Reciprocity

A NOAA Reciprocity Diver from the University of Miami collects photos to be compiled into a photo mosaic of a reef near the Florida Keys.
NOAA divers often work with other partners during diving missions to increase the scope and impact of their efforts.
NOAA divers may only work with partners that have “reciprocity” agreements in place with the NOAA Diving Program. Before an agency or group of individuals can become a reciprocity partner, appropriate checks must be made beforehand to make sure all reciprocity divers understand and are following the NOAA safety standards and are properly equipped. In this way, all divers dive using the same standards and procedures, and can work safely as a team.
NOAA reciprocity agreements:
- Allow non-NOAA divers to participate in NOAA diving activities, and vice-versa, with minimal administrative requirements.
- Are established with other organizations only after it is determined their diving programs are equivalent to NOAA’s.
- Are only applicable to personnel employed and covered for medical treatment and Workers Compensation by reciprocity organizations.
- Are not transferable to other agencies or institutions that have separate reciprocity agreements with NOAA’s reciprocity partners.
- Expire on December 31st, 10 years after the year they were established. They must be re-established every 10 years.
Read more about establishing reciprocity agreements and administrative requirements.
NOAA employees should see the Reciprocity page on the NOAA Diving Program intranet for the most up to date information about current reciprocity partners.
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Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) |
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American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) |
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American Samoa Department of Marine & Wildlife Resources Coral Reef Advisory Group (DMWR/CRAG) |
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Bishop Museum (reciprocity is on standby) |
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Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) |
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California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) |
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California Department of Parks & Recreation (CDPR) |
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Coral Restoration Foundation |
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Florida International University (FIU) |
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Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) |
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Force Blue |
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Guam Department of Agriculture, Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR) |
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Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) |
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Indiana University |
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Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM)
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Moody Gardens |
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United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
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United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) |
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United States Geological Survey (USGS) |
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United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) |
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NOAA Diving Emergencies
855-UBA-DIVE
(855-822-3483)