Ocean and Coastal Highlights

BOEM ‘opened’ the virtual Archaeological Museum in May 2019 with displays of video, detailed 3D models and mosaic maps of shipwrecks from the 19th and 20th centuries. It is a valuable teaching asset and will assist with collaborations worldwide.

Safety is BSEE’s middle name. BSEE activates the Hurricane Response Team when storms threaten offshore oil and gas facilities. The team monitors offshore operations in the Gulf and works with offshore operators and other State and Federal agencies to ensure evacuations and other operations run smoothly.

The USGS works with partners and emergency managers to provide science and tools to reduce risk, protect lives and property by improving situational awareness about extreme weather, flooding and coastal change hazards.

The Marine ARctic Ecosystem Study (MARES) was recognized with the 2019 annual Excellence in Partnering Award by the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) for its successful partnerships in advancing ocean sciences. BOEM coordinated and planned the MARES international, interagency, and public-private partnership, which was led by the design firm Stantec Inc.

The slender fish with a skinny snout can dive into sandy seabed sediments. They are a favorite food of more than 72 predators including fish, squid, seabirds, whales and other marine mammals. Their abundance is linked to many important commercial fisheries but there are critical gaps in our knowledge to help us manage them. A new report helps identify research needs.

These corals thrive in extremely cold waters, with little to no light, in a highly unpredictable, volcanically active ecosystem prone to frequent and intense storms. Research indicates that their health is integral to the exceptionally productive Aleutian marine environment. The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge provides a unique opportunity for scientists to observe and study relatively healthy and intact deep-sea coral communities.

Thousands of pounds of marine debris collects on the shores of our public lands every day. Three main types of debris impact wildlife: plastics, derelict fishing gear and derelict vessels. In addition to injuring or killing marine and coastal wildlife, it degrades habitat, can be a navigational hazard and requires continual clean up and removal.

Large quantities of rare metals and minerals are critical materials used in building new technology and electronics such as cell phones, computers and electric vehicles. Seafloor deposits may harbor important sources of these rare commodities. DOI Ocean agencies USGS and BOEM met with NOAA to discuss how best to further the strategy outlined in the report, “A Federal Strategy to Ensure Secure and Reliable Supplies of Critical Minerals.”

A web-based interactive tool for ocean mapping and planning jointly developed by BOEM and NOAA provides access to information about habitats and species, industrial activities, undersea cables, potential hazards like shipwrecks and detailed oceanographic information.

One of the largest populations of nesting leatherback sea turtles in the U.S. uses the largest continuous beach in the Virgin Islands on St. Croix in the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge. Learn more about how DOI works to conserve and protect this species.