Sam Farr: “I rise in support of H.R. 2233. This bill will help provide much needed funding for research and conservation projects…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 2233. This bill will help provide much needed funding for research and conservation projects at coral reef ecosystems. The health of these ecosystems is in decline globally due to a wide range of threats, including nonsource pollution, destructive fishing practices, unwise coastal development, and global climate change. If we do not act decisively and soon, there will be no reefs left to save in just a few years. Why is it important to save it? The reefs essentially are the rain forests of the ocean. That is where most of the biological life live. If we lose these reefs, we lose much more than just their picturesque beauty, we lose a world class storehouse of marine biodiversity and a renewable economic resource that is vital to coastal and insular nations. H.R. 2233 is a good first step in addressing these problems. The amendment before the House requires a match for every Federal dollar so that research funds can even go further than originally drafted. I support the amendment.”