A blueprint for establishing a national system of marine protected areas (MPAs) was finalized on Nov. 19, establishing a more efficient and effective approach to conservation of the nation's important natural and cultural marine resources....

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Sonar, short for Sound Navigation and Ranging, is helpful for exploring and mapping the ocean because sound waves travel farther in the water than do radar and light waves.

NOAA scientists primarily use sonar to develop nautical charts, locate underwater hazards to navigation, search for and map objects on the sea floor such as shipwrecks, and map the sea floor itself.

There are two types of sonar—active and passive.

Active sonar transducers* emit an acoustic signal or pulse of sound into the water. If an object is in the path of the sound pulse, the sound bounces off the object and returns an “echo” to the sonar transducer. If the transducer is equipped with the ability to receive signals, it measures the strength of the signal. By determining the time between the emission of the sound pulse and its reception, the transducer can determine the range and orientation of the object.

*A transducer is an electrical device that transforms energy from one form to another. Examples are microphones, antenna, and speakers.

Passive sonar systems are used primarily to detect noise from marine objects (such as submarines or ships) and marine animals like whales. Unlike active sonar, passive sonar does not emit its own signal, which is an advantage for military vessels that do not want to be found or for scientific missions that concentrate on quietly “listening” to the ocean. Rather, it only detects sound waves coming towards it. Passive sonar cannot measure the range of an object unless it is used in conjunction with other passive listening devices. Multiple passive sonar devices may allow for triangulation of a sound source.

For more information:
Surveys and Wrecks, Office of Coast Survey
Understanding Ocean Acoustics, NOAA Ocean Explorer
Sound in the Sea Gallery, NOAA Ocean Explorer
Acoustic Monitoring, NOAA Vents Program
Sonar, NOAA Ocean Explorer
Using Sonar to Detect Sea Turtles, NOS Weekly News

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Coral reefs are home to millions of species. Hidden beneath the ocean waters, coral reefs teem with life. Fish, corals, lobsters, clams, seahorses, sponges, and sea turtles are only a few of the thousands of creatures that rely on reefs for their survival.

Coral reefs are also living museums and reflect thousands of years of history. Many U.S. coral reefs were alive and thriving centuries before the European colonization of the nearby shores. Some reefs are even older than our old-growth redwood forests. They are an integral part of many cultures and our natural heritage.

Today, these important habitats are threatened by a range of human activities. Many of the world’s reefs have already been destroyed or severely damaged by water pollution, overfishing and destructive fishing practices, disease, global climate change, and ship groundings. However, we can still protect and preserve our remaining reefs by acting now.

For More Information:
U.S. Coral Reef Task Force
Coral Reef Information System
International Year of the Reef
Coral Reef Conservation Program
Coral Health and Monitoring Program
Coral resources (for students and teachers)

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Hydrography is the science that deals with the measurement and description of the physical features of bodies of water and the land areas that are affected by those bodies of water.

A hydrographic survey may be conducted to support a variety of activities: nautical charting, port and harbor maintenance (dredging), coastal engineering (beach erosion and replenishment studies), coastal zone management, and offshore resource development.

The one data type common to all hydrographic surveys is water depth. Of additional concern to most surveys is the nature of the sea-floor material (i.e., sand, mud, rock) due to its implications for anchoring, dredging, structure construction, pipeline and cable routing, and fisheries habitat.

The primary use of hydrographic surveys is for nautical charting.

For more information:
Office of Coast Survey
Sea-floor Mapping, NOS Education


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NOAA has released final revised management plans, regulations, and a joint final environmental impact statement for Cordell Bank, Gulf of the Farallones, and Monterey Bay national marine sanctuaries. The result of more than seven years of study, planning and extensive public input....

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The NOS International Program Office recently wrapped up meetings with officials from Trinidad and Tobago, the latest in a series of talks aimed at providing technical assistance to Caribbean countries aimed at developing comprehensive plans to reduce land-based sources of pollution to the marine environment....

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The head of the National Ocean Service addressed city leaders, scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs this week at the first-ever Coastal Cities Summit in St. Pete Beach, Fla. At the three-day summit, he discussed NOAA coastal management initiatives in the context of sobering challenges....

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The U.S. economy is very dependent on the health of the ocean. Consider the following facts: Through the fishing and boating industry, tourism and recreation, and ocean transport, one out of six jobs in the U.S. is marine-related.

Trade across the ocean contributes over $700 billion annually to the U.S. gross domestic product while employing 13 million Americans. Coastal and marine waters support over 28 million jobs, while providing tourist destinations for 189 million Americans each year. U.S. consumers spend over $55 billion for fishery products annually.

For more information:
NOAA's Coastal and Ocean Resource Economics

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You may be surprised to learn that the National Ocean Service is responsible for surveying in support of the nation's airports and airspace.

NOAA has played a role in our nation's aviation industry since the early 1900s. Today, the National Geodetic Survey (part of NOS) administers the Aeronautical Survey Program. This program provides highly accurate position, height, and orientation information needed for safe air navigation.

NGS has been performing aeronautical surveys since the 1920s. These surveys provide critical information about airport features and about obstructions and aids to navigation. The Federal Aviation Administration uses this information to establish airport approach and departure procedures, determine maximum takeoff weights, update aeronautical publications, and conduct airport planning and construction studies.

 

For more information:

National Geodetic Survey (NGS)
NGS Aeronautical Survey Program
NGS Aeronautical Survey Program photo gallery (airports around the nation)
Are We Cleared To Land? The Wright Brothers Help NOAA Show The Way

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A team of NOS forensic experts recently used DNA analysis to find that four small carvings were made of moose bone. The test results indicate that the carvings do not violate U.S. law, saving NOAA agents, attorneys, and the defendant time and money....

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