National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Department of Commerce

Created in 1970, but with organizational roots back to 1807, NOAA conducts research and gathers data about the global oceans, atmosphere, space, and sun, applying this knowledge to products and services of benefit to all. Through its five major organizations – the National Weather Service; Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; National Marine Fisheries Service; National Ocean Service; and National Environmental, Satellite, Data and Information Service – NOAA warns of dangerous weather, charts the seas and skies, guides the use and protection of ocean and coastal resources, and conducts research to improve our understanding and stewardship of the environment. NOAA has been engaged with IUCN across multiple Programmes on several Commissions (Species Survival and Protected Areas), Task Forces (Marine Mammal Protected Areas, Marine and High Seas, Large-Scale Marine Protected Areas), Specialist Groups (Cetacean, Shark, Tuna and Billifish, Pinniped, Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle, Marine Turtle, Salmonid, and Conservation Genetics), Committees (Marine Conservation and Sargasso Sea High Sea MPA) and Subcommittees. NOAA also provides expert advice on a variety of issues including Red List Assessments; MPAs, including Green List for Protected Areas Workgroup, Climate-Smart MPAs, and IUCN’s contribution to Mission Blue; the IUCN Western Grey Whale Advisory Panel; and the Large Marine Ecosystem Approach.