Caucus launched to promote national marine sanctuaries

October 21, 2021

Two House members have teamed up to create a bipartisan National Marine Sanctuary Caucus that will aim to promote the preservation of marine and freshwater habitats in Congress.

The co-chairs of the caucus, Reps. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) — who heads the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife — and Garret Graves (R-La.) said they’ve already lined up 32 other House members — 27 Democrats and five Republicans — to join their effort.

In a statement, the congressmen said that sanctuaries now generate $8 billion annually in local economies and support jobs and businesses related to fishing, diving, tourism, recreation and scientific research.

They said the caucus will coordinate efforts “to raise congressional awareness and understanding of national marine sanctuaries and their role in sustaining healthy oceans.”

“National marine sanctuaries are treasured areas that protect natural, historical, and cultural places in the oceans and Great Lakes,” said Huffman, who has two sanctuaries in his district.

Graves said the caucus will expand on the nation’s conservation efforts, adding that “productive coastal economies in Louisiana and across our country are dependent on fishing, tourism, recreation and scientific research.”

NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for the sanctuaries, a network of underwater parks that encompasses more than 600,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters. Currently, the network includes a system of 15 national marine sanctuaries, along with Papah?naumoku?kea and Rose Atoll marine national monuments.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation said the creation of the caucus comes in advance of the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act in October 2022. The foundation said the anniversary theme, “Save Spectacular,” will feature “a year-long celebration of our great waters, inviting all people to discover the wonders of national marine sanctuaries and work together as stewards to conserve our ocean and Great Lakes.”

Kris Sarri, president and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, said the new caucus signals “a strong commitment to raising awareness of sanctuaries and prioritizing sanctuary issues on behalf of communities and our nation.”

“National marine sanctuaries and monuments are our essential network of protected waters owned by every American,” Sarri said. “They sustain miraculous species, coastal communities and our shared heritage.”

 


By:  Rob Hotakainen
Source: E&E Daily