What We Do
The Southeast Fisheries Science Center works to balance the needs of nature and society through integrated, interdisciplinary science to support current and future generations in the Southeast. We work across all of our divisions to conduct holistic science and research in support of national initiatives to ensure our science is meeting the needs of our nation.
Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Science
We conduct science to support Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S. Caribbean. This research helps us better understand how marine ecosystems function and how their components interact. We also evaluate how management actions and human impacts may affect the ecosystem holistically.
Learn more about science to support Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management in the Southeast Region.
Climate Change Impacts
Studying the effects of climate change is especially important in our region, where increasing water temperatures are already driving shifts in our marine resources and ecosystems. Our teams are working hard to integrate these concerns into our research and monitoring efforts so we can better understand and plan for these effects into the future.
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
All of our divisions have been involved in research evaluating the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on our marine resources—from deepwater habitats to protected species. We collected data to determine the extent and magnitude of injuries from the spill, and are informing the planning and implementation of restoration projects across the Gulf of Mexico.
Offshore Wind
NOAA Fisheries is proactively planning for future offshore wind development in the southeast United States to avoid and minimize impacts to marine ecosystems, fisheries, coastal communities, protected species, and our scientific surveys.
Social Science Research
Our Social Science Research Group also works across divisions to integrate public feedback into our work to ensure our science is meeting the needs of our nation. This work includes socioeconomic and cultural research on the use and management of living marine resources.