SEATTLE (AP) — The National Science Foundation announced plans to dismantle a significant portion of the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a network of over 900 ocean sensors, by 2027. The initiative, which has been operational for more than a decade and cost $386 million, will see the removal of a research buoy from the Pacific Ocean on June 16. The foundation stated that this decision is part of a strategy to prioritize evolving scientific needs and emerging technologies. The initiative has provided valuable data on ocean circulation, marine ecosystems, and climate change, contributing to over 500 scientific publications. Ed Dever, a professor at Oregon State University, expressed concerns about the loss of critical information, particularly as an El Niño event is expected to impact the Pacific coast this summer. The initiative was designed to operate for 25 to 30 years, but the current budget cuts, which include a proposed 55% reduction in funding for the science foundation, have raised concerns about the future of basic scientific research in the U.S.
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National Science Foundation to Dismantle Ocean Observatories Initiative
The National Science Foundation will dismantle a significant portion of the Ocean Observatories Initiative, which has been collecting ocean data for over a decade. The decision is part of a broader strategy to adjust funding priorities, leading to concerns among scientists about the loss of critical data as climate events impact the Pacific coast.
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Scientists lose critical climate record as ocean observatory will go dark under Trump funding cuts
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National Science Foundation to Dismantle Ocean Observatories Initiative
