Ocean Programs Under-Funded in Appropriations Bill

Climate change, overfishing and habitat destruction threaten the future of our ocean

December 19,  2007

Media Contact: Tom McCann

Washington, DC—Congress passed and President Bush is expected to sign an Omnibus Appropriations Bill this week that includes funding for programs within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). While the bill provides a modest increase over last year’s funding, and will ensure a base of support for critical programs like National Marine Sanctuaries, marine mammal protection, and the coral reef program, overall funding for NOAA in the Omnibus bill is still not sufficient to address the additional substantial needs of the agency to address current challenges.

“The health of our oceans is facing mounting threats posed by climate change, overfishing, and habitat destruction. We are disappointed that Congress could not provide the additional funding needed for NOAA programs that help ensure sustainable use of ocean resources and make the marine environment more resilient to the threat of climate change,” said Vikki Spruill, President and CEO of Ocean Conservancy.

The ocean is the engine that drives our planet’s climate. It is our life support system, providing much of the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the resources we depend on for life every day. The ocean will also be the first ecosystem to suffer widespread effects of global climate change. The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, a collaborative of two blue ribbon panels that identified the major challenges confronting our ocean resources, has said NOAA needs $4.5 billion in order to address the decline in ocean health and start it on the road to recovery.

“Continued under funding for ocean protection is a mistake future generations can not afford,” continued Spruill.