Capitol Hill Ocean Week took place virtually today, with a focus on biodiversity. In a series of prerecorded videos, Members of Congress commented on the following:
- Need for action to protect 30% of lands and 30% of the ocean by 2030 (Sen. Tom Udall [D-NM], Rep. Debra Haaland [D-NM]), with Udall also endorsing a 50% goal by 2050)
- Support for marine debris legislation (Udall, Haaland, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse [D-RI], Sen. Lisa Murkowski [R-AK])
- Support for legislation on marine data collection/monitoring and development of new monitoring technologies (Whitehouse, Murkowski)
- Passage of legislation so support direct air capture and blue carbon removal technology program (Whitehouse)
- Legislation to address Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, blue carbon, and funding for ocean programs (Murkowski)
- Need to address plastics, pollution, offshore drilling, and climate change (Sen. Angus King [D-ME])
- Support for moving to 100% clean energy and a permanent ban on drilling off Florida (Rep. Kathy Castor [D-FL])
- Protection of Florida’s waters to promote healthier, more biodiverse ecosystems (Rep. Brian Mast [R-FL])
- Opposition to offshore drilling and deregulatory actions and support for coral and Everglades restoration, climate change mitigation, and natural infrastructure investments (Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell [D-FL])
- Opposition to offshore oil and gas leasing off the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts (Rep. Joe Cunningham [D-SC])
- Importance of upholding the Endangered Species Act (Rep. Raul Grijalva [D-AZ])
- Innovative technologies for marine conservation and legislative efforts to reauthorize the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, encourage academic-federal government collaboration and partnerships (Rep. Jimmy Panetta [D-CA])
- Efforts to highlight impacts of climate change on oceans, hear from scientific experts, and engage in bipartisan efforts where possible (Rep. Jared Huffman [D-CA])
- Support for net zero emissions by 2050, blue carbon legislation, increased investments in marine energy research, development, and demonstration, and ocean acidification/harmful algal bloom research and monitoring (Rep. Suzanne Bonamici [D-OR])
- Support for reauthorization of Coral Reef Conservation Act (Rep. Ed Case [D-HI])
- Technology opportunities to explore the ocean (Rep. Joe Neguse [D-CO])
- The impacts of harmful algal blooms, rising water levels, pollution, coastal erosion, and climate change on the Great Lakes (Rep. Marcy Kaptur [D-OH])
Plenary sessions and concurrent breakout sessions addressed topics including how science and technology are advancing understanding of the marine environment, the role of protected areas in conserving biodiversity, and how to engage people as stewards. The role of marine protected areas in biodiversity efforts and related goals was a recurring theme.
Acting NOAA Administrator Dr. Neil Jacobs provided updates on the agency’s efforts to expand the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, designate new sanctuaries in Wisconsin and Lake Ontario, increase ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization, calculate the value of the ocean economy, and increase U.S. seafood competitiveness.
Deputy NOAA Administrator and Asst. Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere Tim Gallaudet highlighted NOAA efforts on ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization, regulatory reform, marine sanctuary expansion and designations, public-private partnerships in furtherance of ocean exploration, and science and technology focus areas.
