Ocean Research Advisory Panel

The Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP) advises the Ocean Policy Committee (OPC) and provides independent recommendations to the Federal Government on matters of ocean policy. Membership consists of individuals who represent the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine; individuals who represent the views of ocean industries, state, tribal, territorial or local governments, and academia, and such other views as the co-chairs of OPC consider appropriate; and individuals eminent in the fields of marine science, marine technology, and marine policy, or related fields. The ORAP membership reflects a balance of academic, scientific, and geographic interests.

Authority 

Congress directed the establishment of the ORAP in Section 1055(c) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Pub. L. 116-283), 10 U.S.C. 8933. 

Designated Federal Officer (DFO) 

• Viviane Silva, NOAA Research, Office of Science Support

The ORAP carries out its activities subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq., which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees. Sections 10(e) and (f) of the FACA, 5 U.S.C. §§ 1009(e) and (f), direct the head of the agency responsible for an advisory committee to designate an officer or employee of the Federal Government to ensure committee compliance with FACA, and any other applicable laws and regulations. 

The Designated Federal Officer (DFO) Team supports the day-to-day operations of the ORAP.