Ocean and Coastal Highlights

New USGS-led research provides Federal, State, and commercial entities with varying storm and sea-level rise scenarios to assist with assessing risk and planning for future infrastructure.

Through genetic analysis, USGS confirmed that larval, or newly hatched, invasive grass carp are in the Maumee River, a tributary to Lake Erie.

Seabirds are good indicators of ocean ecosystem health. Since 2014, U.S. North Pacific and Arctic coastlines have witnessed seven seabird mass mortality rates, with one in the Gulf of Alaska being the largest and most extensive episode ever recorded.

The Marine Minerals Information System (MMIS) is a state-of-the art tool designed to assist decision makers in planning and managing coastal recovery and coastal resilience projects.

In order to drive continual improvement in safety performance and environmental stewardship on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, BSEE is performing both performance-based risk inspections and facility-based risk inspections.

Once occupying vast areas along the northeast coast, urban areas and development have reduced salt marshes to 10-20 percent of their original area. While these critical and productive ecosystems are foundational to many species and human economies, they are also being stressed due to rising seas and human development pressure. Learn about the various strategies for saving them.

In April, USGS and BOEM scientists headed out with NOAA on their 4th expedition to collect baseline information about coral, canyon and cold seep habitats in offshore areas between Georgia and Virginia. Their discoveries will help inform management of activities in the region.

Improve your knowledge about waterfowl behavior, migration patterns, and even the sounds they make. This on-line guide provides illustrations, full color photos and narrated videos for each species.

Pearl Harbor Day (December 7, 2018) was an epic day for the Pearl Harbor Wounded Veterans in Parks (WVIP) program which included a dive on the USS Arizona with veterans invited to the evening Eagles concert where they were featured by the band.

More than 251,000 acres have been opened to new or expanded hunting and fishing opportunities at 30 National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) across the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) NWR System in September 2018.