Our Programs
NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) oversees six major programs within its six divisions. Each program has a national reach but is designed to account for local resources and needs.
Coastal Management
The Coastal Management Program is a partnership between OCRM and 34 coastal and Great Lakes states, territories and commonwealths. The partnership works to preserve, protect, develop and, where possible, restore and enhance the nation's coastal zone resources.
Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET)
A partnership of OCRM and the University of New Hampshire, CICEET is a leader in transforming the best available science into practical, innovative tools that coastal resource managers need to address priority challenges such as development, rising sea levels, pollution, and habitat restoration.
Coral Reef Conservation
The Coral Reef Conservation Program supports effective management and sound science to preserve, sustain and restore valuable coral reef ecosystems.
Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRS)
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) is a NOAA-state partnership that oversees 27 research reserves which have been established for the purpose of research, education and coastal stewardship.
Land Acquisition (CELCP)
The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) protects coastal and estuarine lands considered important for their conservation, recreation, ecologic, historic or aesthetic values by providing funding to purchase significant coastal and estuarine lands, or conservation easements on these lands, from willing sellers.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
The National Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Center uses science, technology and training to plan, manage, and evaluate the nation’s system of marine protected areas that include not only marine ecosystems, but also an array of cultural and historical artifacts found underneath the surface, including shipwrecks.
Nonpoint Pollution
The Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program encourages coordination between state coastal zone managers and water quality experts to reduce polluted runoff in the coastal zone.