President Donald Trump’s proposed budget would eliminate federal funding for the Integrated Ocean Observing System’s regional operations, leaving boaters, scientists, and forecasters scrambling for crucial data.
The system, launched 20 years ago, gathers real-time ocean and weather data from buoys, submersible drones, radar installations, and more. It provides vital information to navigate treacherous harbors, plot tsunami escape routes, and predict hurricane intensity.
Captain Ed Enos, a harbor pilot in Hawaii, relies on the system’s data to guide ships safely into port. He warns that cutting federal funding would be “the last thing you should be shutting down.” The proposed cuts would also harm efforts to track toxic algal blooms, monitor water temperature, and identify hot zones for fishing.
The regional monitoring networks are not formal federal agencies but rely on federal grants through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Despite this, a Trump administration memo proposes a $2.5 billion cut to NOAA in 2026, which would eliminate funding for the networks.
NOAA officials declined to comment on the cuts, citing that they do not do “speculative interviews.” However, network directors are trying not to panic, exploring options such as selling data or soliciting grants from outside sources. If the associations fold, there will be gaps in data, and partnerships would evaporate.
The future of the regional networks remains unclear, with lawmakers having the power to decide whether to fund them after all.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/trump-budget-cuts-ocean-monitoring-system-tsunami-0eb81295bc50c0729590e0a3e32a860b