2015 Press Releases

• Dec. 29, 2015

  New NOAA report highlights economic impact of recreation in North Central California national marine sanctuaries.

• Dec. 03, 2015

  NOAA and University of Hawaii archaeologists today released rare images of a U.S. Navy airplane sunk during the opening minutes of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on Oahu on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941. The attack led to the United States' entry into World War II.

• Nov. 18, 2015

  Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Park Service (NPS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cuba’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment (CITMA).

• Oct. 05, 2015

  During the 2015 Our Ocean Conference in Valparaiso, Chile, President Barack Obama today announced that, for the first time since 2000, two new national marine sanctuaries have been identified by NOAA for possible designation under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. NOAA is now seeking comment on the proposals.

• Sept. 4, 2015

  Trained volunteers and research partners recently conducted fish surveys and removed 317 lionfish at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico.

• Aug. 31, 2015

  On Sunday, August 30, teams from NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, began a survey of the historic wreck of Diamond Shoal Lightship No. 71, the only American lightship to be sunk by enemy action during World War I.

• Aug. 28, 2015

  NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is soliciting public and stakeholder comment on a management plan review for Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, located off the Central California coast.

• July 23, 2015

  NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has selected four graduate students as recipients of the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship, representing graduate-level areas of study such as marine biology, oceanography and maritime archaeology.

• June 22, 2015

  Anglers spent approximately $156 million on saltwater recreational fishing in California's four national marine sanctuaries on average, which generated more than $200 million in annual economic output and supported nearly 1,400 jobs, according to a new NOAA report released today. The peer-reviewed report cited data ranging from 2010-2012, the most recent years for which this data is available, from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

• June 9, 2015

  The expansion of Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallones national marine sanctuaries off northern California takes effect today, following a 45-day period of Congressional review. The expansion will help protect the region's marine and coastal habitats, biological resources and special ecological features.

• Apr. 16, 2015

  NOAA, working with private industry partners and the U.S. Navy, has confirmed the location and condition of the USS Independence, the lead ship of its class of light aircraft carriers that were critical during the American naval offensive in the Pacific during World War II.

• Mar. 25, 2015

  Following extensive collaboration with partners including non-governmental organizations, businesses, scientists, and other members of the community, NOAA today has announced its proposed rule for expanding the size and the focus of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary to include multiple marine species.

• Mar. 12, 2015

  Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallones national marine sanctuaries off northern California will both more than double in size following a final rule released today by NOAA.

• Mar. 3, 2015

  A coalition of government and non-profit groups today announced results from a 2014 vessel speed reduction trial incentive program in the Santa Barbara Channel to slow cargo ships down to reduce air pollution and increase protection of endangered whales.

• Feb. 25, 2015

  NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has successfully tested the integration of two different types of unmanned systems for potential use in research and management of national marine sanctuaries.

• Feb. 18, 2015

  NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries today announced the appointment of Athline Clark as NOAA’s new superintendent of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

• Feb. 3, 2015

  NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is soliciting public and stakeholder comment on a recommendation to modify the current boundaries of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in the northern Gulf of Mexico.