As part of our community-driven exploration model, NOAA Ocean Exploration invites you to view our proposed operational areas* for 2026 and submit recommendations for acoustic mapping and exploration operations on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer in the Pacific Islands.
These expeditions will contribute to the Beyond the Blue: Illuminating the Pacific campaign. This multifaceted science campaign is designed to explore and raise collective knowledge and understanding of waters in the Pacific Islands region, which have been identified as a priority for exploration and characterization. By responding to this call for input with mapping requests and dive target areas for NOAA Ocean Exploration to consider in the design of upcoming expeditions, you may be able to contribute to the campaign and advance your own scientific interests.
In 2026, NOAA Ocean Exploration is proposing operational areas off the Hawaiian Islands, Jarvis Island, American Samoa, and the Cook Islands**. These areas signify broad regions of interest that will be honed into detailed expedition plans, utilizing data collected from this call for input, regional gap analyses, and priorities established by local communities within operational regions.
Due date for recommendations:
- October 15, 2025.
Please review our proposed operational areas and provide your recommendations through NOAA Ocean Exploration’s Survey123 Call for Input form. Survey123 is a web-based GIS tool powered by ArcGIS Online that allows users to submit their input by drawing on a map that shows our general operating areas, previous surveys, managed areas, and regional maritime boundaries. Users can also submit areas of interest in .zip folders containing geospatial files via a document upload area in the forms. For help developing and submitting your recommendations, review the instructions for using Survey123 as well as Okeanos Explorer‘s operational capabilities (pdf, 8.11 MB).
Following consideration of all submissions, NOAA Ocean Exploration will design the 2026 field season with the identified priorities in mind.
If your request contains sensitive underwater cultural heritage data or information, please email it directly to archaeology.oceanexploration@noaa.gov for review by NOAA Ocean Exploration’s Marine Archaeologist, Phil Hartmeyer.
Please note that submission does not guarantee that NOAA Ocean Exploration will be able to act on your recommendations. All recommendations will be balanced with other NOAA Ocean Exploration and community priorities. Recommendations will be distributed across the expedition schedule and will be refined during collaborative planning conference calls.
NOAA Ocean Exploration encourages anyone who submits recommendations to join expeditions of interest as a member of the shore-based science team.
If you need help with your submission, please contact Logan Kline (logan.kline@noaa.gov). If you wish to further discuss science interests, contact the Beyond the Blue Executive Secretary, Gretchen Spencer (gretchen.spencer@noaa.gov).
We value your input and look forward to your participation in our upcoming expeditions.
* All proposed operational areas for 2026 are notional and are subject to change.
** Any proposed expeditions in areas under foreign State jurisdiction will be coordinated, as necessary, through the U.S. Department of State.
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