The Bush Administration announced on 26 January major budget increases totalling more than $140 million to support coastal and marine conservation efforts in Fiscal Year 2008, and released the administration''s Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy.
"President Bush has a bold vision to clean up our oceans and coastlines," U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez said. "Whether for fishing, tourism, recreation or trade, oceans are a treasured part of America 's life and economy. With these additional resources and the new Ocean Research Priorities Plan, NOAA will be able to expand its research and implement plans to better protect our oceans, fish and ecosystems."
The President's Fiscal Year 2008 Budget requests more than $140 million over the 2007 budget request level for high priority projects that will advance ocean science and research, protect and restore sensitive marine and coastal areas, ensure sustainable use of ocean resources and enhance domestic seafood supply through an environmentally sustainable offshore aquaculture industry.
Specifically, the President's budget increases programs at the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by $123 million, including:
• $25 million for sustainable use of ocean resources
• $38 million for protection and restoration of marine and coastal areas
• $60 million for enhanced ocean science and research
• $20 million for the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Geological Survey to implement the Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy (ORPP)
Of these funds, the Interior Department's U.S. Geological Survey will be provided $3 million for research, sea floor mapping, forecast models, and water quality monitoring in key coastal areas such as the Gulf of Mexico and the Chesapeake Bay.
The officials also released a progress report, "The U.S. Ocean Action Plan and Implementation Update," and cited significant accomplishments from the Ocean Action Plan including:
• The designation of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument by President Bush on June 15, 2006.
• The passage in late 2006 of the Magnuson - Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act that governs fishery management activities in federal waters and established a firm deadline to end overfishing. It also increases use of market-based management tools, creates a national saltwater angler registry, and emphasizes an ecosystem approach to management.
• The development of a forecasting system for harmful algal blooms.
• Efforts to improve federal-regional planning including the formation of the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force and the Gulf of Mexico Alliance.
