October 27 marks the 45th anniversary of the landmark Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), which waved in a new era by recognizing the importance of safeguarding our nation's coasts, estuaries, and oceans.

The Act, passed by Congress on October 27, 1972, is designed to preserve, protect, develop, enhance, and restore the nation's coastal resources. The legislation led to a federal and state partnership program that balances the goals of promoting economic development and protecting the coastal environment.

The effort has increased public access to our coasts, protected and restored coastal habitat, and minimized the risk from coastal storms and other natural hazards. The partnership has helped communities manage development, promote healthy economies and people, and reduce polluted runoff.

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New video! Coral reefs are one of Earth’s most productive ecosystems — both in terms of biology and cold, hard cash. Healthy coral reef ecosystems do everything from supporting millions of jobs to protecting lives and valuable coastal infrastructure, like hotels and roads, from storms and waves. In fact, each year coral reefs pump more than $3.4 billion into the U.S. economy And that’s a conservative estimate!

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From September 22-26, the National Geodetic Survey collected damage assessment imagery in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. The aerial imagery was collected in specific areas identified by FEMA and the National Weather Service. You can access all of the images collected online.

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From September 11-18, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) collected damage assessment imagery in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. The aerial imagery was collected in specific areas identified by FEMA and the National Weather Service. You can access all of the images collected online.

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From August 27-September 4, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) collected damage assessment imagery in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The aerial imagery was collected in specific areas identified by FEMA and the National Weather Service. You can access all of the images collected online.

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On Aug. 29, NOAA announced 15 marine debris projects that will support marine debris removal and research received nearly $2.2 million in fiscal year 2017 funding through the NOAA Marine Debris Program. These projects support efforts to address the pervasive global problem of marine debris that can impact wildlife, navigation safety, human health, and the economy.

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The beach remains one of the most popular summer vacation destinations in the U.S. Both coastal residents and out-of-town tourists partake in the many joys it has to offer. From swimming to surfing to sun bathing and whale watching, the shore provides us with so many unique activities. To help keep the coastal economy thriving, coastal communities safe, and your vacation enjoyable, NOAA provides a variety of services. Here are some of the products and services provided by NOAA's National Ocean Service.

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Since its creation by Congress 25 years ago, NOAA's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary has been vital to the protection of humpback whales, being the only place in the United States where these majestic cetaceans reproduce. Scientists estimate that up to 12,000 whales—more than half of the North Pacific humpback population—return to Hawaiian waters from November through May to breed, calve, and nurse their young. No one knows exactly how long humpback whales have been mating and reproducing in the islands' warm, shallow waters, but narrative reports from whalers document seeing them as early as the 1840s.

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Going to the beach? Plan your summer visit with these safety tips in mind.

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Researchers recently completed an 88-day expedition aboard the NOAA Ship Hi'ialakai to survey two remote regions in the Pacific. First, they traveled to the islands of Jarvis, Howland, Baker and Wake, all part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. Then they traversed to the Mariana Archipelago, working their way up the island chain from the populated islands in the south to remote locations in the north. What did researchers see during their 2017 journey through the Pacific? View our top 10 list of amazing images collected during this 88-day mission.

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