Graves and Huffman Launch Bipartisan National Marine Sanctuary Caucus

WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Congressmen Garret Graves and Jared Huffman launched the bipartisan National Marine Sanctuary Caucus to continue protecting and preserving valuable marine habitats - some of the Nation's most critical natural, historic, and cultural resources. Sanctuaries generate $8 billion annually in local economies and support jobs and businesses in the fishing, diving, tourism, recreation, and scientific research sectors.

Through the caucus, Members of Congress will coordinate efforts to raise congressional awareness and understanding of national marine sanctuaries and their role in sustaining healthy oceans.

"Productive coastal economies in Louisiana and across our country are dependent on fishing, tourism, recreation and scientific research. Just off Louisiana's coast, the coral reefs and algal sponges of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary demonstrate how marine conservation can support these activities. This caucus expands on these conservation efforts and is a great example of how an additional educational opportunity can lead to tourists and anglers getting more opportunities to enjoy fishing in south Louisiana. The more we can engage lawmakers and constituencies on the importance of our marine habitats, we increase the likelihood future generations can enjoy Sportsman's Paradise," Graves said.

"National Marine Sanctuaries are treasured areas that protect natural, historical, and cultural places in the oceans and Great Lakes. These spectacular underwater parks encompass a broad range of breathtaking natural features, including kelp forests, rocky and coral reefs, beaches, freshwater lakes, deep-sea canyons, islands, and more," said Rep. Huffman. "I am honored to have not one, but two national marine sanctuaries in my district, Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank, that protect critical ocean ecosystems and conserve wildlife. I am proud to relaunch this bipartisan caucus with my colleague, Congressman Graves, to raise awareness of sanctuaries and prioritize sanctuary issues on behalf of coastal communities and our nation."

To read more about the caucus, click here.

Additionally, Louisiana State University (LSU) received a grant, alongside several other universities, to examine the habitats and ecosystems of reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. The sanctuary the grant focuses on is the Flower Garden Banks, which is offshore Louisiana. More information can be found here.

Reps. Graves and Huffman are proud to launch the National Marine Sanctuary Caucus along with Representatives Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Don Beyer (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Anthony Brown (MD-04), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Jerry Carl (AL-01), Matt Cartwright (PA-08), Ed Case (HI-01), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) James A. Himes (CT-04), Sara Jacobs (CA-53), Kaiali'i Kahele (HI-02), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), John B. Larson (CT-01), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Doris Matsui (CA-06), Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Gregorio Sablan (D-CNMI), Maria Salazar (FL-27), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Thomas R. Suozzi (NY-03), and Robert J. Wittman (VA-01).

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