About
NOAA Ocean Exploration (NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research) is the only federal program dedicated to exploring the unknown ocean, unlocking its potential through scientific discovery, technological advancements, partnerships, data delivery, and education
With priority placed on exploration of deep waters and the waters of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, NOAA Ocean Exploration executes its mission to explore the ocean for national benefit by using the latest tools and technology to explore unknown or poorly known areas of our ocean, making discoveries of scientific and economic value. By establishing public, private, and academic partnerships, we work to leverage complementary expertise, produce innovations in exploration tools and capabilities, and enhance the potential for significant new advances in discovery, understanding, action, and inspiration. Our educational and training opportunities inspire members of the general public as well as the next generation of explorers, helping to build the future workforce needed to increase knowledge and understanding of the ocean system and maintain our country’s influence and leadership in an ever-challenging global arena. And to better understand our ocean, NOAA Ocean Exploration is making collected data and information publicly available in increasingly innovative ways, providing a unique and centralized national resource of critical ocean information needed to inform decision-makers on ocean policy issues
Our Mission
The mission of NOAA Ocean Exploration is to explore the ocean for national benefit. As the only U.S. federal organization dedicated to exploring the deep ocean, we are filling gaps in the basic understanding of U.S. deep waters and the seafloor and delivering the ocean information needed to protect American livelihoods, strengthen national security, and promote a vibrant U.S. economy.
Our team
NOAA Ocean Exploration includes a range of staff, organized into a series of divisions dedicated to carrying out our mission. Staff are located at NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, as well as in field offices around the country.
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Ocean Exploration Advisory Board
NOAA established the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB) under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and legislation that gives NOAA statutory authority to operate an ocean exploration program and to coordinate a national program of ocean exploration. The OEAB advises NOAA leadership on strategic planning, ocean exploration priorities, competitive ocean exploration grant programs, and other exploration matters.
The Ocean Exploration Advisory Board is made up of experts in the field of ocean exploration who are appointed for three-year terms by the NOAA Administrator.
The legislation that formalized NOAA’s ocean exploration responsibilities requires NOAA to hold periodic national meetings to “establish an ocean exploration forum to encourage partnerships and promote communications among experts and other stakeholders in order to enhance the scientific and technical expertise and relevance of the national program.”
Media Kit
Browse information about our media resources and learn how to access multimedia and other content to help you build your story.
Annual Reports
Since its creation in 2001, NOAA Ocean Exploration has been dedicated to exploring our unknown ocean for national benefit. Browse past annual reports to learn more about our activities and accomplishments.