Earlier this month, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski reintroduced the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act. The legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in the Senate and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and James Moylan (R-GU) in the House, focuses on coordination and collaboration between federal, state, local and tribal entities on ocean acidification research and monitoring.

As explained by Senator Murkowski’s office: The legislation directs NOAA to collaborate with and support state, local, and tribal entities that are conducting or have completed ocean acidification vulnerability assessments or research planning to build upon the existing activities. The bill strengthens partnerships between NOAA and a wide range of stakeholders involved in ocean acidification research, such as indigenous groups, coastal communities, state and local resource managers, fishery management councils and commissions, and the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS).

Fortunately NOAA’s Ocean Acidification program has already been prioritizing these partnerships which are actively in place and growing. The purpose of the legislation is to clarify the language and codify it into law. Partnerships and monitoring serve as a critical part of the response to ocean acidification along with broader action to drive down carbon emissions, the root cause of ocean acidification and climate change.

A version of the act passed the U.S. House in the 118th Congress.