In announcing its decision to begin removing the Ocean Observatories Initiative’s (OOI) deep-sea infrastructure, the National Science Foundation inaccurately cited a 2025 National Academies report on the future of ocean science. The committee that wrote the peer-reviewed report said the importance of investing in ocean-observing infrastructure and technology, such as OOI, for better understanding of the oceans and their relationship to human well-being cannot be overstressed.

The committee found that OOI has seen many successes over the past decade and could, in part, help answer urgent arising research questions; it recommended continued funding for OOI components that support research priorities in the decade ahead. While the committee said that OOI could benefit from a revisioning exercise to consider how it could be improved to meet specific needs of ocean scientists in the future, it said this exercise should be separate from the regular renewal process for the initiative.

Preserving and improving OOI and other ocean-observing infrastructure is critical to advancing U.S. ocean science at a time when other countries, including our competitors, are increasing their investments in ocean science and advancing their capacities. As the report highlights, policymakers need better information on the oceans, such as how ocean ecosystem change influences important fisheries, the impacts of El Niño, and how greater access to the Arctic will challenge U.S. national security. Without ocean-observing assets such as OOI, we risk not having the data needed to address such crucial issues.

Marcia McNutt
President, National Academy of Sciences

Tsu-Jae Liu
President, National Academy of Engineering

Victor J. Dzau
President, National Academy of Medicine