More than 125 participants from across at least 20 programs, agencies and institutions, including NOAA Research programs and labs, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) headquarters and individual Sanctuaries, and external agencies/institutions, joined the Jan. 26-28 workshop.

The workshop will engage members from across NOAA Research through the discussion of how their work can be leveraged to meet the climate science and information needs of sanctuaries and provide opportunities for new partnerships.

An interactive webinar, led by the CPO Marine Ecosystems Risk Team (MERT), featured NOAA CoastWatch staff and focused on how the CoastWatch data, tools, and capabilities can be used to inform sanctuaries science and management, including climate change assessment and adaptation.

The new web portal provides data on a number of indicators that track the status and trends of seven major marine ecosystems across the United States as well as a national synthesis.

Particular focuses included the need for increased understanding of subsurface parameters; the ability of multiple labs and programs to provide needed climate expertise and information; and a desire to engage in an iterative process of project and tool development with sanctuary partners.