The US’s Department of Commerce and NOAA have pledged US$20 million to help regional fishery management councils tackle the impacts of climate change.
These funds, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, are made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, said to be the largest climate investment in history. Each council will receive approximately US$1–US$3 million in funding based on their final project proposals.
“Regional fishery management councils are some of NOAA’s most critical partners that help develop conservation and management measures for our nation’s marine fisheries,” said US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
“This $20 million investment will support councils in their important work to incorporate the fishery management measures and processes necessary to improve climate resiliency and responsiveness as we tackle the impacts of climate change.”
The councils have identified a range of projects to help combat the effects of climate change which will focus on developing and implementing:
- Fish climate vulnerability assessments
- Management changes or processes that address climate vulnerability or improve climate resiliency of fisheries.
- Climate-related fisheries management planning and implementation efforts, including those in support of underserved communities.
“The regional fishery management councils have a vested interest in ensuring the nation’s fisheries are responsive to climate change,” said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries.
“We are committed to continue our work with our council partners, using the best available science to develop and implement fisheries management strategies that are more adaptive to climate impacts.”
NOAA Fisheries first announced this funding in October 2023. This latest tranche is part of the historic US$3.3 billion in investments, announced in June 2023, to help the US combat the effects of climate change.
