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Trump Defunds $368 M Ocean Observatories, Threatening Hurricane Forecasts

6/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Trump administration announced defunding of the $368 million Ocean Observatories Initiative, which operates about 900 deep-sea instruments worldwide.
President Donald Trump said the initiative will be descoped and its instruments removed from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Scientists warn that losing deep-water temperature data will hinder hurricane-intensity forecasts.
The National Science Foundation said the descoping reflects a shift toward a more flexible research portfolio.

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Story summary

The Trump administration announced defunding of the $368 million Ocean Observatories Initiative, which operates about 900 deep-sea instruments worldwide.
President Donald Trump said the initiative will be descoped and its instruments removed from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Scientists warn that losing deep-water temperature data will hinder hurricane-intensity forecasts.
The National Science Foundation said the descoping reflects a shift toward a more flexible research portfolio.