What the National Ocean Service Does - Oceana USA
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What the National Ocean Service Does

The National Ocean Service (NOS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), plays a vital role in protecting and understanding our oceans and coasts. From predicting coastal conditions and managing marine sanctuaries, to protecting coral reefs and mapping the seafloor, NOS works behind-the-scenes to keep our oceans healthy, our coastal communities resilient and our marine ecosystems thriving. 

The NOS acts as a national steward of coastal and oceanic health, turning science and data into action. Without its important work, we wouldn’t know how polluted the ocean is becoming under the surface, how climate change and sea level rise are impacting our coasts, or if marine wildlife is at risk.  

And it somehow manages to gather all this info and help balance it with our economic needs and national security! As our world continues to rapidly change, the work of the NOS becomes more essential. So, let’s take a deeper look into what the National Ocean Service does and why we should care. 

WHAT THE NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE DOES AND WHY WE SHOULD CARE

CREATE CHARTS AND MAPS

Using a combination of advanced technology, mapping techniques, and data the NOS creates maps and nautical charts that are highly accurate and reliable. Maps showcase things on land like roads and cities. While nautical charts are used for open bodies of water to show elements like water depth, underwater or hidden hazards, and best routes for vessels in highly trafficked areas. The NOS also tracks water levels, tides and currents, and measures and monitors the size and shape of the Earth. In short, it makes GPS more accurate so that captains and their ships can navigate waters and arrive safely at their destinations.  

How does this impact us? Almost everything we use, wear, or eat relies on maritime shipping. Not only does the work at NOS help ships avoid crashes, it also supports a maritime economy that sees $2.3 trillion worth of products moving in and out of U.S. ports every year. 

NATURAL DISASTER RESPONSE

When disaster strikes (or predicted to strike), the NOS is ready to spring into action, providing a broad range of expertise to support the response. From oil spills to hurricanes, it helps determine potential impacts, evaluate actual damage, and help with the recovery. During a disaster, every minute counts and without the NOS, people and animals could suffer, economies could be decimated, and our favorite beach spots could be destroyed forever. 

FORECAST OCEAN CONDITIONS

The National Ocean Service is like the ocean’s weather team, helping people plan, stay safe, and take care of the oceans. The NOS staff use specialized tools that can predict things like tsunamis, high tides that can cause flooding, and harmful algal blooms that can make people and animals sick. This information is used across a variety of industries. Fishers use it to decide when to go out onto the water. Insurance companies use it for calculating risks. Health officials depend on it to keep us from getting sick by monitoring coastal waters for containments and to respond if we do get sick.  

Weather starts in the oceans, and whether you’re in America’s heartland or on a coastline, not having access to this information will impact us all in one way or another. 

HELP MANAGE SPECIAL MARINE SPACES

Those awesome underwater places where you have the chance to spot a sea turtle or a whale? Many of those are all managed by the NOS. NOS helps manage protected areas including 18 national marine sanctuaries and 30 estuarine reserves. What makes these areas so special is that they host everything from coral reefs teeming with life, to endangered species like humpback whales! It also supports local economies—valued at $8 billion annually—because of recreational activities like fishing, diving, or beach tourism. 

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

Oceana campaigns to protect our oceans, and that means protecting NOAA. Right now, the agency is facing threats, but your voice can help. Take action today to call on your members of Congress to save NOAA and its programs that are critical to our oceans, coastal communities, and economy.