The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s chief, Kathryn Sullivan, said her agency has focused on increasing the ability of coastal communities to cope with climate change and on monitoring how the marine ecosystem is being transformed. “Data are critical to all of it,” she said.
George Cooper, a lobbyist for the recreational-fishing industry, said NOAA has made strides but still overstates the economic impact of the commercial fishing industry by comparing the combined imported and domestic seafood trade to U.S. sport fishing.
Monica Medina, NOAA’s principal deputy undersecretary for oceans and atmosphere in Obama’s first term, said that the United States “has found new avenues to exert its influence and lead change in ocean policy globally,” including cracking down on illegal fishing by pressing for stricter ship verification through the International Maritime Organization.