Sent: Thursday, August 1, 2024 12:05 PM
Subject: [External] 2024 Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Zone Measurement and Media Teleconference
Hypoxia Task Force and Coordinating Committee Members,
Earlier today, NOAA released the results of the annual survey cruise to measure the size of the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico which was followed by a media teleconference. A recording of the teleconference should be available on the press release page by the end of the week or at the NGI website. The measured size this year was 6,705 square miles resulting in a new 5-year average of 4,298 square miles for the long-term coastal goal. Detailed information about the cruise and data collected can be found in the LSU/LUMCON press release.
Acting Assistant Administrator Bruno Pigott of EPA and Secretary Mike Naig of Iowa were both able to join me on the media call, along with Lori Sprague of USGS and Dr. Rabalais of LSU/LUMCON. Their contributions are greatly appreciated and valuable in highlighting the new Gulf Hypoxia Program, monitoring efforts in the watershed to track nutrients and the many actions ongoing at the federal and state level to help reduce the level of nutrients entering the Gulf. We look forward to continuing to work with the HTF members on future press releases.
Best,
Sean Corson
Director
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
National Ocean Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(410) 627-0336 (cell)
