A Model for the Future
How reliable and timely predictions help protect coastal communities.
What is the value of a research reserve? While the scientific, community, and educational benefits of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System are well documented, the economic impacts can be harder to uncover. That’s why a recent economic study was undertaken. Four of the nation’s 29 national estuarine research reserve sites were involved in the initial study, showing that these reserves generate more than $165 million in annual revenue, including $56.4 million in wages and at least 1,762 jobs.
NOAA’s newly enhanced harmful algal bloom forecasts are now available to the public in real time. The forecasts are higher resolution, providing hourly observations at the individual beach level. Analysis of "red tide" algal bloom locations and reported impacts are now automated, and reports include forecasts of potential development, intensification, transport, and impacts of algal blooms.
Nicole LeBoeuf, a national leader in ocean conservation and management with more than two decades of experience at NOAA, has been appointed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo as the assistant administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management. In this capacity she will serve as director of the National Ocean Service, America’s ocean and coastal science agency. LeBoeuf, acting in this role since August 2018, also served as the deputy since December 2016.
In the early 1980’s, two shipping vessel collisions at the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge happened within weeks of each other. These accidents spurred Federal legislation leading to the development and establishment of NOAA’s first Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS®) in 1991. This July, PORTS celebrates 30 years of providing commercial vessel operators with accurate and reliable real-time environmental conditions to enhance the safety and efficiency of maritime commerce.
G20 leaders recently created a new platform to improve coral conservation and restoration outcomes around the world with a suite of superior science and technology approaches. In June, the governing body of the Global Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform elected the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the inaugural chair of the Initiative Governing Committee and the United States, represented by NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, as vice chair.
Preserved for centuries by the cold, fresh water of Lake Michigan, 36 historically significant shipwrecks are now protected within a new national marine sanctuary co-managed by NOAA and the state of Wisconsin. The 962-square mile area of Lake Michigan, named Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary, was designated in June by NOAA with widespread support from a diverse coalition of organizations and individuals at local, state, regional, and national levels.
What do harmful algal blooms, dust from the Saharan desert, and hurricanes have in common? They are all pieces of the puzzle that modeling puts together to give us the big picture when it comes to studying and understanding our ocean and coasts. In part one of this podcast, we take a deep dive into why modeling is important, what kind of data is provided, and how collaboration with stakeholders strengthens our knowledge base. In part two, we continue our conversation about how modeling supports NOAA mission areas and supports coastal communities.
The public comment period is open for the NOS Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Surveying and Mapping Activities through August 24, 2021.
coastal ocean science
nautical charts
tides and currents
