Ocean and Coastal Highlights

The Watershed Partnership Initiative (WPI) helps communities reduce land-use practices that impact coral reef health in offshore areas, such as sediment-laden runoff that creates sediment plumes. Guanica Bay, is an existing WPI site in Puerto Rico. Photo: Tom Moore, NOAA.

The Non-Indigenous Aquatic Species Database helps Interior monitor and manage invasive species.

Both Interior and NOAA manage ocean and coastal resources in south Florida including National Parks, Wildlife Refuges, and National Marine Sanctuaries. In October 2011, the Interior Department hosted NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco on a visit to the Dry Tortugas National Park, which is located within a National Marine Sanctuary. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Eileen Sobeck, and Park Superintendent, Dan Kimball, provided an historical tour of Fort Jefferson and a chance to snorkel on the adjacent coral reef ecosystem.