Algal Bloom Research and Control Act, Sec. 2f ("Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Observing Network")

Summary

Amends the National Harmful Algal Bloom And Hypoxia Observing Network Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to establish a national harmful algal bloom observing network.

Requires the Under Secretary, through NCCOS and IOOS of NOAA, to monitor, detect, and forecast harmful algal blooms using emerging technologies and new data integration methods like artificial intelligence.

Mandates the IOOS Program Office to coordinate with NCCOS on data integration and information dissemination.

Establishes a Harmful Algal Bloom Data Assembly Center for data integration, dissemination, and support of ecological forecasting.

Establishes a National Harmful Algal Bloom Observing Network.

(f) National Harmful Algal Bloom And Hypoxia Observing Network.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 is amended by amending section 606 (33 U.S.C. 4005) to read as follows:

“SEC. 606. NATIONAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM OBSERVING NETWORK.

Establishes a national network of harmful algal bloom monitoring using AI and emerging technologies.

“(a) In General.—The Under Secretary, acting through the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall establish a national network of harmful algal bloom observing systems for the monitoring, detection, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms by leveraging the capacity of IOOS regional associations, including through the incorporation of emerging technologies and new data integration methods, such as artificial intelligence.

Directs the IOOS Program Office to coordinate with NCCOS on data and observation, and establishe a center called the Harmful Algal Bloom Data Assembly to provide architecture to support ecological forecasting.

“(b) Coordination.—In carrying out subsection (a), the IOOS Program Office shall—

“(1) coordinate with NCCOS regarding observations, data integration, and information dissemination; and

“(2) establish a Harmful Algal Bloom Data Assembly Center to integrate, disseminate, and provide a central architecture to support ecological forecasting.”.

Amends the table of contents to rename section 606 the "National harmful algal bloom observing network".

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents in section 2 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 is amended by amending the item relating to section 606 to read as follows:

“Sec. 606. National harmful algal bloom observing network.”.