National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific and technical division of the U.S. Department of Commerce, established in 1807 to detect changes in the atmosphere, the Earth, and the oceans, to make predictions, and to maintain, manage, develop, and utilize marine and coastal resources to meet economic, social, and environmental needs. The purpose of NOAA is to detect changes in the atmosphere, the Earth and the oceans, to make predictions, and to maintain, manage, develop and utilize marine and coastal resources to meet economic, social and environmental needs, including the provision of nautical and aeronautical charts, weather forecasts, storm warnings, climate monitoring, fisheries management, and the development, utilization and protection of coastal resources.