National Science Foundation Retreats From Eliminating Ocean Monitoring System After Congressional Backlash

The National Science Foundation is reversing a decision to dismantle a vast ocean monitoring network after a backlash from Congress and the scientific community.The Ocean Observatories Initiative is a network of more than 900 instruments that deliver real-time data about the ocean’s geological, chemical, and biological variables and their contribution to the marine environment and the climate. The program is designed to answer questions on issues confronting the world’s vast oceans and what the results mean for the planet.The independent federal agency was established by Congress, and a range of groups and scientific publications rely on the data. Many were upset when the foundation announced in May that the program was being shut down decades earlier than planned. A bipartisan group of lawmakers fought those plans and on Thursday, the foundation announced its decision to keep the program intact. “Effective immediately, NSF will not proceed with further removal or descoping of equipment from the remaining arrays and will continue operations including planned maintenance,” reads a statement, noting the concerns that were raised.The foundation said it would also restore a system that had already been decommissioned. “While the Endurance Array has been removed from the water, we are developing plans to redeploy the equipment after servicing,” the statement continued.The program’s future had been in doubt since the start of the Trump administration. It had proposed to cut more than half of the funding to the agency in the fiscal year 2026 budget. Congress restored it but the cuts were proposed again for the new budget. The foundation said it is making changes to adjust to a smaller budget. It is also expected to convene an expert panel to assess observational needs, evaluate available data sources, and gather other input to help the agency identify a sustainable path for the ocean observing systems. “NSF remains committed to ocean sciences, to responsible stewardship of its research infrastructure and to supporting the stakeholders that depend on it,” the foundation said.The Senate recently passed a bill which would prohibit the use of federal funds to decommission the system until after a review of the network. “Dismantling the OOI was supreme stupidity, and we’ll keep fighting to ensure scientists, fishermen, and coastal communities can continue to utilize the critical data the OOI provides,” Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon said in a statement.Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska called the reversal “a massive win” for coastal communities. “The data accessed through OOI is important for so many, and I’m immensely grateful that NSF listened to our calls,” Ms. Murkowski said.

National Science Foundation Retreats From Eliminating Ocean Monitoring System After Congressional Backlash

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