NOAA proposes special designation for reintroduced steelhead salmon in Oregon's Deschutes River, seeks public comment

NOAA's Fisheries Service today proposed designating a population of hatchery-raised steelhead salmon in Oregon's Deschutes River as "experimental," which would provide legal protection to anyone who harmed the fish while otherwise acting lawfully...

NOAA Administrator welcomes new climate science report

On May 17, 2011, NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco issued the following statement about the National Research Council’s release of its fifth and final report as part of the America's Climate Choices series...

NOAA and partners explore the hidden world of the maritime Maya

NOAA-sponsored explorers are searching a wild, largely unexplored and forgotten coastline for evidence and artifacts of one of the greatest seafaring traditions of the ancient New World, where Maya traders once paddled massive dugout canoes filled with trade goods from across Mexico and Central America....

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke orders fishery enforcement penalties returned to 11 fishermen and businesses; accepts all of the Special Master's recommendations in his authority

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced today that $649,527 in fisheries enforcement penalties will be returned to 11 individuals or businesses after an independent review of their cases concluded the NOAA enforcement program had in some instances "overstepped the bounds of propriety and fairness."...

Smoke-related chemical discovered in the atmosphere could have health implications

Cigarette smoking, forest fires and woodburning can release a chemical that may be at least partly responsible for human health problems related to smoke exposure, according to a new study by NOAA researchers and their colleagues....