NSF to Dismantle Deep-Ocean Monitoring Network

The agency will deploy ships this month to extract sensors stationed off the coasts of Oregon, Alaska, Washington, and North Carolina, alongside key monitoring equipment in the Irminger Sea. The project, which was originally intended to operate for 25 years, has been instrumental in tracking the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current. Researchers fear that dismantling this infrastructure will hinder efforts to predict global weather shifts and long-term climate consequences.

An NSF spokesperson described the move as a strategy to prioritize "evolving scientific priorities" and improve lifecycle management. However, critics view the decision as a calculated effort to suppress climate data. David Doniger of the Natural Resources Defense Council called the move "absolutely crazy," noting that the data is vital for industries ranging from commercial fishing to storm forecasting. The shutdown follows earlier administration efforts to challenge environmental regulations and limit research into extreme weather, drawing sharp rebukes from the scientific community.