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BOYD WORKS TO FIGHT RED TIDE
Boyd’s testimony highlights need for better understanding of red tide, its causes and effects on our coastlines
(l to r) Cong. Connie Mack (R-FL) and Cong. Allen Boyd (D-FL) testify before the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment of the House Science and Technology Committee about red tide. Credit: The House Science and Technology Committee
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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) today highlighted the devastating effects of red tide on Florida’s coastlines at a Congressional hearing before the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment of the House Science and Technology Committee. During his testimony, Congressman Boyd emphasized the need for a better understanding of red tide and of how we can prevent it from further damaging our economy, our beaches, and our health.
Red tide is a naturally occurring algal bloom that causes respiratory problems in humans and kills fish and manatees. It also contaminates and kills shellfish and destroys coral reef and sea grass communities.
“As those of us in North Florida know all too well, our local economies, our environment, and our very way of life are threatened every time red tide nears our coastline,” said Congressman Boyd. “This Congressional hearing has helped to bring more attention to the adverse effects of red tide on our state and across the country. It is my hope that we can set about working together on ways to fight red tide and to ensure that it will not continue to devastate our coastlines or harm our families or economy.”
Congressman Boyd is part of the effort in the Florida Delegation to provide much-needed funding for more research on red tide and harmful algal blooms. Congressman Boyd is a cosponsor of bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives – The Save Our Shores Act (HR 1091) – that would:
- Authorize $90 million over a three-year period for peer-reviewed scientific research on red tide and other harmful algal blooms.
- Require that all federal funds used to conduct harmful algal bloom research under this legislation be awarded on a competitive, scientifically peer-reviewed basis.
- Require the Task Force, which is comprised of scientists from various federal agencies, to report the results of this research annually to Congress.
“When I was growing up, red tide was a very rare occurrence, but in recent years, outbreaks have become more frequent, longer lasting, and severe,” Boyd said. “It has become clear that the economic welfare of our coastal communities, our seafood industries, the public health, and the livelihood of those who depend on the health of our waters are extremely vulnerable to increasing bouts of toxic red tide. The Save Our Shores Act would help us to better understand red tide, so that we can ultimately develop responsible and effective methods to predict, prevent, and detect red tide.”
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