National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is an American scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce that focuses on the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere. NOAA warns of dangerous weather, charts seas, guides the use and protection of ocean and coastal resources, conducts research to provide understanding and improve stewardship of the environment. Established in 1970 by Congress, NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources.
Headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, NOAA has over 13,000 employees working in more than 600 offices across the United States. The agency includes four line offices: National Weather Service (NWS), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),and National Environmental Satellite Data & Information Service (NESDIS). In addition to these line offices there are nine staff offices including Office of General Counsel; Office of Legislative Affairs; Budget Office; International Affairs Office; Public Affairs Office; Regulatory Enforcement Division; Equal Employment Opportunity Program office among others.
The National Weather Service is responsible for providing weather forecasts worldwide as well as issuing warnings when severe weather strikes. NWS data and products form a basis for decision making by other governmental agencies such as FEMA during times of disaster. The over 52 local forecast offices around the country issue more than 1 million forecast products annually.
NOS works to ensure safe navigation throughout US waters as well as protecting coastal environments through mapping charting efforts conducted by its more than 400 employees stationed across 20 different locations nationwide. NOS also manages several national programs focused on stewardship including Coastal Zone Management Program which assists state governments with developing management plans to protect sensitive coastal areas; Living Marine Resources which aims at conserving fish stocks through science based conservation measures; Marine Sanctuaries program which designates special areas in US waters where human activities are limited in order preserve natural habitats as well as historical shipwrecks . NMFS is charged with managing living marine resources through science based conservation measures while promoting sustainable fisheries development nationwide . Its responsibilities include conducting research on fish population dynamics , habitat assessment , ecosystem monitoring ; deciding which fishing practices are appropriate ; assisting fishermen with adopting new technologies ; enforcing fishing regulations . NESDIS compiles environmental data from satellites operated by both NOAA as well NASA providing critical information used daily by meteorologists around world to make short-term forecasts as well long range planning decisions concerning climate change .