WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), Don Young (R-AK-At-Large), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-1), and Bill Posey (R-FL-8) introduced the Coastal and Ocean Acidification Stressors and Threats Research Act (COAST Research Act) last week. This bill will update and reauthorize the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 and improve research and monitoring on ocean acidification to protect coastal communities. The following statement was issued by Sarah Cooley, Ph.D., Director of Ocean Conservancy’s Ocean Acidification Program:

“Americans depend on a healthy ocean. With evidence of changing ocean chemistry, it is critical that we support our best scientists to monitor and research ocean acidification. Millions of jobs and livelihoods, cultures and ways of life, from the Pacific Northwest’s shellfish industry to Florida’s coral reef tourism, depend on this work.

“Ocean Conservancy is proud to support this legislation, and thanks Reps. Bonamici, Young, Pingree, and Posey for working to secure federal government investments in ocean acidification research for another five years. This forward-thinking COAST Research Act will help communities better prepare for the potential effects from ocean and coastal acidification.”

###