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This bill would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to identify, declare, and respond to marine disease emergencies.

What is a marine disease emergency, you ask? Well, that's part of the reason this bill is being introduced: to identify them. In general, we know there has been a rise of diseases affecting marine life, and in turn affecting people connected to the ocean — so basically, everyone.

So why now? The National Climate Assessment explains:

\"Warmer oceans are leading to increased coral bleaching events and disease outbreaks in coral reefs, as well as changed distribution patterns of tuna fisheries. Ocean acidification will reduce coral growth and health. Warming and acidification, combined with existing stresses, will strongly affect coral reef fish communities.\"

After a marine disease emergency is declared under this bill, an emergency response would be organized through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These emergency responses would include a 120-day rapid response plan, bringing together assets at the federal, regional, state, and local levels to minimize the impact of the disease, and prevent spreading.

The bill would create a “Marine Disease Emergency Fund” in the Treasury so that donations can be gathered from the public and private industry. Also, a national data repository to store data on marine ecosystems would be created to facilitate future research and identify trends.

Post-emergency reports would also be required to update the current status of the disease, and offer recommendations for improved response in the future.

","official_title":"To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to identify, declare, and respond to marine disease emergencies, and for other purposes.","short_title":"Marine Disease Emergency Act of 2015","popular_title":null,"short_summary":"Marine Disease Emergency Act of 2015\n\nThis bill authorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to declare and respond to a marine disease emergency that: (1) is caused by a marine disease or environmental stressor, (2) is likely to threaten the sustainability of a marine species or the health of a marine ecosystem, and (3) is likely to expand in geographic scope. \"Marine species\" does not include aquacultured animals, marine mammals, or birds. NOAA may take appropriate actions to respond to the emergency, including making grants, entering into contracts, and investigating the cause, treatment, or prevention of the emergency.\n\nUpon declaring an emergency, NOAA must: (1) designate an individual to coordinate the response to the emergency, (2) develop a response plan within 28 days of the declaration, and (3) publish a summary of the plan within 21 days of the declaration.\n\nThe emergency terminates when NOAA declares that the emergency no longer exists or 120 days af...","summarized":true,"cost":null,"cost_commentary":"A CBO cost estimate is unavailable. ","impact":"People who consume or use products made possible by the ocean and/or marine life, marine species suffering from disease and epidemics, regions afflicted with a marine disease, private and public resources that would be utilized, NOAA, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Treasury. 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Does the U.S. Need to Fight "Marine Disease"?