
COASTAL SCIENCE
Office of Coast Survey: 2025 year in review
CHARTING
NOAA and partners evaluate vital Wisconsin wetlands to reduce flood risk
COASTAL MANAGEMENT

Official websites use .gov

Secure websites use HTTPS

NOAA’s National Ocean Service

tides and currents

nautical charts

career profiles

harmful algal blooms

sea level
rise