Commercial Engagement Through Ocean Technology Act of 2018

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, S. 2511 directs NOAA to coordinate the use and data collection of unmanned maritime systems, including with the Navy. In addition, this bill directs NOAA to regularly assess how these technologies can be used to support NOAA's missions.

Unmanned maritime systems are exciting new technologies that are remotely operated or autonomous vehicles used to collect data for seafloor mapping, atmospheric conditions, wave heights, water temperature, salinity, and carbon dioxide content. They can even be used to study marine mammals and help with fishery management.

This is an important bill that embraces 21st century technology to address the increasing challenges and needs facing our oceans today.

Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. I commend Senators Wicker and Schatz and Congressmen Palazzo and Panetta for their work on this bipartisan bill.

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