May 2024 | The Water Column

By Haley McQueen, Editor, ECO Magazine

The first quarter of the year was a busy one marked with interesting research findings, company announcements, and policy updates, all of which continue to push the applied marine science sector forward.

Heat Takes a Toll

Changes in global temperatures continue to trend in headlines. More notably, in early April, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed the fourth global event of coral bleaching on record. Since early 2023, coral bleaching has been as being far reaching through the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Assessments on coral mortality and recovery will continue to progress in the hope of informing mitigation and improving overall understanding. Outside of corals, recent research is also linking changes in sea temperatures to changes in behavior, diversity, and regionality of species like fish, octopus, and macroalgae.

Winds of Change, Finally?

The US offshore wind industry, even with its challenges and setbacks, continues to gather momentum. Marking a major milestone in the US offshore wind market, South Fork Wind became the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm to come online, in March 2024. Following this achievement, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) new five-year offshore wind leasing schedule at Oceantic Network’s International Partnering Forum (IPF) 2024. Outside of federal support, investments made by states continue to push forward market viability and a foundational supply chain.

A Hit to US-Based Ocean Observing

The Fiscal Year 2025 President’s Budget—requested to Congress—proposed cuts to the US Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) by a whopping 76%. IOOS and its 11 regional networks—Alaska (AOOS), Caribbean (CARICOOS), Central and Northern California (CeNCOOS), Gulf of Mexico (GCOOS), Great Lakes (GLOS), Mid-Atlantic (MARACOOS), Pacific Northwest (NANOOS), Northeast (NERACOOS), Pacific Islands (PacIOOS), Southern California (SCCOOS), Southeast Atlantic (SECOORA)—provide near real-time data and information critical for understanding and predictions related to storms, wave height, sea level, harmful algal blooms, and more. IOOS has boasted a successful and functioning federal-academic-industry collaborative relationship, but the proposed decrease in federal funding is sure to trigger concern. Will this compromise current ocean observing efforts, or does it present an opportunity for industry stakeholders to fill the gap?

While notable cuts were flagged, there also seem to be clear goals supporting progress for offshore energy development with increases to BOEM and the Department of Energy (DOE), about 15% and 1.5%, respectively. Appropriations requests for the fiscal year 2025 have deadlines in early May.

Spaces we’re watching: ocean funding, marine instruments, water quality regulations

You’ll find news and insights on all the above in “The Water Column”—an exclusive editorial column dedicated to giving our readers an alternate, bird’s eye view of the most significant happenings across the marine science, industry, and policy space. To keep abreast of all the latest developments, access The Water Column in print editions of ECO Magazine, nestled among the pages of Environmental Policy news, and in a monthly circulating digital edition found on LinkedIn and our website.