U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced a bill on Thursday that would promote collaboration among groups that oversee the Gulf of Mexico’s marine ecosystem.
Under the Gulf States Protection and Restoration Coordination Act, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) would be designated a regional coordination entity of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The move is designed to improve the coordination of volunteer, state and federal efforts to ensure the health of the Gulf of Mexico’s ecosystem.
“Gulf states share a vision for a healthy and resilient coastline,” Wicker said. “This bill would help unify the Gulf Coast’s restoration efforts, in addition to strengthening collaborative management and research. With such a large marine ecosystem, we should maximize our opportunities for improved consultation and mutual support.”
GOMA was established in 2004 as a regional partnership network. The group works to protect, maintain and restore the health of the gulf in a way that’s consistent with the region’s economic wellbeing.
The Gulf States Protection and Restoration Coordination Act aims to enhance cooperative voluntary restoration efforts and to expand federal support without authorizing new legal or regulatory authorities. Designating GOMA a regional coordination entity of NOAA would eliminate duplicative efforts of the two entities.