Northeast Michigan’s Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is estimated to contain over 200 shipwrecks. In this episode, we speak with sanctuary superintendent Jeff Gray about the significance of these world-class wrecks, the rich history they contain, and the wealth of scientific research and recreational opportunities that the sanctuary has to offer. We also dive into how NOAA, its partners, and the community of Alpena, Michigan, work together to advance the sanctuary’s mission of preservation...
Jan 14, 2021•14 min
Healthy coral reefs are amongst the most biologically diverse, culturally significant, and economically valuable ecosystems on Earth. In this episode, we speak with Lisa Vandiver, a Marine Habitat Restoration Specialist with NOAA’s Restoration Center and Rob Ferguson, a watershed management specialist with NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, to learn about how NOAA works alongside local partners on the island of Culebra to protect and restore the coral reef ecosystems and reduce the impacts ...
Dec 08, 2020•16 min
NOAA's Precision Marine Navigation team is creating new online services to enable more efficient access to the NOAA data that powers private-sector marine navigation products. In this episode, Julia Powell and John Kelley from the Office of Coast Survey share how the team is working to foster innovation, improve navigation safety, aid in more efficient coastal route planning, and help mariners make informed decisions as they navigate our nation's waterways. Episode permanent link and show notes...
Oct 29, 2020•13 min
In this episode, we hear about a NOAA-funded study that asked an interesting question: what if mussels could be used to learn more about microplastic pollution in our waterways? NOAA already runs a program that monitors chemical contaminants in our coastal waterways and Great Lakes by sampling mussels and oysters called the Mussel Watch program. So wouldn’t it be great to tap into Mussel Watch to also learn more about plastics in our environment? Spoiler alert: the study didn’t turn out quite as...
Sep 30, 2020•17 min
In this episode, we continue our conversation with two NOAA scientists about a study that looked at using mussels as "biomonitors" to measure microplastic pollution in the Great Lakes. Here, they discuss how their study was set up and how the scientific method works. Amy and Ed also discuss how unexpected results are often part of the scientific process, and how conducting a study in the field with living organisms ist so challenging. This is part two of a two-part episode. Episode permanent lin...
Sep 30, 2020•15 min
Coral reefs are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth. Unfortunately, they are declining due to manmade and natural threats. NOAA’s National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) is a massive, collaborative effort that was developed to collect scientifically sound, geographically comprehensive biological, climate, and socioeconomic data in U.S. coral reef areas. In this episode, we speak with Shay Viehman, a Research Ecologist with NOAA’s National Ocean Service in the National Centers for ...
Aug 27, 2020•18 min
Beach dunes, mangroves, wetlands, rain gardens, and bioswales are just a few examples of what experts call natural and nature-based infrastructure. In this episode, Kim Penn from NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management talks about how simple nature-based systems not only minimize coastal flooding, erosion, and runoff — but also form wonderful areas for recreation and tourism. Episode permanent link and show notes...
Jul 30, 2020•18 min
D-Day, codenamed Operation Neptune, was the largest amphibious landing not only in World War II, but in history. It marked the start of the liberation of German-occupied France (and later western Europe) and laid the foundations of the Allied victory on the Western Front. But what most people don't know is that ocean tides played a crucial role in the initial phase of this historic day. In this episode, hear the story of D-Day from the perspective of the science of tides and tide predictions. We...
Jun 24, 2020•18 min
The ocean is home to millions of different forms of life—yet we know surprisingly little about the creatures that live right along our shores, how they interact with each other, or how they're changing as the ocean environment they live in changes. Hear how the U.S. Marine Biodiversity Observation Network aims to change that. The goal is to ensure that scientists not only notice changes in biodiversity at locations around the nation, but also have the tools in place to better understand what the...
May 28, 2020•16 min
Discover the many free lesson plans, tutorials, fun activities, and other educational material offered by the National Ocean Service for educators, for students, for parents — or for anyone who wants to learn about our ocean and coasts. Episode permanent link and show notes
Apr 24, 2020•11 min
The National Geodetic survey has been measuring land to determine points on the ground and the angles, distances, and heights between them since the 1800s. To do this accurately, you have to understand the force of gravity. We talk with a NOAA geodesist to understand what gravity is, why and how it changes, and what it means for NOAA. Episode permanent link and show notes
Mar 19, 2020•12 min
Money does not grow on trees, but it could be growing in our coastal salt marshes and sea grass beds. A team of researchers is working at Waquoit Bay Research Reserve on Cape Cod in Massachusetts on the Bringing Wetlands to Market project to study the connections between coastal wetlands, carbon dioxide uptake and storage, and the global carbon trading economy. Wetlands have the potential to serve as valuable assets in carbon trading markets – but only if we protect them, and don't dig up the tr...
Feb 20, 2020•12 min
Nurdles are small plastic pellets that are causing a big problem. But citizen scientists are fighting back. In this episode, we talk with Jace Tunnell, Director of the Mission Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, about how the Nurdle Patrol is taking on these problematic pellets, and how you can get involved. Editor's Note: The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a network of 29 coastal sites designated to protect and study estuarine systems. NOAA provides funding and guidance ...
