With the release Thursday of the President’s Budget Proposal, it is clear that federal agency budgets, regulation enforcement, and regional conservation initiatives are in serious jeopardy. [See table below for details of fisheries-related budget cuts.]
As interpreted by the Washington Post: “Climate change and ocean research would suffer sharp cuts… a reduction of 16 percent, or $1.5 billion, much of that targeted at the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration… eliminate $250 million in coastal research programs that prepare communities for rising seas and worsening storms, including the popular $73 million Sea Grant program, which works with universities in 33 states.”
Further, the “Trump budget proposal does not specify the extent of cuts to NOAA’s satellite programs, but those also appear likely to be substantial… Two other key NOAA divisions–the National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Weather Service–appear to escape with more minor cuts.”
As we look ahead, toward protecting our country’s fisheries and aquatic resources, AFS will be exploring solutions beyond the proposed perimeters. AFS will be watchful as more unfolds on Endangered Species Act programs, ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management, coastal fish habitat efforts–all of which have benefited from programs targeted in the proposed budget.
Department or Agency | Percent Change | Potential Fisheries Impacts |
Department of Agriculture
|
-21% |
|
Department of Commerce
|
-16% |
|
Department of the Interior
|
-12% |
|
Environmental Protection Agency |
-31% |
|
Explanatory note: This information in this table was taken from the Office of Management and Budget (White House) document, “America First – A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again” (https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/omb/budget/fy2018/2018_blueprint.pdf ).
Additional interpretations of the document can be found at:
ESA Federal Budget Tracker: http://www.esa.org/esablog/federal-budget-tracker-for-fy-2018/
TRCP: http://www.trcp.org/2017/03/16/trumps-proposed-budget-cut-conservation-right-needed/