BOEM develops, conducts and oversees world-class scientific research to inform its policy decisions. By using science, regulatory frameworks and input from others, the bureau considers the potential for BOEM activities to impact the ocean’s physical characteristics, biological resources and marine or coastal uses that are important to the environment and society.
BOEM-NASA Air Quality Study Published in AGU Journal
Scientists with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recently published an analysis of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) patterns and trends in the Gulf of Mexico using satellite data to identify NO2 hotspots from oil and natural gas (ONG) platforms, establish a baseline for future emissions estimates, and provide a methodology for analyzing NO2 measurements.
Blue Dragon Sea Slug
Dive into the mesmerizing world of the Blue Dragon Sea Slug, an ocean drifter with a lethal secret weapon. Learn about the marvels and perils of this small, yet formidable, creature of the deep.
The Peacock Mantis Shrimp
The mantis shrimp (order Stomatopoda) is so named because of its blend of features: the front part of its body has the bulging eyes and grasping forelimbs resembling a praying mantis, while its latter half has the hard exoskeleton resembling a shrimp.
Dumbo Octopus: The Whimsical Survivor of the Deep
Distribution: Worldwide, tropical and temperate latitudes Ecosystem: Deep-open ocean Feeding Habits: Foraging Predator Taxonomy: Family Opisthoteuthidae (umbrella octopuses) Class Cephalopoda (squids
BOEM Helps to Restore Popular Outer Banks Beaches
Over the years, Outer Banks beaches have been severely impacted by extreme weather events and naturally occurring erosion. In 2022, BOEM entered into a negotiated agreement to provide access to approximately 3.14 million cubic yards of Outer Continental Shelf sand to replenish 11.65 miles of Dare County shoreline along portions of the Towns of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, and Kill Devil Hills. Projects like these reduce storm damage and impacts from flooding, while maintaining useable recreational beaches.
Cetacean Estimation: Belugas Count! 2023
Belugas Count! is a BOEM-sponsored, NOAA-led, and citizen-driven initiative to track the population of this ecologically important species. At the forefront of the effort are the citizens who volunteer to staff 14 public shore viewing stations around the Cook Inlet in Alaska.
Environmental Studies Program Celebrates Golden Anniversary
Innovative program has provided important scientific data to inform bureau's decisions for 50 years. By Dr. Rodney E. Cluck Chief, Division of Environmental Sciences, Environmental Studies Program
Surf 50 Years of Coastal and Ocean Science
BOEM’s Environmental Studies Program (ESP) develops, fund and manages rigorous scientific research specifically to inform policy decisions on energy and mineral resource development on the Outer
Boldly Explore Where No One Has Explored Before
BOEM is exploring the uncharted ocean off the coast of the United States, thanks to improving technology and the combined efforts of partner federal agencies.
The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
Derived from invited article submitted by Gregory S. Boland, former BOEM employee. This year, the Department of the Interior (DOI) celebrates nearly 50 years of environmental protection of the Flower
Send in the Drones
The waters around the Aleutian Islands are virtually unexplored territory. And for good reason.
Studying Noise Impacts on Cetaceans: We’ve Come a Long Way!
Review paper summarizes the history of research efforts on anthropogenic noise effects to cetaceans.
Offshore Wind and Marine Mammal Protection
The American Shoreline Podcast. Listen as Dr. Lewandowski explains how BOEM uses science to guide its decision-making process for offshore wind development, particularly in relation to marine mammals and marine acoustics.
Will Crabs Cross Undersea Cables?
Commercial fishermen have expressed concern about the potential impacts electromagnetic fields associated with offshore energy development could have on crabs. BOEM partnered with researchers and fishermen to conduct a four-month study to help the bureau better understand whether offshore energy-related undersea cables effect crab behavior. The study is part of BOEM’s larger efforts to ensure that offshore energy and commercial fisheries can successfully co-exist.
Scientists Explore Site of Historic Seabed Mining Equipment Testing Offshore Georgia
BOEM, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and NOAA Ocean Exploration explored a site on the Blake Plateau offshore of the Georgia coast from July 31-August 12, 2022, to better understand the impacts of historic seabed mining equipment testing conducted in the 1970s.
BOEM-Sponsored Saildrone Surveyor Expedition Returning Home After Exploring Aleutian Islands
Since departing Dutch Harbor on August 11, the uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) Saildrone Surveyor has been collecting seafloor mapping and surface oceanographic data in priority areas of the relatively unexplored Aleutian Islands. The expedition, part of a multi-agency public-private partnership funded by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), gathered data on several large, unexplored areas off the Aleutian chain identified as high priority for NOAA, BOEM, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the broader federal Interagency Working Group on Ocean Exploration and Characterization.
Pursuing New Frontiers in Ocean Exploration and Characterization
The U.S. Ocean Policy Committee recently released the report Strategic Priorities for Ocean Exploration and Characterization of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone. The report identifies current high-priority geographies and thematic topics that require better characterization and understanding. Federal agencies working to address these priorities will help advance the nation’s forecasting of seafloor hazards, improve understanding of ocean cultural heritage and uncover important new knowledge about previously underexplored habitats and ecosystems. As a co-chair of the Working Group and a Council member agency, BOEM played an integral role in the report’s development and is actively promoting interagency efforts to further meet ocean exploration and characterization needs.
BOEM and HeroX Launch “Better Call Trawl” Challenge
New crowdsourcing challenge will help BOEM better understand the effectiveness of current relocation trawling methods for protecting sea turtles during offshore dredging operations.
Discovering Lost Worlds
The ocean contains archaeological remains from every age of human history, and the BOEM Marine Archaeology program is responsible for studying and cataloging pre-contact human settlement and deep-sea shipwrecks. These finds have the potential to contribute significantly to our understanding of the commerce, technology, and culture of bygone eras, as well as inform agency decision-making on energy development.
BOEM Funds Study to Improve EPA Air Quality Model for Overwater Applications
Working under an interagency agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), BOEM recently funded an effort to update and improve coding for the American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (AERMOD), a dispersion modeling system that uses meteorological data, including wind speed and direction, temperature and turbulence, plus emissions data, to predict air quality impacts. Updating the program’s platform downwash algorithm will result in more accurate model results, improving BOEM’s offshore activity impact assessments and better informing the bureau’s policy decisions.