Jan 23, 2020•12 min
Since the early 1900’s the National Geodetic Survey has been taking photographs from airplanes to capture the Earth below. We talk with two NOAA experts about their role in emergency response imagery collection after hurricanes, and what it provides for the public. Episode permanent link and show notes
Dec 17, 2019•11 min
Did you know many phrases that we use today have nautical origins? Lots of these terms derive from the Age of Sail — the period of time between the 16th and 19th centuries when masted ships ruled the seas. Episode permanent link and show notes
Oct 23, 2019•5 min
In this episode, Kate Wheelock, Chief of NOAA’s Disaster Preparedness Program, explains how her team facilitates internal communication, coordination, and preparation for all types of unforeseen disasters. Episode permanent link and show notes
Aug 07, 2019•9 min
Meteotsunamis occur all over the world — including the Great Lakes — but scientists are just beginning to better detect and understand them. In this episode, NOAA oceanographer Greg Dusek talks about new research that advances what we know about these little known, but surprisingly common, weather-driven events. Episode permanent link and show notes
Jul 11, 2019•10 min
We interview a NOAA expert about ocean gliders — autonomous underwater vehicles used to collect valuable ocean data. In this episode, we uncover the technology behind gliders and dive in to what these vehicles can do to help prepare us for hurricanes. Episode permanent link and show notes
May 30, 2019•6 min
In our latest podcast, Allison Wittrock, a cartographer with the Office of Coast Survey, tells us about NOAA’s new digital charts. Episode permanent link and show notes
Apr 25, 2019•8 min
In this episode, Cindy Among-Serrao from Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary talks about how citizen scientists help monitor and promote awareness about marine life — particularly humpback whales — during the annual Sanctuary Ocean Count. Episode permanent link and show notes
Mar 21, 2019•7 min
In this episode, a NOAA ecologist discusses how invasive lionfish have become established across the Southeast U.S. and Caribbean. How did the fish get to the Atlantic? While the exact cause is unknown, it's likely that humans provided a helping hand. While NOAA researchers have concluded that invasive lionfish populations will continue to grow and cannot be eliminated using conventional methods, efforts continue to control populations. Episode permanent link and show notes...
Feb 28, 2019•7 min
This is the first half of a two-part interview with NOAA’s Hideyo Hattori. In this episode, we talk about the many ways that American Samoa is an amazing place, unlike anywhere else in the United States. Episode permanent link and show notes
Dec 04, 2018•8 hr 52 min
This is the second part of our interview with NOAA’s Hideyo Hattori about American Samoa. In this episode, we focus on Hideyo’s work with conserving the bountiful corals that surround the islands of this remote archipelago. Episode permanent link and show notes
Dec 04, 2018•8 hr 12 min
Harmful algal blooms (HABS) ... it's a term that many people became familiar with in 2018 due to a persistent "red tide" event along the Gulf Coast of Florida. In this podcast, we uncover what HABS are, what they aren’t, and how we can learn to minimize their effects on our daily lives. Episode permanent link and show notes
Nov 14, 2018•12 hr 52 min
With the use of unmanned systems, NOAA is reducing operational costs and manpower requirements, while increasing the type and quality of data that NOAA collects. In this episode, Rob Downs from NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey explains the past, present, and possible future of unmanned systems at NOAA. Episode permanent link and show notes
Oct 24, 2018•12 hr 52 min
Many marine organisms, including marine mammals, sea turtles, fish and invertebrates, rely on sound and hearing for their survival. Over the last century, increases in human activity within our ocean have led to increasing levels of noise. This increasing amount of noise from human sources is a rising concern for the health and well-being of marine organisms and ecosystems. In this episode, we talk with NOAA marine ecologist Dr. Leila Hatch about her work to better understand the ocean soundscap...
Aug 29, 2018•8 min
Natural infrastructure provides effective solutions for minimizing coastal flooding, erosion, and runoff, but it has other benefits as well. In this episode, Kim Penn from NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management explains the environmental, economic, and recreational benefits of natural infrastructure. Episode permanent link and show notes
Jun 28, 2018•15 min
June 1 is the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. Are you prepared? To help, learn the many ways the National Ocean Service responds to hurricanes, as well as easy steps you can take to be ready for whatever the season brings. Episode permanent link and show notes
May 24, 2018•7 min
Understanding how the ocean moves is no easy task. In this episode, we hear from a NOAA oceanographer who studies the physics of how the ocean moves to better understand and predict how tides and currents shape our coastal environment. Episode permanent link and show notes
Apr 26, 2018•19 min
How the gyres that circulate our ocean waters also accumulate plastics. Find out what a garbage patch is and isn't, and what we can do about this ocean-sized problem. Episode permanent link and show notes
Mar 22, 2018•10 min
