WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following statement was issued by Addie Haughey (@addietime), Associate Director of Government Relations at Ocean Conservancy, in reaction to the proposed 16% budget cut to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by the Trump administration:

“The Trump administration’s proposed cuts to NOAA are unacceptable. Eliminating key federal programs like Sea Grant and the Coastal Zone Management program will put coastal communities across the nation at risk as the need to adapt to climate change reaches critical levels.

These cuts would eliminate support for research and services along our coasts and on the water that provide daily support for fishermen, the maritime community, municipal managers, coastal tourism and other ocean related businesses. These proposed cuts must be rejected by Congress. Instead, we need to invest in a healthy ocean that can support the people who depend on it and benefit our nation’s economy.”

###

Addie Haughey is available for interviews upon request.

Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it.For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.