NOAA Fisheries Climate Science Strategy

Changing climate and oceans are affecting the nation’s valuable living marine resources and the people, businesses and communities that depend on them.  From warming oceans and rising seas, to droughts and ocean acidification, these impacts are expected to increase with continued changes in the planet’s climate system.

There is much at risk. Marine and coastal fisheries support over $200 billion in economic activity and 1.8 million jobs in the U.S. each year.  Coastal habitats help defend coastal communities from storms and inundation, and provide the foundation for tourism and recreation-based economies in many coastal communities.

The NOAA Fisheries Climate Science Strategy (Strategy) is part of a proactive approach to increase the production, delivery, and use of climate-related information needed to fulfill NOAA Fisheries mandates.  The Strategy identifies seven objectives which will provide decision-makers with the information they need to reduce impacts and increase resilience with changing climate and ocean conditions.

The Strategy responds to growing demands for information and tools to prepare for and respond to climate impacts on marine and coastal resources.

The Strategy is designed to be customized and implemented through Regional Action Plans that focus on building regional capacity, partners, products and services to address the seven objectives.

Implementing the Strategy is crucial to fulfilling NOAA Fisheries mission with changing climate and ocean conditions.  By increasing the production, delivery, and use of climate-related information, NOAA Fisheries and partners will help reduce impacts and increase the resilience of the nation’s valuable living marine resources and the communities that depend on them.