The National Oceanographic Data Center archives and disseminates historical and realtime global physical, chemical, and biological oceanographic data which contributes to research in both public health and recreation. Some of this data is available on the NODC website. The Coastal Water Temperature Guide's beach temperatures is one of the most frequently visited sites during the summer. Fisherman and recreational boaters also find our archive of coastal buoy data very useful. Other data sets including sea level, currents and waves are also available. Healthy coral reefs are representative of healthy oceans and ecosystems as well, and NODC plays a major role in the continued development and maintenance of the Coral Reef Information System (CoRIS).

Though the NOAA Central Library is a division of NODC, it has a major marine information collection that is open to the public. The Library's photographic site known as the NOAA Photo Library has photos in the public domain. The photos span centuries of time (and much of the natural world) from the center of the Earth, to the surface of the Sun.

Another division of NODC, the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC) provides for the archive of, and access to, the long-term coastal data record. NCDDC works closely with Federal, State and local agencies, academic institutions, non-profit organizations and the private sector to create a unified, long-term database of coastal data sets. In addition to researchers using the stored data, individuals, insurance companies, and lawyers request specific data concerning their needs for clients or cases. NCDDC also manages the Harmful Algal Blooms Observing System which can assist resource managers in making decisions such as closing fisheries or beaches in those areas containing high concentrations of toxic phytoplankton. Also at NCDDC, the Hypoxia Watch site uses near-real-time shipboard measurements of bottom dissolved oxygen to develop Internet advisories on anoxic and hypoxic conditions in the western and north-central Gulf of Mexico.

» Links to Health and Recreation Information in NOAA

• National Climatic Data Center - the world's largest archive of historical weather data and information.
• The NOAA Diving Program produces a useful NOAA Diving Manual. It also trains and certifies federal, state, and local employees.
• National Hurricane Center - tropical cyclone systems and forecasts.
• National Weather Service - Marine Forecasts - has links to various U.S. coast's conditions.
• National Weather Service Forecast Office, Honolulu, HI - Web site for all of ocean users, including swimmers, surfers, fishermen and recreational boaters, kayak businesses, and anyone who goes to the beach.
• NWS National Centers for Environmental Prediction - links to information on hurricanes, tropical storms, aviation weather and more.
• The NOAA's Office of Coast Survey produces nautical charts, Coast Pilots and related navigational publications.
• The Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS®) - supports safe and cost-efficient navigation by providing ship masters and pilots with accurate real-time information required to avoid groundings and collisions.
• NOAA's Coral Health and Monitoring Program - information source for the public and researchers.
• NOAA's Coral Reef Information System (CoRIS) - a single point of access to NOAA coral reef information and data products.
• Office of Coast Survey, Automated Wreck and Obstruction Information System - survey planning tool, info source for fishermen, divers, marine archaeologists and historians.
• National Ocean Service (NOS) Tides Online - info source for fishermen, divers, crabbers, boaters.
• National Ocean Service (NOS) US Bathymetric & Fishing Maps - info source for fishermen, divers, boaters.
• CoastWatch - satellite imagery source for fishermen, sailors, students and researchers. Routinely processes satellite data in near real-time, which means that images are just a few hours old.
• National Ocean Service (NOS) National Marine Sanctuaries - includes events that take place in sanctuaries throughout the year.
• Marine Protected Areas - provides information on marine protected areas (MPAs) as required by Executive Order 13158. It is jointly managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of the Interior.

» NODC Resources

- Beach Temperatures
- Coastal Buoy Data
- Data types and products
- Archive of Original Data
- World Ocean Database
- CD-ROMs/DVDs
- Publications

Please do not pick up living horseshoe crabs by the tail. It could injure the crab. This is just an empty carapace.