NOAA's State of the Coast

Lesson Plans

Thursday, 5 April 2013 12:0:01 -0500

Designed to supplement existing curricula at the high school level, these comprehensive lesson plans present the themes of the State of the Coast website using online data from NOAA and other trusted websites. The lessons are correlated to National Science Education Standards and the Ocean Literacy Essential Principles and Fundamental Concents.

Filed under: Features

The National Coastal Population Report

Thursday, 5 April 2013 12:0:01 -0500

The National Coastal Population Report presents basic demographic status and trends data from 1970 to 2020 for both U.S. coastal shoreline counties and U.S. coastal watershed counties, allowing the coastal management community the opportunity to choose the most appropriate statistics for their needs.

Filed under: Features

Energy Production in Coastal States and U.S. Offshore Waters

Tuesday, 19 February 2013 12:0:01 -0500

Did you know that more than one-half of the U.S. energy production occurs in the Nation’s thirty coastal and Great Lakes states, and about a quarter of total U.S. crude oil production occurs in coastal state and federal offshore waters. Energy production is critical to our economy and quality of life, and provides significant employment opportunities. Explore NOAA's updated energy interactive map to find information on the 2010 coastal state energy production estimantes and how conditions have changed since 1960.

Filed under: Economy

Recreational Fishing - An American Pastime

Tuesday, 12 February 2013 12:0:01 -0500

Did you know that the estimated total marine recreational catch was nearly 345 million fish in 2011, of which almost 60 percent were released alive. Discover NOAA Fisheries statistics of Coastal Recreational Fishing from 1981-2011 in our updated interactive map.

Filed under: Economy

Federally Insured Assets in the Coastal Floodplain

Friday, 1 March 2013 12:0:01 -0500

Did you know that the second largest fiscal liability of the U.S. government, behind social security, is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)? Explore NFIP's statistics and rankings on policies, premiums, coverage, and claim payouts for coastal areas.

Filed under: Climate

NOAA Shoreline Types

Tuesday, 7 August 2012 12:0:01 -0500

Do you know how much of the U.S. shoreline is armored? Discover the different types of shoreline around the U.S. through the State of the Coast Website's new topic based on NOAA's Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps.

Filed under: Ecosystems

Invasive Species Disrupt Coastal Ecosystems and Economies

Thursday, 26 July 2012 12:0:01 -0500

Non-native species have adversely impacted local economies, important fisheries, sensitive coastal ecosystems, and human health. Explore this topic to learn more about pathways of how a species becomes invasive and prevention efforts to control invasive species.

Filed under: Ecosystems

Ports - Crucial Coastal Infrastructure

Monday, 23 April 2012 12:0:01 -0500

Our nation's ports, often located in the heart of sensitive coastal ecosystems, are an essential driver of the U.S. economy. Visit and explore the newly added 2010 waterborne commerce data for the top 150 U.S. ports.

Filed under: Economy

SOTC Featured Report: The Southeast Atlantic Regional Fact Sheet

Friday, 13 January 2012 12:0:01 -0500

The Southeast Atlantic Regional Fact Sheet provides State of the Coast information at the regional level, highlighing coastal and ocean related statistics, graphics, and quick facts.

Filed under: Ecosystems

Invasive Species Disrupt Coastal Ecosystems and Economies

Thursday, 3 November 2011 12:0:01 -0500

Invasive species have adversely impacted local economies, important fisheries, sensitive coastal ecosystems, and human health. Explore this topic to learn more about pathways of how a species becomes invasive and prevention efforts to control invasive species.

Filed under: Ecosystems

Commercial Fishing - A Cultural Tradition

Thursday, 29 September 2011 12:0:01 -0500

Did you know that in 2010 the value of U.S. commercial marine fish landings totaled 8.2 billion pounds valued at about 4.5 billion dollars? Discover the amount and value of commercial fish landings in the U.S. from 1950-2010 in our updated interactive map.

Filed under: Economy

Census 2010 comes to NOAA's State of the Coast Web Site

Friday, 15 September 2011 12:0:01 -0500

Ever wonder how your coastal county's population has grown? Discover historic population trends and current Census 2010 data in our interact map. Also, explore how your coastal county's population may grow in the coming years.

Filed under: Communities

Energy Production in Coastal States and U.S. Offshore Waters

Monday, 29 August 2011 12:0:01 -0500

Explore NOAA's updated energy interactive map to find information on the 2009 coastal state energy production estimantes and how conditions have changed since 1960.

Filed under: Economy

Gulf of Mexico at a Glance: A Second Glance

Thurs, 14 July 2011 12:0:01 -0500

The Gulf of Mexico at a Glance: A Second Glance provides highlights of what we know about the Gulf region's coastal communities, coastal economy, and coastal ecosystems, and how climate change might impact the Gulf coast. This report is an update to the original Gulf at a Glance, published in June 2008 and includes an expanded suite of regional attributes.

