NOAA's National Ocean Service

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Every June, our country observes National Ocean Month. Here at NOS, we celebrate throughout the month on our website and social media channels by sharing videos, facts, trivia, and more! Our virtual celebration highlights the critical role our ocean plays, the relationship we share with it, and the steps we can take to protect and conserve it. Whether you live along a coast, on a farm, in a city, or on top of a mountain, this amazing body of water is a part of your life. Although there are five named oceans divided by region, there is only one global ocean, and we are all connected to it.

A container ship enters the shipping channel at Port Miami

Marine Economy Continues to Power American Prosperity

America’s marine economy contributed about $361 billion of the nation’s gross domestic product in 2020. That is according to the most current results of the annual Marine Economy Satellite Account released today by two Department of Commerce agencies, NOAA and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. These numbers are from the first year of the coronavirus pandemic and represent a 5.8%, or $23 billion, reduction in real terms (adjusted for inflation) from 2019, outpacing the general economy’s decline of 3.4%.

Aerial view of Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility. (U.S. Navy/Naval Base Kitsap)

Marine Navigation System to Increase Safety, Commerce in Northwest

Mariners can breathe a little easier when sailing in and around Naval Base Kitsap in Washington state. The base is now fitted with a NOAA system that helps ensure safe and efficient marine navigation. The technology is part of a nationwide network called Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System, or PORTS^Ⓡ. Kitsap PORTS is the 37th system in this network of precision marine navigation sensors. The sensors track oceanographic and meteorological conditions as they unfold around Naval Base Kitsap.

An octopus, sea star, bivalves and dozens of cup coral all share the same overhang in an area adjacent to the Hudson Canyon off the coast of New York and New Jersey.

NOAA Begins Process to Potentially Protect Waters Off New York, New Jersey

NOAA is seeking public comment on potentially designating a new national marine sanctuary in Hudson Canyon off the coast of New York and New Jersey. A sanctuary designation would help conserve the area’s rich marine wildlife and habitats, promote sustainable economic activities and create new opportunities for scientific research, ocean education and recreation.

An aerial drone photo of the Mississippi River near Vicksburg,

NOAA forecasts summer 'dead zone' of nearly 5.4K square miles in Gulf of Mexico

NOAA is forecasting a summer “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico that will be approximately 5,364 square miles, making it about average for the 35-year history of the summertime dead zone measurements in the region. The forecast is lower than last year’s measured size and slightly lower than the five-year average measured size of 5,380 square miles.

Podcast: Surveying in the Great Lakes

Keeping our marine transportation system moving safely and efficiently through our busy national waterways depends upon hydrography — the science that measures and describes the physical features of bodies of water through a process called surveying. In this episode, hear how and why this work is done from two NOAA experts who talk about ongoing hydrographic survey missions within the Great Lakes.

Summer High Tide Bulletin

There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. View our bulletin to see when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between June and August 2022.

50 years of ocean & coastal conservation

a humpback whale tale rising out of ocean

In 1972, in response to growing public concern about the state of our environment, Congress enacted banner legislation designed to protect our nation’s ocean and coasts. The legislation shaped our past 50 years and will continue to shape the future. Learn more and find out how you can help.

Around the Ocean Service

Testing Oil Detection Technologies with a Collaborative Research Team
response and restoration
Low to Moderate Red Tide Bloom Predicted for Gulf of Maine in 2022
coastal ocean science
Modeling Shows Nitrogen Reductions Have Decreased Hypoxia in Chesapeake Bay
coastal ocean science
Microplastics for Dinner? A Story About Picky Eaters
marine debris
Lowest and Highest Astronomical Tide Calculations are Changing
tides and currents
Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper Expanded to the Entire Great Lakes
coastal management
Understanding Year-Round Whale Presence by Listening Closely
sanctuaries
U.S. IOOS Advisory Committee Meets, Welcomes New Members
ocean observing
Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change: A Makah Tribal Leader Seeks Solutions to an Ocean Out of Balance
sanctuaries

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2022 Sea Level Rise Report: Guide Now Available

tides and currents

nautical charts

harmful algal blooms

sea level
rise

hurricane response

Education
Resources

National Ocean Month