PROVASOLI-GUILLARD CENTER FOR CULTURE OF MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON.

SEC. 2208. PROVASOLI-GUILLARD CENTER FOR CULTURE OF MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON. (a) Findings.— The Congress finds the following: (1) The oceans cover 70 percent of the surface of the Earth. (2) The foundation of the food webs and fisheries productivity of the oceans rests with microscopic plants known as phytoplankton. (3) Phytoplankton serve as a vital natural resource in the oceans. (4) By serving as primary agents in control of the flux of atmospheric carbon dioxide to the deep ocean, phytoplankton influence climate and the rate of global warming. (5) There is limited knowledge of the biology, physiology, chemistry, and taxonomy of phytoplankton, and it is of vital interest to this Nation to improve the body of knowledge relating to phytoplankton to benefit this Nation and other countries. (6) The Provasoli-Guillard Center for the Culture of Marine Phytoplankton located in West Boothbay Harbor, Maine, houses a phytoplankton collection that contains species from each of the ocean environments of the World, and is recognized as the largest collection of phytoplankton in the World. (7) The Provasoli-Guillard Center for the Culture of Marine Phytoplankton is of vital interest to oceanographers in this Nation and throughout the World, and provides cultures of phytoplankton for critical research on global issues. 106 STAT. 5054 (b) Designation.— In light of the findings under subsection (a), the Provasoli-Guillard Center for the Culture of Marine Phytoplankton located in West Boothbay Harbor, Maine, is designated as a National Center and Facility.