NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) is the nation's premier science agency for oceans and coasts.
NOS delivers the tools and services needed to understand, predict, and respond to the challenges we face along America's 95,000 miles of shoreline and 3.5 million square miles of coastal, Great Lakes, and deep-ocean waters.
This vast area, home to great biological wealth, generates more than 60 percent of the nation's gross national product each year. Yet our oceans and coasts are facing unprecedented pressure from threats such as climate change, marine debris, and port congestion.
In response to these threats, NOS scientists, natural resource managers, and specialists are seeking solutions that continue to grow our nation's coastal economy while sustaining a healthy and productive environment.
In partnership with other NOAA offices; federal, state, and local agencies; industry representatives; members of the academic community; and others, the men and women of NOS focus on science, technology, innovation, and education to keep our oceans and coasts safe, healthy and productive.