June 12, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA:
NOAA today announced it will formalize and expand its longstanding partnership with Schmidt Ocean Instituteoffsite link to explore, characterize and map the deep ocean and boost public understanding of the global ocean.
“We are living through a technological revolution that has opened new opportunities to more comprehensively understand the largely unknown ocean,” said Retired Navy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and deputy NOAA administrator. “To take advantage of this, NOAA is building and strengthening partnerships such as the one with Schmidt Ocean Institute, which will help accelerate our mission to explore, characterize and map the United States Exclusive Economic Zone, promote marine protection, and unlock the potential of valuable resources to power the American Blue Economy.”
Schmidt Ocean Institute was established as a philanthropically-funded nonprofit in 2009 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt to advance oceanographic research through the development of innovative technologies, open sharing of information and broad communication about ocean health.