DOI manages and conserves these lands and waters to protect native species and their habitats, provide recreational opportunities for the public, and ensure safe and responsible natural resource energy development. DOI scientists conduct extensive ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes research and mapping to predict, assess, and manage impacts on coastal and marine environments. In collaboration with our partners, DOI integrates effective multiple-use management from upland ecosystems to deep oceanic waters.

DOI managed areas include:

• 177 island and coastal National Wildlife Refuges
• 34 million acres in 74 coastal National Parks
• more than 35,000 miles of coastline
• 1.8 billion underwater acres of Outer Continental Shelf
• 3.6 million acres of coral reef ecosystems
• Co-manages the 89 million acre Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument

DOI Ocean and Coastal Program Retreat

The Department of the Interior held its second Ocean and Coastal Program Retreat from April 22-25 at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Conservation Training Center in Sheperdstown, WV. Over 100 DOI employees representing MMS, NPS, USGS, BLM, FWS, Office of Insular Affairs, and the Office of the Secretary were in attendance. The main goal of the 2008 DOI Ocean and Coastal Program Retreat was to collectively develop a set of recommendations for four theme areas that support the shared priorities of the Department, bureaus, and offices in regard to ocean and coastal issues. The theme areas covered were: a) collaborative uses of ocean and coastal areas; b) mapping, monitoring, and science to enhance resource management decision making; c) marine-managed areas; and d) regional alliances. The participants developed a set of recommendations that address actions that the Department and its bureaus can undertake to enhance cooperative and collaborative approaches to fulfilling DOI's ocean and coastal stewardship responsibilities.

DOI Protects the Nation's Coral Reefs

2004 DOI coral reef brochure

The Department of Interior is intimately involved in conservation of coral reefs ecosystems. With over 3.6 million acres of coral reef and adjacent submerged ecosystems under its jurisdiction, administered by the FWS, NPS, and Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), DOI is responsible for the largest holding of these fragile ecosystems in the world. Through its science and resource management bureaus, DOI conducts a wide variety of programs that directly or indirectly protect coral reefs for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.

Photo credit: Jim Maragos/USFWS

The Interior Museum is currently hosting an exhibit that includes stunning photographs of coral reefs in U.S. waters. The Interior Museum is located on the first floor of the Main Interior Building at 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington DC. The exhibit is free and open to the public and runs through August 8, 2008.

DOI Oceans calendar - upcoming ocean related meetings and events

Send calendar updates, other DOI Oceans website ideas or comments to bret_wolfe@fws.gov

Press Releases:

06/27/08	MMS Research Analyzes Marine Organisms on Southern California Offshore Platforms
02/29/08	Central Gulf of Mexico Sale 205 Nets $ 2,829,926,881 in High Bids
02/08/08	Brown Pelican to be Removed from the Endangered Species List
01/22/08	Papahanaumokuakea NM Recommended for World Heritage List
01/14/08	DOI Museum Introduces New Exhibit on Coral Reefs
Archived Press Releases

Additional Information:

Learn more about the DOI intra-agency partnership's oceans-related activities by visiting the links below:

DOI Ocean Newsletters:

• July 2008 NewsWave
• June 2008 NewsWave
• April 2008 NewsWave
• March 2008 NewsWave
• Feburary 2008 NewsWave
• January 2008 NewsWave