The Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), provides national leadership, strategic direction and guidance to state and territory coastal programs and estuarine research reserves.

We work with state and territory coastal resource managers in a variety of ways. We foster knowledge sharing, promote research and pursue innovative management strategies and techniques. We are working with partners to develop a scientifically-based, comprehensive national system of marine protected areas (MPA's). Through NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program we support effective management and sound science to protect, sustain and restore coral reef ecosystems.

Our activities are mandated by three articles of legislation: the Coastal Zone Management Act, MPA Executive Order, and Coral Reef Conservation Act. The Office is composed of six divisions: Coastal Programs, Estuarine Reserves, National Policy and Evaluation, Business Management, MPA Center, and the Coral Program.

The Coral Reef Conservation Program recently unveiled the 2008 Coral Reef Resources Roundup CD, a product of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Education & Outreach Working Group. The CD was compiled in celebration of the International Year of the Reef 2008; it contains lesson plans, student activities, videos, slide shows, electronic posters and background materials.

The Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) recently awarded funds to three states for projects that will help protect lands of ecological, conservation, recreation, historic, and aesthetic significance.  The program will also soon announce a new funding opportunity for FY2009. 

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