The Community Environmental Justice Explorer provides insights into coastal community conditions and can be used as a signal for further investigation.
NOAA Fisheries
US federal agency NOAA Fisheries has introduced its new web tool, the 'Community Environmental Justice Explorer,' which aggregates environmental justice concerns for nearly 5,000 coastal communities in the United States.
This tool provides a dashboard featuring indicators such as fishing dependence, gentrification pressure, and poverty, allowing coastal managers, researchers, and the public to consult and compare various challenges they may face.
"Equitable and just U.S. fisheries require a transparent understanding and knowledge of who is benefiting from our ocean. Tools such as the 'Community Environmental Justice Explorer' can help us get there by supporting communities in educating themselves, participating in decision-making, and holding their government accountable," noted Corey Ridings, who represents the open California Seat of the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
Of those 5,000 coastal communities, over 650 are engaged in commercial fishing or rely on it to a high degree. Therefore, the smooth operation of these activities is essential for their day-to-day life.
This initiative is part of the work and function of the U.S. Ocean Justice Strategy and the goals of NOAA Fisheries' Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy. It also supports environmental justice related to social impact, ecosystem-based fisheries management, natural disasters, and climate change.
In early October, NOAA Fisheries unveiled its National Seafood Strategy Implementation Plan, a roadmap aimed at fortifying the U.S. seafood economy. The plan, which builds on the National Seafood Strategy released in 2023, outlines a series of initiatives designed to support both wild-capture fisheries and aquaculture in navigating current and future challenges.