OAI Expands to All NOAA Fisheries Science Centers with First SEFSC Award
Ocean Associates, Inc. (OAI) is pleased to announce the award of its first task order supporting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Marine Mammal and Turtle Division (MMTD). With this award, OAI has now won awards supporting all NMFS Science Centers nationwide, reflecting the breadth of our experience and longstanding commitment to supporting NOAA Fisheries and its science mission.
"This is a major milestone for OAI," said Founder and President Dr. John Everett. CEO Juleen Savarese stated, "Securing our first award with the SEFSC officially completes our presence across every NMFS Science Center—a proud moment for our entire team."
Under this award, OAI will provide specialized scientific expertise, technical innovation, and field support to advance the conservation and recovery of protected marine mammals and sea turtles under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Key Focus Areas & Capabilities:
- Advanced Science: Conducting passive acoustic monitoring, spatial statistical modeling, and genomic and environmental eDNA analyses.
- Field Operations: Executing vessel-based, aerial, and autonomous research missions across the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean.
- Data Innovation: Implementing FAIR-compliant cloud data management systems.
- Species Recovery: Supporting stock assessments, restoration evaluations, and long-term population monitoring for endangered species, including Rice’s whales, sperm whales, and North Atlantic right whales.
OAI is honored to expand our partnership with NOAA Fisheries, providing the scientific expertise, technical innovation, and field capabilities needed to safeguard vulnerable marine life and promote resilient ocean ecosystems.