Proposed NOAA Budget Cuts Threaten Vital Ocean Observing System, Mid-Atlantic Safety and Economy

The proposed budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) threaten to severely impact the nation’s Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), including its 11 regional associations, of which MARACOOS is one. The proposed funding reductions could eliminate essential ocean and coastal observation services that protect lives, sustain economic growth, and safeguard public health across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond.

What’s at stake for the Mid-Atlantic region?

• Public Safety: Real-time ocean and weather data delivered by MARACOOS powers storm tracking, maritime navigation, and search and rescue operations for emergency managers and the U.S. Coast Guard. Without this critical information, communities face heightened threats to life and property during extreme weather and maritime emergencies.
• Economic Security: MARACOOS provides ocean observations that directly support maritime commerce, commercial fisheries, and port operations—sectors driving billions in economic activity throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Funding cuts could disrupt shipping routes, fisheries management, and port efficiency, undermining regional and national economic stability.
• Public Health: Defunding ocean observing would weaken early detection systems for harmful algal blooms, coastal water quality monitoring, and ocean acidification tracking. These capabilities are vital to protecting seafood safety, drinking water supplies, and public health for coastal communities nationwide.

For over 20 years, MARACOOS has served as the Mid-Atlantic’s trusted source for ocean and coastal data, delivering tools and services that support maritime safety, emergency preparedness, fisheries, offshore energy development, water quality monitoring, and weather forecasting. As a collaborative network of academic institutions, government agencies, and industry partners, MARACOOS transforms ocean data into actionable information that strengthens community resilience and informs decision-making.

Your voice matters—help protect our coasts, communities, and economy:

• Contact your representatives to advocate for sustained investment in ocean observing systems that power public safety, economic resilience, and environmental protection. Find your representatives here.
• Share this story and amplify the importance of reliable ocean data in safeguarding lives and livelihoods.
• Submit a testimonial to showcase how ocean observing benefits you and your community. Submit here.

Continued investment in IOOS and MARACOOS ensures safer, healthier, and more prosperous Mid-Atlantic coasts—now and for future generations.