Office Home Office Home About Us Key Topics HomeBureaus & Offices > Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs ...Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs hide Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs Ocean Our Mission The Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs (OPA) is a part of the State Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES). OPA is responsible for formulating and implementing U.S. policy on international issues concerning the ocean, the Arctic, and the Antarctic. Key Topics Law of the Sea Maritime Security Marine Environment Marine Science Arctic & Antarctic Law of the Sea OPA is responsible for developing, coordinating, negotiating, and implementing U.S. foreign policy with respect to the law of the sea and oversees the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) Project. OPA also maintains a list of maritime boundaries between the U.S. and other nations. Learn More about Law of the Sea Law of the Sea Maritime Security OPA works with U.S. agencies and international and nongovernmental organizations to coordinate U.S. foreign policy on maritime security. It also examines coastal States’ maritime claims and/or boundaries and assess their consistency with international law. Learn More about Maritime Security Maritime Security Marine Environment OPA promotes U.S. economic, security, and environmental interests by advancing international efforts to conserve and sustainably use the ocean and its resources. Learn More about Marine Environment Marine Environment Marine Science OPA develops, coordinates, negotiates, and implements U.S. foreign policy with respect to marine science and research, including Marine Scientific Research Authorizations. Learn More about Marine Scientific Research Marine Science Arctic & Antarctic OPA develops and implements U.S. foreign policy as it relates to the Arctic region; and it also leads United States participation in the Arctic Council, an intergovernmental forum of the eight Arctic States. OPA also develops and coordinates U.S. policy affecting the Antarctic region, working to ensure that the Antarctic continues to be reserved for peace and science and to conserve marine life in the Southern Ocean. Learn More about Polar Affairs Arctic & Antarctic