December 9, 2010

Texas officials and coastal managers will now receive early notice of outbreaks of toxic algae that threaten public health and affect beach and fishing activities along the coast. Weekly bulletins generated by the NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System are based on observations from state partners, coupled with models, imagery and data from NOAA’s powerful tide and current and weather systems.

NOAA’s Fisheries Service today issued its final interim rule to reduce commercial fishing for groundfish stocks in the Aleutian Islands in an effort to provide more food for the endangered western Steller sea lion.

The first underwater robotic vehicle – or “glider” – to cross an ocean will be the centerpiece of a new exhibit opening in the Sant Ocean Hall at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History on Dec. 9.