Sea-N-N
(news briefs about the marine world)
February 8, 2007 Pacific Coast Governors Inovate Biggest Beach and Ocean Cleanup Ever Since the 1970's, marine debris has been widely recognized as a threat to the marine environment; and despite global treaties to prevent dumping at sea and minimize land-based sources, and increasing efforts worldwide to protect water quality, the quantity of marine debris in the world's oceans is increasing. The problem of plastic marine debris is increasing in California and the North Pacific Gyre, where densities of micro-plastics have tripled during the last decade. On Thursday February 8, 2007 the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) voted unanimously to adopt a resolution that will reduce the amount of plastic pollution that is floating in the ocean and washing up on California beaches. Recent reports have documented the trouble our oceans are in. Abandoned plastic fishing gear and other plastic pollution kill more than 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles every year. In addition, plastic pollution is washing up beaches around the world. California's beach economy brings in over $40 billion annually. "We are pleased that the California Ocean Protection Council has decided to focus their attention on marine debris," said Dan Jacobson, legislative director for Environment California. "Action is needed and we applaud the council for their aggressive plan." According to the California Ocean Protection Council, The resolution identifies priority solutions to the marine debris issue from the June 2006 Plastic Debris Project Action Plan. The priorities include the following: 1) Reduce the sources of marine debris by extending the California Redemption Value from bottles and cans to plastics commonly found in the ocean; 2) Increase the enforcement of anti-litter laws and enforcement of water quality laws to eliminate plastic pellet pollution; 3) Identify innovative ways to reduce plastic waste; 4) Expand watershed clean-up efforts; and 5) Increase the availability of cigarette butt and recycling containers and trash cans at public places and schools statewide. "Marine debris is one of the worst problems our oceans face," said Secretary for Resources and OPC Chairman Mike Chrisman. "Passage of this OPC resolution will go a long way to help us promote reducing plastic waste and marine debris in the ocean." State legislators will follow the lead the OCP has taken with a "flotilla" of legislation that will work to reduce ocean pollution. For more information, visit http://resources.ca.gov/copc/ b>
Hear any interesting news about the marine world? Please contact me: judith@garfield.org.
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