NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a division of the Department of Commerce, is the federal agency responsible for the stewardship of the nation's living marine resources and their habitat. NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service is responsible for the management, conservation and protection of living marine resources within the United States' Exclusive Economic Zone (water three to 200 miles offshore). Using the tools provided by the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service assesses and predicts the status of fish stocks, ensures compliance with fisheries regulations and works to reduce wasteful fishing practices. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, the NMFS works to recover protected marine species (i.e. whales, turtles) without unnecessarily impeding economic and recreational opportunities. With the help of the six regional offices and eight councils, NMFS is able to work with communities on fishery management issues. The Service promotes sustainable fisheries and and prevention of lost economic potential associated with over fishing, declining species and degraded habitats.

NMFS is incorporating climate considerations into actions by providing technical guidance on how to incorporate sea level rise information into Northeast region tidal marsh restoration projects, and on-the-ground protection and restoration projects to build habitat resiliency. They are building capacity for NOAA and other partners through 'Habitat Conservation in a Changing Climate' workshops, and vulnerability assessment trainings, as well as engaging in interagency efforts to ensure habitat conservation is included in climate adaptation strategies.

Sectors:

• Biodiversity and ecosystems
• Coastal
• Fish and fisheries
• Oceans

Related Organizations:

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Related Resources:

• NOAA Habitat Conservation Project Grants
• Flood Frequency Estimates for New England River Restoration Projects: Considering Climate Change in Project Design
• Planning for Sea Level Rise in the Northeast: Considerations for the Implementation of Tidal Wetland Habitat Restoration Projects
• NOAA Fisheries Climate Science Strategy
• NOAA Fisheries Climate Science Strategy Regional Action Plans

Related Users:

• Janine Harris