The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has awarded USD 20 million (EUR 19 million) in Inflation Reduction Act funding to regional fishery management councils around the country as part of its ongoing Investing in America agenda.
“Regional fishery management councils are some of NOAA’s most critical partners that help develop conservation and management measures for our nation’s marine fisheries,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said. “This USD 20 million investment, made possible thanks to President Biden’s historic Inflation Reduction Act, will support councils in their important work to incorporate fishery management measures and processes necessary to improve climate resiliency and responsiveness as we tackle the impacts of climate change.”
Each of the eight councils will receive roughly USD 1 million to USD 3 million (EUR 925,000 to EUR 2.8 million) in funding for prioritized climate work, depending on the needs of their proposed projects. Projects range from conducing fish climate vulnerability assessments to implementing climate scenario planning recommendations.
“The regional fishery management councils have a vested interest in ensuring the nation’s fisheries are responsive to climate change,” NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit said. “We are committed to continuing our work with our council partners, using the best available science to develop and implement fisheries management strategies that are more adaptive to climate impacts.”
This funding is part of the roughly USD 2.6 billion (EUR 2.4 billion) framework the Biden administration announced in June 2023 using funding to invest in coastal climate resilience. The USD 20 million for regional fishery management councils was first announced in October, when councils were invited to submit proposals for funding.
