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Safe and efficient ship navigation relies on comprehensive ocean data, as well as data tools and products that are built around that data. The U.S. Ocean Enterprise is the business sector that provides and delivers this critical information that supports not only navigation, but all activity that has contact with oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes. Credit: Aurelien/Adobe Stock
The U.S. Ocean Enterprise, a thriving ecosystem of businesses connected to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes monitoring, generates approximately $16.4 billion in revenue annually, according to NOAA's newly released U.S. Ocean Enterprise in 2025 report. This wide-ranging report identified more than 1,800 U.S. businesses engaged in the Ocean Enterprise, an increase of 75% since 2020.
Since 2015, NOAA’s U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System has conducted the study every five years to assess the size and scope of the private and not-for-profit businesses that support observation, measurement, and forecasting of the ocean. These businesses either produce the technologies that enable ocean observing — such as buoys or sensors — or take these data and deliver customized information essential to safe, economic, and environmentally sound development of the wider ocean economy.
NOAA’s Ocean Enterprise report is a powerful tool for understanding a rapidly expanding business sector critical to continuing growth of the wider U.S. ocean economy and its employment of more than 2.6 million Americans.The increase in revenue and participation in this sector represents a largely untapped market for federal and private partnerships to meet the growing demands of the nation.
The study helps NOAA and businesses in the Ocean Enterprise find new and advantageous opportunities for partnerships and collaboration. As the primary federal agency for ocean and atmospheric science, NOAA provides businesses with resources, operational validation and commercialization pathways; as private entities and businesses offer NOAA agility, broader data coverage, and more rapid research and development. Working together, these public-private partnerships can amplify the value, utility, and reach of the data, products and services each sector provides.
Visit NOAA’s Ocean Enterprise Study website to learn more about the study and to download the full 2025, 2020 and 2015 reports.
Media contact
NOAA National Ocean Service Public Affairs team at oceanservicepress@noaa.gov
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