FLORIDA NEEDS NOAA: Statewide Tour Sounds Alarm as Proposed Federal Cuts Threaten Hurricane Forecasting, Red Tide Response and Florida’s Coastal Economy

Statewide Tour Sounds Alarm as Proposed Federal Cuts Threaten Hurricane Forecasting, Red Tide Response and Florida’s Coastal Economy

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – As Florida enters another hurricane season, Ocean Conservancy is launching the statewide “Florida Needs NOAA” tour to spotlight the critical role the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plays in protecting lives, strengthening disaster preparedness and supporting Florida’s economy and coastal environment. The tour comes as proposed federal budget cuts threaten programs tied to hurricane forecasting, flood preparedness, harmful algal bloom monitoring, coral reef restoration and marine wildlife response efforts across the state.

At tour stops across Florida, including St. Petersburg, Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Miami, Ocean Conservancy will highlight what those cuts could mean for communities that rely on NOAA data, science and forecasting every day, including storm surge warnings, flood planning, fisheries management, coastal research and marine ecosystem protection. Advocates are urging Congress to reject the proposed cuts and fully fund NOAA programs that millions of Floridians depend on.

FLORIDA PROGRAMS, COMMUNITIES AND INDUSTRIES THAT COULD BE IMPACTED:

• National Hurricane Center forecasting and storm surge warnings

• Red tide and harmful algal bloom monitoring in Gulf Coast communities

• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

• Coral reef restoration along the Florida Reef Tract

• Marine mammal rescue and stranding response statewide

• Coastal flood forecasting and resilience planning

• Commercial and recreational fishing industries

• Ports, marinas and boating infrastructure

• Tourism economies dependent on healthy beaches and waterways

• University led marine and hurricane research partnerships across Florida

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ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY  

For more than 50 years, Ocean Conservancy has delivered effective, evidence-based solutions for the ocean and all who depend on it. Today, we continue to unite science, people and policy to protect our ocean from the greatest challenges it faces: climate change, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. We are a 501(C)3 headquartered in Washington, D.C. that inspires a worldwide network of partners, advocates and supporters through our comprehensive and clear-eyed approach to ocean conservation. Together, we are securing a healthy ocean and a thriving planet, forever and for everyone. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky or Instagram.