LA JOLLA (KGTV) — You’ve heard the saying about the abundance of fish in the sea? Each year, researchers venture into the ocean to gather data that helps prevent overfishing.
“This data allows us to determine how many fish we can sustainably harvest and how many we should leave in the water to ensure future populations,” explained Brice Semmens from Scripps Institute of Oceanography.
However, Semmens warns that this critical work is at risk. Following an order from the Trump administration, staffing cuts were mandated at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, commonly referred to as NOAA.
“If we lose these resources, we jeopardize a significant economic engine that the ocean offers here in Southern California,” Semmens stated.
As the Director of California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations, or Cal COFI, which is the largest and longest-running ocean ecosystem monitoring initiative, he noted that many NOAA technicians vital to their efforts have been laid off due to recent federal budget reductions.
“What will happen without these technicians?”
“We are working to bring these technicians onto the Scripps Oceanography team at UC San Diego temporarily. Although we’re unsure about the funding, it is essential for maintaining continuity in our program,” he added.
Semmens also mentioned that their program has played a role in monitoring pollutants released into the ocean following the Los Angeles fires and their impact on local wildlife. While he assures that they will continue Their work, the potential long-term financial consequences may be significant.
