Science & Data

Science & Data

NOAA Fisheries' science-based conservation and management of sustainable fisheries, marine mammals, endangered species, and their habitats have become global models for marine stewardship and sustainability.

Our research surveys provide data critical to the stewardship of our nation's ocean resources and their habitat. For 150 years, our scientists and partners have collected survey data to understand current and changing ocean conditions and monitor marine life. The insights we gain are the heart of our science-based conservation and management. 

Effective science-based conservation and management are essential to ensuring sustainable domestic seafood production, maintaining and enhancing fishing opportunities, recovering protected species, and safeguarding ecosystem health.

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Featured News

Kelp Farms and Marine Life Co-Exist in Southeast Alaska

Scientists teamed up to investigate how kelp farms may provide novel habitat for fish and invertebrate species.
September 16, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Aerial view of a kelp farm. A small skiff tends a buoy. Several pink buoys float on the surface with lines of kelp. A forested shoreline on the left and mountains in the distance. NOAA Fisheries and Sea Quester Farms partnered up to evaluate if kelp farms provide habitat for marine life in Alaska. Pictured here is one of Sea Quester’s farms in southeast Alaska near Juneau. Credit: Hatch Blue, Alaska Mariculture Cluster

2026 Pacific Coral Surveys Complete

Scientists surveyed coral reef conditions in American Samoa and the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument.
September 15, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
A scuba diver swims horizontally above a vibrant pink and purple coral reef, holding a camera to photograph the seabed. A scientist captures thousands of digital images to build a 3-D reef model during the 2026 National Coral Reef Monitoring Program survey at Swains Island. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.

Knocking for Help: A Pelican’s Unlikely Rescue

It is not every day a patient knocks directly on the doctor's door, but for one clever seabird, desperate times called for an unusually precise house call.
September 15, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Southeast
A brown pelican sits at the top of the stairs at the entrance to a brick building, with a sign in the foreground identifying it as the NOAA Panama City Laboratory A brown pelican waits at the main door of NOAA’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center Panama City Laboratory. Credit: Ty Jones, facility manager
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Science Blogs

Evaluating Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Model Outputs as an Undergraduate Intern at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Field Fresh Blog: Science in Motion

Ocean acidification from an interns viewpoint.
September 16, 2026 - Science Blog ,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Thumbs up at computer station, intern smiling at colleague. Me at my desk working through code to produce figures for my presentation. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Grace Davis

Exploring the Colors of the Ocean: My NOAA Hollings Internship

Field Fresh Blog: Science in Motion

Our intern, Grace Davis talks about her time at the center.
September 14, 2026 - Science Blog ,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
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Navigating the Skies and Seas: A Drone Pilot's Perspective on Sperm Whales

Evaluating Impacts of Multiple Stressors on Gulf Whales and Dolphins

Dr. Melissa Cook describes how a team used drones to study endangered sperm whales in the Gulf of America.
August 24, 2026 - Survey ,
Southeast
The bow, drone deck and flying bridge of NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter.
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