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Standing Committee

Ocean Studies Board

The Ocean Studies Board (OSB) is the focal point within the National Academies for ocean-related science, engineering, and policy issues. The OSB explores the science, policies, and infrastructure needed to understand and protect coastal and marine environments and resources. The board exercises leadership within the ocean community by helping identify and communicate the needs of the field and developing activities related to ocean science and engineering and their impacts on policy.

In progress

News and Updates

Forecasting the Ocean: The 2025–2035 Decade of Ocean Science

Update

This report provides advice on how to focus investments in ocean research, infrastructure, and workforce to meet national and global challenges in the coming decade and beyond, and in doing so, enhance national security, scientific leadership, and economic competitiveness through a thriving blue economy.

May 9, 2025
low sun hanging over a sea or ocean

The Quest to Map the Global Ocean

Update

Join us on March 17 as Larry Mayer of the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping at the University of New Hampshire presents the 27th annual Roger Revelle Commemorative Lecture. Register to hear him discuss advances in global ocean mapping and seafloor exploration from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM (ET).

Feb 20, 2026
Larry-Mayer-Slider.jpg

U.S. National Committee for the Ocean Decade

Update

The UN has recognized the need to support science working towards sustaining the ocean and, in response, deemed 2021–2030 the UN Ocean Decade. The National Academies have been tasked with convening the U.S. National Committee for the Decade to provide “the science we need for the ocean we want.” Join the effort as we work to make the ocean a more sustainable place.

Nov 21, 2025
aerial shot of a boat next to a reef

Projects

Showing 1–32 of 81 items
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Future pathways for the BGC Argo program: A Workshop

Workshop

In Progress

Ocean-Shots

Award/Competition

In Formation

Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Standing Committee

Standing Committee

In Progress

Circularity and Plastics--A Workshop

Workshop

Completed

Impacts on Shipping and Commercial, Tribal, and Recreational Fisheries from Development of Renewable Energy on the West Coast

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Recently Completed

Phase 2: Assessing the Distribution of Permits and Quotas in Fisheries Management

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Increasing Diversity in the US Ocean Studies Community

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

An Inclusive and Equitable Ocean: A Workshop

Workshop

Completed

Evaluation of Hydrodynamic Modeling and Implications for Offshore Wind Development: Nantucket Shoals

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

2025-2035 Decadal Survey of Ocean Sciences for the National Science Foundation

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Recently Completed

Assessing Equity in the Distribution of Fisheries Management Benefits: Data and Information Availability

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Standing Committee on the Offshore Wind Energy and Fisheries

Standing Committee

Completed

Ocean Acoustics Education and Expertise

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Future Directions for Southern Ocean and Antarctic Nearshore and Coastal Research

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Climate Intervention in an Earth Systems Science Framework: A Workshop

Workshop

Completed

Workshop on Tipping Points, Cascading Impacts, and Interacting Risks in the Earth System

Workshop

Completed
Calving Glacier Alaska - Hubbard Glacier - a huge iceberg calves into Disenchantment Bay - St. Elias Alaska. Taken from an Alaska cruise ship - near Yukon, Canada

New Coast Guard Authorities

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research: A Workshop

Workshop

Completed

Review of Inland Estimated Recovery System Potential (ERSP) Prototype Calculator

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Cross-Cutting Themes for U.S. Contributions to the Ocean Decade

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Review of Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research (ICCOPR) 2022-2027 Research and Technology Plan

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to Advance Earth System Science: Opportunities and Challenges – A Workshop

Workshop

Completed

Leading Practices for Improving Accessibility and Inclusion in Field and Laboratory Science: A Conversation Series

Workshop

Completed

Wind Turbine Generator Impacts to Marine Vessel Radar

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Assessment and Advancement of Science in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's Environmental Studies Program

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Identifying New Community-Driven Science Themes for NSF’s Support of Paleo Perspectives on Climate Change (P2C2): A Workshop

Workshop

Completed

Environmental Impact of Currently Marketed Sunscreens and Potential Human Impacts of Changes in Sunscreen Usage

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Developing a Booklet on Biodiversity for the Public and Policy Makers

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

A Research Strategy for Ocean Carbon Dioxide Removal and Sequestration

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

United States Contributions to Global Ocean Plastic Waste

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Ocean Decade U.S.

Representative Activity

In Progress

Workshop on Earth System Predictability Research and Development

Workshop

Completed
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