The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, Dec. 10, passed the Integrated Coastal Ocean Observing System Act, aimed at improving data collection and information sharing between federal agencies and coastal observation partners.
The legislation, part of HR 729, the Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act, was introduced by Representatives Don Young, R-Alaska, and Suzanne Bonamici, D-OR, co-chairs of the House Oceans Caucus.
The integrated Ocean Observation System that helps to make maritime commerce possible, Young said.
“Equipping our fishermen and ship captains with the best possible data is essential to making our waters safer and more navigable. Accurate data collection is also critical to maritime search and rescue operations, the health of fisheries, and the mitigation of coastal hazards.”
