![](media/image1.jpeg){width="0.9964566929133858in"
height="0.9208661417322834in"}**What is requested?** The FY 2008 budget
request for the NOAA Ecosystem Goal totals \$1,149.6M, reflecting a net
increase of \$94.9M over the FY 2007 President's Budget, which is a
decrease of \$128.4M from the FY 2006 enacted level. The goal integrates
NOAA resources to make progress on two key strategic outcomes: 1)
Healthy and productive coastal and marine ecosystems that benefit
society, and 2) A well-informed public that acts as a steward of coastal
and marine ecosystems. Increases support Ecosystem activities across the
National Marine Fisheries Service, the National Ocean Service, and the
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. Requested program funding
increases by Program include \$3M for Aquaculture, \$28M for Coastal and
Marine Resources, \$30M for Ecosystem Observations and Research, \$12M
for Fisheries Management, \$10M for Habitat Conservation, and \$5M for
Protected Species Management.

**What are the benefits?** This request will improve information for
determining the impacts of national and energy security activities on
marine mammals. It will improve understanding of factors affecting
recovery of right whales and Pacific salmon and strengthen stock
assessments and reduce overcapacity leading to more fisheries managed at
sustainable levels. A better understanding will be gained of marine
ecosystem response to management strategies. The request also includes
funds to rebuild Penobscott River fisheries, including Atlantic salmon
and American shad, while maintaining hydropower production; and funds to
promote sustainable marine aquaculture. Regional coastal resource
priorities will also be address in the Gulf of Mexico. New technologies
will be developed, including expertise for science-based warning systems
to decrease human health risks and genomic tools and biosensors for
marine ecosystem studies. Furthermore, this request includes funds for
exploring, defining the limits, and determining the economic potential
of the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf.

**Why do we need it?** One of NOAA's primary missions is to, "protect,
restore, and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through an
ecosystem approach to management," consistent with existing mandates,
direction in the U.S Ocean Action Plan and the U.S Commission on Ocean
Policy's 2004 Report, and Administration Priorities related to the Ocean
Research Priorities Plan, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National
Monument, and Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization. Improving the
condition of trust resources based on ecosystem principles requires
improving the monitoring, characterization, and integration of
scientific information about ecosystem components, in addition to
improving coordination and management of those resources. Increases
provide resources for NOAA to meet existing mandate and support
advancements in ecosystem approaches to management.

**What will we do?** Assess acoustic impacts on protected species from
proposed activities related to defense readiness and energy exploration;
increase market-based systems for fisheries management; develop marine
ecosystem forecasts (ORPP priority); conduct crustacean research and
monitoring in Alaska; supply observers for New England groundfish and
Atlantic sea scallops; develop a regulatory program for marine
aquaculture; conduct research on foraging behavior of and gear
interactions with right whales; advance recovery planning and
implementation for Pacific Salmon in the Klamath River; conduct
ecosystem monitoring and assessment in the Antarctic; improve domestic
and international fisheries management consistent with the reauthorized
MSA; support development of genomic tools and technologies (ORPP
priority); hold a targeted competitive grant program supporting Gulf of
Mexico Regional Collaboration; support National Centers of Excellence in
Oceans and Human Health and trainee activities; implement NWHIMNM;
support land conservation projects identified through a competitive
selection process; fund ocean exploration and mapping.

**For more information, contact the NOAA Budget Office: (202) 482-4600
-- or -- AskNOAABudget@noaa.gov**