National Oceanic Society (NOS) is a non profit marine conservation organization founded in 1995 by three friends from Orange County, California : Mike Sullivan, Bill DeNisi and Warner Younis. After diving the Southern California coastal waters together for over 30 years, they decided it was time to do something to stop the damage we humans are causing to the ocean. They remembered when the Southern California water they dove in was clean and clear, with visibility up to 100 feet. Now, some days you can hardly see your hand in front of your face.
In the early years of the organization, they combined their efforts with marine mammal specialist, Dr. Michael Poole, an American living in Moorea, French Polynesia.
Our small staff, headed by Gloria Sullivan, all work on a volunteer basis. Advisors include Dr. Noel Davis, a marine biologist and wetlands specialist with over 20 years experience in managing estuarine, freshwater, and oceanographic environmental studies.
Our purpose is:
- To develop on the part of the general population an awareness and appreciation of the sensitive nature of our planet's life sustaining marine environment.
- To promote the fundamental concepts of marine conservation and preservation through education.
- To materially support education, research and scientific study of our marine environment.
- To assist governmental agencies in the monitoring and detection of activities or conditions which may be considered hazardous and harmful to our marine environment.