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% [...]
Archive | June, 2020
POTUS Issues Memorandum on Safeguarding US Arctic, Antarctic Interests
President Trump today issued a Presidential Memorandum on “Safeguarding U.S. National Interests in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions.” Citing the need for a “ready, capable, and available fleet” of polar icebreakers that are ready for deployment by FY 2029, the Memorandum directs the development and execution of a polar security icebreaking fleet acquisition program. Specific actions include [...]
POTUS Removes Fishing Prohibition for Atlantic Marine Monument
President Trump today issued a Presidential Proclamation removing the prohibition on commercial fishing within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, finding that “appropriately managed commercial fishing would not put the objects of scientific and historical interest that the monument protects at risk” and that a prohibition on commercial fishing is not now necessary for the [...]
NOAA Releases Ocean Economy Data
NOAA today announced the release of new prototype data on the U.S. ocean economy, calling the statistics “the most comprehensive and accurate produced to date” that validate previous ocean economy estimates and concluding that the marine economy generated $373 billion in GDP in 2018 and outpaced overall GDP growth between 2017 and 2018 (5.8% marine-related GDP growth vs. 5.4% [...]
