WASHINGTON, DC [09/12/17] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), co-chair of the bipartisan Oceans Caucus, announced that her provisions to increase funding for research and monitoring of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and ocean acidification were included in the House bill to set funding levels for Fiscal Year 2018.
The House accepted Bonamici’s two amendments to the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill. One amendment increases funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Ocean Service to do coastal monitoring and assessment of harmful algal blooms, which can lead to toxins that shut down shellfish harvests. The other amendment increases funding for NOAA’s ocean acidification program to help coastal communities respond to and better understand changing ocean conditions and how they affect fisheries and ocean health.
“Oregon’s economic vitality is dependent on the health of our oceans and coastal communities,” said Congresswoman Bonamici. “Ocean acidification and harmful algal blooms threaten ocean health, the tourism industry, and our valuable fisheries. Increasing funding for NOAA’s ocean acidification and harmful algal blooms programs will give our coastal communities additional resources to help understand and address these threats.”
You can watch Bonamici’s remarks on the floor here.
Bonamici is the top Democrat on the Science Committee’s Environment Subcommittee and is the co-chair of the bipartisan Oceans Caucus. In Congress, Bonamici is working to draw attention to issues that affect coastal communities, including ocean acidification, tsunami and earthquakes, extreme weather events, and marine debris. She has received the Leadership Award from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation for her work on ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms, and mitigating the effects of climate change.
http://www.bonamici.house.gov, 12 September 2017. Press release.
