The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The NOAA focuses on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere.
The functions of the NOAA include:
- warning dangerous weather;
- charting seas and skies;
- guiding the use and protection of ocean and coastal resources;
- conducting research to improve understanding and stewardship of the environment.
The NOAA maintains a presence in every state and acts as an international leader on scientific and environmental matters.
The NOAA organizations include:
- National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service;
- National Marine Fisheries Service;
- National Ocean Service;
- National Weather Service;
- Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; and
- Office of Program Planning and Integration;
The NOAA Fisheries Service is dedicated to the stewardship of living marine resources through science-based conservation and management, and the promotion of healthy ecosystems. The NOAA’s National Ocean Service (NOS) is the nation’s premier science agency for oceans and coasts. The National Ocean Service keeps the U.S’s oceans and coasts safe, healthy, and productive. The Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) or “NOAA Research” provides the research foundation for understanding the complex systems that support our planet. Program Planning and Integration (PPI) brings all of NOAA’s talent, resources, and capabilities together to meet the needs of national and regional stakeholders in a unified manner.
The NOAA plays several specific roles in society and works for the benefit of the world as a whole.
The various roles the NOAA plays include:
1. A supplier of environmental information products.
2. A Provider of Environmental Stewardship Services
3. A Leader in Applied Scientific Research
The Administrator of the NOAA conducts, develops, supports, promotes, and coordinates formal and informal educational activities to enhance public awareness and understanding of ocean, coastal, great lakes, and atmospheric science and stewardship by the general public and other coastal stakeholders[i].
Pursuant to 33 USCS § 857-13, a National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere is established. The Committee must submit an annual report to the U.S. President and to Congress setting forth an assessment on a selective basis of the status of the Nation’s marine and atmospheric activities[ii].
The NOAA produces electronic navigational charts (ENCs) as one of its products under its Nautical Charting Program[iii].
Additionally, the Secretary of Commerce conducts various types of surveys to provide charts and related information for the safe navigation of marine and air commerce, to provide basic data for engineering and scientific purposes and for other commercial and industrial needs. They survey types are: hydrographic and topographic surveys; tide and current observations; geodetic-control surveys; field surveys for aeronautical charts; geomagnetic, seismological, gravity, and related geophysical measurements and investigations, and observations for the determination of variation in latitude and longitude[iv].
The Administrator of the NOAA establishes a coordinated program of ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, and atmospheric research and development, in collaboration with academic institutions and other nongovernmental entities[v].
[i] 33 USCS § 893a.
[ii] 33 USCS § 857-15.
[iii] 15 CFR 995.1.
[iv] 33 USCS § 883a.
[v] 33 USCS § 893.
