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Washington, D.C. – Last week, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) announced the release of new strategies and recommendations to help advance ocean exploration. These recommendations were created following the November 19, 2019 Presidential Memorandum directing federal agencies to develop a national strategy to map the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the U.S, a plan to map the Alaskan coastline, and recommendations to streamline the permitting process for exploration of the ocean. Following OSTP’s announcement, House Oceans Caucus Co-Chair, Alaska Congressman Don Young, issued the following statement:

“Healthy oceans are essential to Alaska’s economy and way of life. Developing a deep understanding of our waters and ocean geography is critical for the protection of our environment and the countless mariners who make their living from the sea. I have been a long-time advocate for ocean mapping and exploration, and am very grateful to Co-Chair the House Oceans Caucus with my good friend, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. This Congress, I was very proud to see our Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System (ICOOS) Act pass the House, and will keep advocating for passage in the Senate so that the Integrated Ocean Observing System can continue being our eyes and ears in the ocean. There is much work to still be done on behalf of our oceans, but this announcement of policy recommendations by OSTP is good news as we continue to discover the untapped potential of our waters. I want to thank President Trump and the Administration for taking the issue of ocean mapping seriously. Ensuring that the Arctic, the EEZ, and other marine areas are fully mapped and navigable will continue to be one of my highest priorities; our economic prosperity, national security, and environmental health depend on it.”

For a fact sheet on the strategies and recommendations made by OSTP, click HERE.

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