OPA promotes science and diplomacy, improves maritime domain awareness, and safeguards the interests of the U.S. scientific community through the marine scientific research consent program.
- Annually, OPA facilitates diplomatic marine scientific research consent for U.S. scientists to conduct more than 300 research cruises in over 70 coastal States.
- OPA manages the review process which issues consent to dozens of foreign scientists a year to conduct research in U.S. waters.