Trump Administration’s Threats to Dismantle NOAA Are an Attack on Our Safety and Our Economy

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 20, 2025) “The Trump administration's threat to dismantle NOAA is an attack on the safety and wellbeing of American communities. Instead of working to improve weather forecasting and emergency alerts, expand the supply of sustainable seafood, and prevent flooding caused by sea level rise, this administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are focused on attacking dedicated scientists and public servants, with potential mass firings and a freeze on climate funding.  

“The Trump administration's plan to slash NOAA’s services includes making the millions of Americans who rely on NOAA every day pay for weather forecasts. Extreme weather events are increasingly frequent, and weather predictions and hurricane forecasts help keep our families safe. If NOAA operations are disrupted, communities and industries, including tourism, transportation, fishing and more will lose access to NOAA services and data they depend on. These industries contribute trillions of dollars to the U.S. economy, provide jobs for millions and provide nutritious food for American families. 

“Fishermen and NOAA have worked for decades to restore U.S. fisheries to sustainability. U.S. fisheries now provide healthy, nutritious food and support millions of livelihoods. NOAA—and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) within it—provides tools that help keep people safe, our oceans healthy, and our seafood supply sustainable. Removing these vital resources gambles with the livelihoods of fishermen, our marine ecosystems, and the health and prosperity of our communities.”   

• Sarah Poon, Associate Vice President, Resilient Fishery Solutions