NOAA's National Ocean Service

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New NOAA data reveals strength of the U.S. marine economy

From 2021-2024, the marine economy added over 500,000 jobs and total wages grew by 32%.

MARINE ECONOMY

A massive layered coral colony takes up most the frame, with a diver extending their limbs for scale, taking up about 1/20th of the frame.

Colossal coral in the Mariana Islands is largest of its kind

The 14,500-square-foot Porites rus, a species of stony coral, is wider than the length of four school buses and could be more than 2,050 years old.

COASTAL SCIENCE

A yellow cylindrical hurricane glider hovers below the ocean’s surface.

Hurricane glider coordination: A 2025 retrospective

During the 2025 field season, NOAA and partners flew 79 glider missions across coastal waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of America to inform hurricane forecasting.

COASTAL SCIENCE

A large white NOAA research vessel (NOAA S 220) docked at a pier, decorated with colorful maritime signal flags. Large grey rocks form a breakwater in the foreground against green ocean water.

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.

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.

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!

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

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NOAA’s National Ocean Service

tides and currents

nautical charts

career profiles

harmful algal blooms

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