NOAA Researchers Find Massive Rare Sponge Mounds Off California

5/9/2022 - In October 2020, Ocean Exploration Trust’s E/V Nautilus crew discovered something extraordinary—a potential deep-sea sponge reef within the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary! The vast mounds of glass sponges and their skeletons are rarely seen anywhere in the world. The discovery is even more unexpected considering the area is generally well explored. The sponge… SEE MORE
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CSIRO_ScienceImage_2901_Oyster_Farming.jpg

Global Study Sheds Light on Benefits of Shellfish and Seaweed Aquaculture

2/15/2022 - Shellfish and seaweed farms provide sustainable seafood and can improve the surrounding environment. Farmed oysters, mussels, and other bivalve shellfish are some of the most environmentally sustainable sources of animal protein. Worth an estimated $350 million in 2017, shellfish are the most valuable marine seafood produced via aquaculture in the… SEE MORE
https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov

NOAA Releases 2022 Hydrographic Survey Season Plans

2/11/2022 - NOAA hydrographic survey ships and contractors are preparing for the 2022 hydrographic survey season in U.S. coastal waters and beyond. The ships collect bathymetric data (i.e. map the seafloor) to support nautical charting, modeling, and research, but also collect other environmental data to support a variety of ecosystem sciences. NOAA considers hydrographic survey requests… SEE MORE