Experts and Lawmakers Say NOAA Cuts Could Impact Fisheries

The U.S. Capitol building sits in the background. In the foreground is a street sign that says First St and Yield.

Civil Eats reports that, after DOGE’s staff purge of hundreds of NOAA employees, experts and lawmakers say everything from weather forecasting to fisheries regulation to climate research could be at risk. The cuts hit all NOAA offices, including the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), which helps manage overfishing, regulates seafood safety, and tracks ocean health.

Now, lawmakers like Representatives Seth Magaziner and Jared Huffman are pushing for investigations, with Huffman expressing concern over NOAA’s climate work — especially since staff were reportedly told to flag grants that mention climate change.

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