Government Documents - Department of Commerce: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The National Weather Service (NWS) began as the Weather Bureau, part of the Department of Agriculture, in 1890. It was transferred to the Department of Commerce in 1940. In 1970, it became part of NOAA.

Government Documents holds an extensive collection of Weather Bureau and National Weather Service publications, including the following series:

Climatological data for the United States (C 30.18:)

Technical paper (C 30.28:)

Daily river stages (C 55.117:)

Monthly weather review (QC983 .A2)

United States meteorological yearbook (C 30.25:)

NOAA technical report NWS- (C 55.13:NWS-)

We also have a variety of general publications, pamphlets, and other NWS materials.

The National Ocean Service (NOS) was established in 1970. Its mission is "To provide science-based solutions through collaborative partnerships to address evolving economic, environmental, and social pressures on our oceans and coasts." NOS includes the following sub-agencies:

• Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services
• National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
• Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
• NOAA Coastal Services Center
• Office of National Geodetic Survey
• NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System Program
• Office of Coast Survey
• Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
• Office of Response and Restoration
• International Program Office
• NOS Management and Budget Office (MBO). 

Government Documents holds an extensive collection of NOS publications, including the following series:

Older nautical and aeronautical charts for the United States are kept in the Map Collection. Current charts and other products can be downloaded or ordered from NOAA agents. 

United States coast pilots (C 55.422:)

NOAA technical report NOS- (C 55.13:NOS-)

The NOS publishes a great deal of information on protecting coastal areas, oil spills, and national marine sanctuaries. Most of these publications are available online. We also have a selection of general publications, pamphlets, CD-ROMs, and other NOS publications.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was established in 1970. NMFS "is responsible for the management, conservation and protection of living marine resources within the United States' Exclusive Economic Zone (water three to 200 mile offshore)." Its main functions are to monitor fishing stocks and practices and to work towards recovery of endangered marine species. It also maintains fishery statistics. It took on the functions of the former Bureau of Commercial Fisheries under the Department of the Interior.

Government Documents holds an extensive collection of NMFS publications, including the following series:

NOAA technical report NMFS (C 55.13:NMFS-)

Circulars (C 55.304:) Formerly Fishery circulars, these publications cover conservation and management issues.

Marine fisheries review (C 55.310:) News items, trends, and developments in the fishery industry.

Fishery bulletin ( SH11 .A25, C 55.313:) Formerly Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Fisheries and Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission, these reports of scientific investigations into fish biology often contain detailed, colored illustrations of fish. Reports cover fisheries and other marine life in many parts of the world.

Fishery statistics of the United States (C 55.316:) Formerly Fishery industries of the United States

Special scientific report: fisheries (C 55.13:NMFS SSRF)

We also have a variety of laws, regulations, general publications, CD-ROMs, pamphlets, posters, and other NMFS materials.