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On August 10, 2003, five stranded pilot whales in the Florida Keys were returned to the ocean marking the first time that five whales have been released simultaneously from a single stranding incident in the United States. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers — ranging from local residents to tourists — and the efforts of NOAA Fisheries personnel, the nation was captivated by the story of these five creatures. News coverage was extensive starting with a pre-release media news conference on Friday, August 8 through the actual release on Sunday, August 10. Even several days after the release the media continued to post updates on the condition of the whales.

Roy Crabtree, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional director, prepares to brief the press on the pilot whale rescue effort.

To help raise the consciousness of influential Alaskans about mariculture in Alaska and to highlight Sea Grant's focus on coastal economic development, Alaska Sea Grant and the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program collaborated with the Alaskan Shellfish Growers Association to provide fresh farmed Alaska oysters and clams for an annual Military Appreciation Day Picnic in North Pole, Alaska, held on August 16. Among the 300 guests were U.S. senators Ted Stevens of Alaska and Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, as well as other officials. Sea Grant aquaculture specialist RaLonde helped arrange overnight air shipment of fresh oysters and clams to the picnic from Alaska farms in Prince William Sound and Southeast Alaska, some 400 to 700 miles away.

Shellfish farming, raising oysters, clams, and mussels, is poised to become one of Alaska's newest industries. The Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program is leading a statewide effort to transfer the knowledge and build the infrastructure needed to help entrepreneurs take advantage of the huge potential. As some Alaska commercial fishermen drop out of the fishing industry, shellfish mariculture is a good alternative which can keep them in a lifestyle connected to the sea. Demand for the product far outstrips supply.

Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska at the annual Military Appreciation Day Picnic in North Pole, Alaska, on August 16. Alaska Sea Grant and the Marine Advisory Program in collaboration with the Alaskan Shellfish Growers Association contributed Alaska-grown oysters and clams to the picnic.

Alaska Sea Grant aquaculture specialist Ray RaLonde, grills Alaska oysters at the Military Appreciation Day Picnic in North Pole, Alaska, as Sea Grant director, Dr. Brian Allee, and Sea Grant program coordinator, Adie Calahan, look on.

NOAA exhibited at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market show held in Salt Lake City, Utah, in August. At the show, NOAA rolled out its new PSA campaign for Personal Locator Beacons featuring adventure author/explorer Clive Cussler. NOAA also promoted NOAA Weather Radio and had a daily raffle for show attendees to win a new radio.

Hurricane Isabel became the subject of intense media interest starting on September 8 continuing through landfall on September 18 and its eventual demise as an organized tropical system. During that period personnel at NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service Eastern Region Headquarters, the Baltimore/Washington Weather Forecast Office, National Center for Environmental Prediction, and other NWS offices along Isabel’s path answered over 700 media inquiries.

Hurricane Specialist Miles Lawrence, NHC director Max Mayfield, an NBC News producer, and NBC weather reporter Al Roker discuss Hurricane Isabel at the Center’s Miami media studio. NHC provided live television updates on Isabel starting as early as 6:00 a.m. continuing near midnight, reaching millions of viewers through network and cable affiliates around the nation and the world.