Our aerial survey team shares photos and facts from a recent survey over the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.

The Friends of the Mariana Trench extends its heartfelt thanks to the Biden-Harris administration, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, local CNMI government, and the Mariana Trench Monument Advisory Council for the successful publication of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument management plan.

NOAA Fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands released the final management plan and environmental assessment for the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument.

Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary to become 16th sanctuary in iconic system of marine protected areas.

Plan advances administration’s goal to conserve and restore 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030.

The National Aquatic eDNA Strategy is a call to action to clarify sectors where federal involvement in aquatic eDNA research can accelerate research and development for biological monitoring, improve information content, encourage partnerships, and help foster job creation in a growing industry of related goods and services.

For years, the Northern Chumash have been working to create a new national marine sanctuary that would protect these waters from offshore oil drilling and other development. If the federal government approves the designation this summer, it would be the first marine sanctuary in the U.S. to be nominated by, and named after, an Indigenous tribe.

We’re working to steward our shared waters and increase access to them, but we need to see more systemic change to address the systemic problems of colonialism and racism. We have been left out of ocean and environmental policy decisions that directly impact our lives. We want a seat at the table, with equal decision-making power.

An effort to protect 30 percent of land and waters would count some commercial fishing zones as conserved areas.

With record ocean temperatures threatening another dire summer, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and coral restoration groups are shifting their efforts to better keep up with the warming climate. The goal is clear: Find the survivors from last summer’s heat wave and focus on restoring areas where the species will have the best chance when heat strikes again.

Climate change and warming ocean temperatures are threatening the preservation of the Gullah Geechee coastal communities in the United States. NBC News’ Brie Jackson reports on how flooding, storm surges and losing wildlife could erase the distinct way of life for these descendants of slaves.

If designated, Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary would cover waters off San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara County, and last year 110,000 comments were submitted to the federal government mostly in favor of the largest boundary option.

At the ninth Our Ocean Conference (OOC) in Greece, the United States is turning ambition into action with the announcement of more than $508 million to protect our ocean by advancing marine protected areas, maritime security, the sustainable blue economy and sustainable fisheries, supporting ocean solutions to the climate crisis, and combating marine pollution.

As the first comprehensive U.S. strategy to use the power of the ocean and coasts to address and respond to the changing climate, the OCAP has furthered Administration priorities on tackling climate change, advancing equity and justice, and bolstering the U.S. economy.

The Biden administration must use the 2024 Our Ocean Conference in Greece to deliver on past ocean commitments while building toward a modern ocean conservation policy that goes beyond 30x30.

At this rate, raising the area of global ocean protection from 8% to 30% will take an additional 880 years.

The Ocean Awards Gala will further honor Leadership by recognizing people and organizations on the cutting edge of advocacy, policymaking, and exploration in the protection of our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes.

Funding will support increased tribal participation in ocean and coastal resource management.

A drive is now underway to increase protections at Papahānaumokuākea, and to establish a new national marine sanctuary.

The proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary was recognised as a Mission Blue Hope Spot yesterday. The collaboration between the Northern Chumash Tribal Council and Mission Blue highlights the importance of designating the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary by mid-2024 to permanently protect the sacred and irreplaceable ocean ecosystems.