ICYMI: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Releases Slate of New Actions to Kick Off Ocean Month

Since Day One, the Biden-Harris Administration has advanced America’s leadership in ocean health and resilience, environmental justice, and policies that strengthen research opportunities. A thriving ocean holds immense benefits for all life, and President Biden has made clear that preserving this natural resource is key to protecting our livelihoods. In recognition of Ocean Month, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new actions across federal government to enhance ongoing efforts to address critical challenges that threaten the ocean’s future.

6/3/24: White House Releases New Strategies to Advance Sustainable Ocean Management

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy announced three new federal strategies that advance President Biden’s commitment to conserving and protecting the ocean, and harnessing its power to strengthen our economy and address the climate crisis. The National Strategy for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, National Ocean Biodiversity Strategy, and National Aquatic eDNA Strategy reflect a whole-of-government approach to addressing overfishing, warming from climate change, increased acidity due to carbon emissions, and loss of biodiversity.

6/5/24: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Announces the Designation of the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary 

NOAA announced that it is designating a 1,722-square-mile area in eastern Lake Ontario as America’s 16th national marine sanctuary. Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary—adjacent to New York’s Jefferson, Oswego, Cayuga and Wayne counties—will celebrate the region’s maritime cultural history and provide new opportunities for research, education, recreation and maritime heritage-related tourism in local coastal communities and the broader Great Lakes region.

6/6/24: The Bureau of Economic Analysis Announced the annual Marine Economy Satellite Account

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released data that showed the marine economy accounted for $476.2 billion of U.S. gross domestic product in 2022, an increase from $424.2 billion in 2021. The marine economy accounted for 1.7% in 2022, or $776.9 billion, of current-dollar gross output.

6/6/24: NOAA and the Department of Energy (DOE) Signed a New Agreement on Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal

NOAA and DOE signed a memorandum of agreement on future collaborations regarding marine carbon dioxide removal research and development. As a climate solution, marine carbon dioxide removal has potential to be an important pathway to achieve the broader Biden-Harris Administration goal for the United States to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This agreement will strengthen existing U.S. coordination of research efforts through the National Science and Technology Council’s Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Fast-Track Action Committee. 

6/6/24: The Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Announce Marine National Monument Management Plans

The Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries announced two management plans to guide the community stewardship and long-term collaborative management of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument and the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. Each of the management plans will guide efforts to engage partners, conserve and protect the marine ecosystems around the two monuments, and establish stewardship, research, exploration, engagement and education programs that further understanding and connect people to the unique ecosystems and its inhabitants. The two plans advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s America the Beautiful initiative to restore, connect, and conserve 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030.

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