NOAA News ReleasesThe latest news releases from NOAA - the National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationNOAA and Shell Oil Company Launch Enhanced Ocean Observations Project in Gulf of Mexico- February 13, 2008 NOAA and the Shell Oil Company have signed a cooperative agreement to place meteorological and oceanographic observation sensors on seven Shell oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Once installed, the suite of observation equipment will become a vital component of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), providing valuable data for use in hurricane research, forecasting, and coastal resource management.http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080213_shelloil.html NOAA, California Resources Agency Honored for Thank You Ocean Campaign- February 13, 2008 The California Resources Agency and NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program have been honored for their joint Thank You Ocean campaign, which encourages Californians to learn about and respect the ocean.http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080212_thankyou.html NOAA Names Kyger to Manage Nations Climate and Weather Supercomputer- February 13, 2008 Ben Kyger has been selected to manage the day-to-day operations of the nations weather and climate supercomputers that give federal, private and broadcast meteorologists the latest forecasts and models for national weather, daily air quality, U.S. hazards assessments, drought, hurricane, and seasonal outlooks.http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080212_kyger.html NOAA Hurricane Hunter Flies into Pacific Winter Storms Out of Oregon- February 11, 2008 In an effort to improve forecasts released 12 and 72 hours before a winter storm, NOAA is flying its WP-3D hurricane hunter aircraft into severe weather over the Pacific Ocean from a temporary base in Portland, Ore. The aircraft is acquiring atmospheric data from severe winter storms originating over the Pacific Ocean that will affect the continental United States.http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080211_p3.html NOAA Names Balsiger Acting Director for National Marine Fisheries Service- February 11, 2008 James W. Balsiger has been appointed as acting assistant administrator for NOAAs National Marine Fisheries Service, directing federal scientists and regulators responsible for managing commercial and recreational ocean fishing and the protection of marine mammals, sea turtles and their habitat.http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080211_balsiger.html NOAA Proposes Critical Habitat for Threatened Elkhorn and Staghorn Corals- February 7, 2008 Elkhorn and staghorn corals, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in May 2006, will benefit from the designation of newly proposed critical habitat. NOAA is seeking public comment on its proposal, which identifies approximately 4,931 square miles of marine habitat in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as critical habitat for the threatened corals a requirement of the ESA.http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080207_corals.html NOAAs Fisheries Service Lists Oregon Coast Coho for Federal Protection- February 5, 2008 NOAA's Fisheries Service will list Oregon coast coho as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act.http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080205_oregon.html |