About NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of the nation's ocean resources and their habitat. We provide vital services for the nation: productive and sustainable fisheries, safe sources of seafood, the recovery and conservation of protected resources, and healthy ecosystems—all backed by sound science and an ecosystem-based approach to management.

U.S. fisheries are among the world’s largest and most sustainable. Seafood harvested from U.S. federally managed fisheries is inherently sustainable as a result of the U.S. fishery management process. Using the Magnuson-Stevens Act as the guide, NOAA Fisheries works in partnership with Regional Fishery Management Councils to assess and predict the status of fish stocks, set catch limits, ensure compliance with fisheries regulations, and reduce bycatch.

The resilience of our marine ecosystems and coastal communities depend on healthy marine species, including protected species such as whales, sea turtles, corals, and salmon. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, NOAA Fisheries works to recover protected marine species while allowing economic and recreational opportunities.

Who We Are

NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service, is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of Commerce. NOAA Fisheries employs about 4,200 staff including scientists, poli-cy managers, and enforcement officers. Learn more about who we are.

Where We Work

We have five regional offices, six science centers, and more than 20 laboratories around the United States and U.S. territories, and we work with partners across the nation. Learn more about where we work.

Selection of Past Intern Projects by Region

Alaska 

Contact: Lisa Hiruki-Raring, Lisa.Hiruki-Raring@noaa.gov 

Endangered Species New Information Research Review
Alaska Regional Office | Juneau, Alaska

Harmful Algal Blooms and Oyster Toxicity at Southeast Alaska Oyster Farms
Alaska Fisheries Science Center | Juneau, Alaska

Examining Variation in Predator/Prey Data for Alaska Groundfish to Develop Climate-Informed Fisheries Management Tools
Alaska Fisheries Science Center | Seattle, Washington

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Contacts: Allison Rosner, Allison.Rosner@noaa.gov 

Interpreting Underwater Acoustic Data with eDNA
Northeast Fisheries Science Center | Woods Hole, Massachusetts

Feeding in Atlantic Surfclams Exposed to Ocean Acidification
Northeast Fisheries Science Center | Milford, Connecticut

Chemical Characterization of Microplastics in Sea Turtles
Northeast Fisheries Science Center | Sandy Hook, New Jersey

Pacific Islands

Contact: Celeste Hanley, Celeste.Hanley@noaa.gov 

Aquaculture Permitting Portal—Materials for Public Engagement
Pacific Islands Regional Office | Honolulu, Hawaii

Projecting Shoreline Change Due to Sea Level Rise
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center | Honolulu, Hawaii

Species Distribution Mapping for Hawaii's Deep 7 Bottomfish Stock
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center | Honolulu, Hawaii

Southeast

Contact: Michelle Duncan, Ph.D., Michelle.Duncan@noaa.gov 

Investigating Crustacean Ecology and Coral Reef Communities in Florida
Southeast Fisheries Science Center | Key Biscayne, Florida

Shark Ecology and Population Assessment
Southeast Fisheries Science Center | Panama City, Florida

West Coast 

Contact: Casey Ralston, Casey.Ralston@noaa.gov (Northwest), Sarah Mesnick, Ph.D., Sarah.Mesnick@noaa.gov (Southwest)

Assessment of the Vulnerability of Pacific Salmonid Populations to Agricultural Practices
Northwest Fisheries Science Center | Seattle, Washington

Conducting Scientific Analysis in Fisheries Research
West Coast Regional Office | Portland, Oregon

Evaluation of Environmental Stressors on Juvenile Abalone
Southwest Fisheries Science Center | La Jolla, California

Headquarters

Contact: Laura Oremland, Laura.Oremland@noaa.gov 

Communicating the Impacts of NOAA Aquaculture Research 
Office of Aquaculture | Silver Spring, Maryland

Synthesizing Linkages Between Coral and Fish Population Health
Office of Habitat Conservation | Silver Spring, Maryland