Filed under: Ecosystems

Wetlands - Critical Coastal Habitat

Thurs, 7 July 2011 12:0:01 -0500

Did you know that in 2006 there was 88,569 square miles of wetland area in the coastal watershed counties of the contiguous 48 states? Discover the current extent of coastal wetlands (freshwater, saltwater, and shore) and how they have changed between 1996 and 2006 in the coastal watershed counties.

Filed under: Ecosystems

U.S. Beach Closures - Has Your State Improved?

Wed, 6 July 2011 12:0:01 -0500

Explore NOAA's updated beach closure interactive map to find information on the 2010 swimming season and how conditions have changed since 2006.

Filed under: Communities

"Ports - Crucial Coastal Infrastructure" updated on NOAA's State of the Coast Web site

Fri, 29 April 2011 12:0:01 -0500

Did you know that 77% of all U.S. imports arrive via coastal ports? Explore our Nation's top 150 ports and their commodities using our updated interactive map.

Filed under: Economy

Energy Production added to NOAA's State of the Coast Web site

Fri, 18 March 2011 12:0:01 -0500

Did you know coastal states produce 55% of our Nation's energy? Explore energy production estimates in coastal states from 1970 to 2008 using our new interactive map.

Filed under: Economy

Updated coastal population trends - How many people will live near the coast in 2020?

Wed, 19 January 2011 12:0:01 -0500

Discover population trends and projections in both coastal watershed counties and the 100-year coastal flood hazard area by exploring our updated interactive maps. These updates also include the addition of U.S. Territories.

Filed under: Communities

Commmercial and Recreational Fishing Updates on NOAA's State of the Coast Web Site

Mon, 1 November 2010 8:0:01 -0500

Did you know Alaskan Pollock was the largest single species caught in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone in 2009? Did you know 56% of marine recreational fish caught were released alive in 2009? Explore these and other facts using the commercial fishing and recreational fishing interactive maps on NOAA’s State of the Coast Web site.

Filed under: Economy

U.S. Beach Closures - Has Your State Improved?

Tues, 31 August 2010 8:0:01 -0500

Explore NOAA's updated beach closure interactive map to find information on the 2009 swimming season and how conditions have changed since 2006.

Filed under: Communities>Beach Closures

Nutrient Pollution in U.S. Estuaries Interactive Visualization and a Pro Surfer Helping to Make "Blue" the New "Green"

Friday, 30 July 2010 8:0:01 -0500

Read the latest Coastal Voices and learn about how world champion surfer, Kelly Slater, is communicating concerns about marine debris, poor water quality at our beaches, and coral reef degradation through one of NOAA’s most recent public service announcement partnerships.

Filed under: Communities>Beach Closures

NOAA’s State of the Coast Web Site Officially Launches with a New Indicator Topic: Chemical Contaminants in Oysters and Mussels

Tues, 8 June 2010 8:0:01 -0500

On June 8, NOAA officially launched NOAA’s State of the Coast Web site in conjunction with Capitol Hill Ocean Week in Washington, DC. As part of the official launch, a new indicator was added to the site, Chemical Contaminants in Oysters and Mussels. Explore the chemical contaminant levels in our nation’s estuarine shellfish as compared to the FDA action levels from 1986 to 2009. Also, through related case studies, learn why fire retardants are a chemical of growing concern in the U.S. and how NOAA scientists are testing Gulf oysters and sediment for baseline contamination.

Filed under: Economy>Commercial Fishing

Reducing Bycatch - A Complex Challenge for Commercial Fisheries [Case Study]

Mon, 3 May 2010 16:09:10 -0500

Bycatch is one of the leading environmental and economic problems facing the commercial fishing industry. Read the latest State of the Coast case study to learn more about this topic and the steps being taken to minimize its impact.

Filed under: Economy>Commercial Fishing

NOAA's State of the Coast Website Launches

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:25:10 -0500

On March 10, NOS launched NOAA’s State of the Coast Web site. The Web site is a source for quick facts and more detailed statistics offered through fourteen interactive indicator visualizations presented across four themes: Communities, Economy, Ecosystems, and Climate. Collectively this information intends to highlight connections among a healthy coastal ecosystem, a robust U.S. economy, a safe population, and a sustainable quality of life for coastal residents. Visit stateofthecoast.noaa.gov to investigate changes in coastal population from 1970 to 2040; explore the impact coastal areas have on the U.S. economy; survey the overall health of the U.S. coast; and explore the vulnerability of our coasts to long term sea level rise.

Filed under: Home