US senators from 33 affected states urged President Donald Trump "to reconsider [his] proposed elimination of the National Sea Grant College Program and to provide full funding for this program."

The senators said the cut would "have a devastating impact."

"In addition, we oppose the $30 million (€28.1 million) cut to the program the administration put forward in the fiscal year 2017 … which could lead to a mid-year shutdown of the program," said the letter.

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