American Samoa delegate backs proposal to keep ocean monitors

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

As a coastal territory, American Samoa relies on scientific ocean data as predictive tools for its economic policy decisions and weather responses, Rep. Uifa’atali Amata Radewagen said in seeking the continuance of the ocean-monitoring platform.

Amata Radewagen

Radewagen co-sponsored Rep. Mike Ezell's bill that would reauthorize the Integrated Ocean Observing System, or

IOOS, with an annual funding of $56 million for the next five years.

“In American Samoa, we depend on the science of ocean observations for important data, such as wave measurements, leading to better services and decision-making in development or storm readiness,” said Radewagen, American Samoa’s delegate to the U.S. Congress.

“Quality IOOS data is important to all U.S. coastlines and all the U.S. territories. We have a buoy that gathers ocean information that is specially named in memory of longtime Port Director Chris King, who served American Samoa for many years,” she added.

IOOS is an integrated network of people and technology gathering, observing data and developing tracking of ocean activity.

"IOOS is essential to keeping coastal economies strong and resilient, especially in Mississippi,"  Ezell said. "This reauthorization ensures we maintain vital ocean monitoring resources while modernizing the program to maximize its impact. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to support jobs, commerce, and our nation’s leadership in ocean science."

Kristen Yarincik, executive director of the IOOS Association, said sustained ocean observations provide the information needed for a strong maritime economy, public safety and national security.

"The Integrated Ocean Observing System authorization creates a public-private partnership that provides freely accessible information to meet the tailored needs of local and regional ocean and Great Lakes users while simultaneously generating data that fortifies our national models and forecasts and supports the missions of all the ocean-related agencies," she said.

The proposed IOOS Reauthorization Act of 2025 includes updates to improve the program’s effectiveness, including:

• Clarifying the type of data IOOS provides as operational oceanographic information;

• Updating statutory references to reflect current law by replacing the National Ocean Research Leadership Council with the Ocean Policy Committee; and

• Enhancing the role of the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee to ensure IOOS is used to its full capacity as an integrated system.

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