Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Representatives Chellie Pingree (ME-01) and James Moylan (R-GU) reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act. The legislation will strengthen coordination and collaboration between federal, state, local, and tribal entities on ocean acidification research and monitoring.
“The oceans are in trouble. Ocean acidification caused by carbon pollution is harming marine ecosystems and coastal industries like aquaculture,” said Whitehouse, Co-Chair of the Senate Oceans Caucus. “Our bipartisan legislation will assist in monitoring changes to the oceans and help us better understand how to protect Rhode Island’s blue economy from acidifying waters.”
“The impacts of ocean acidification on our coastal communities cannot be understated, particularly on our blue economy,” said Murkowski, Co-Chair of the Senate Oceans Caucus. “This legislation takes a holistic approach to understanding ocean acidification, encouraging experts from every walk of life to work together and ensure that our oceans stay healthy.”
The legislation would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to collaborate with and support state, local, and tribal entities that are conducting or have completed ocean acidification vulnerability assessments. The bill also strengthens partnerships between NOAA and a wide range of stakeholders involved in ocean acidification research, such as indigenous groups, coastal communities, state and local resource managers, fishery management councils and commissions, and the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System.
About thirty percent of carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean. The CO2 dissolves into seawater through a series of chemical reactions, increasing the overall acidity of the ocean. Increased seawater acidity hampers the growth and survival of young oysters and other shellfish by eating away at their shells. In 2017, Whitehouse conducted a science experiment on the Senate floor to show what happens when CO2 enters our oceans.
The Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act passed the House in the 118th Congress.
The full bill text is available here.
