By Emmett Berg SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Researchers returned on Sunday from mapping and sampling a massive swirling cluster of trash floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, as the Dutch-borne crew works to refine a clean-up strategy it will roll out globally. The crew of the Ocean Cleanup, backed by volunteers in sailboats, ventured to areas of the … [Read more...]
New Research Shows Where Deep Sea Trash Accumulates
We've all heard about the vast amounts of plastic accumulating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. We've all seen trash washed up on our beaches. But what about below the surface, out of sight for any normal person? For most of us, this question has remained a mystery. Now, a paper by researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) shows that large amounts … [Read more...]
Why the National Ocean Policy Matters
By Emily Woglom, Ocean Conservancy Superstorm Sandy’s coastal destruction, the Japan Tsunami’s drifting debris, BP Deepwater Horizon’s gusher of oil in the Gulf and the declaration of fisheries disasters in New England, Mississippi and Alaska have taught us that these calamities affect not only the health of our ocean and coasts, but also the well-being of … [Read more...]
Obama Ocean Plan Aims To Protect Economy, Environment
By Environment Correspondent Deborah Zabarenko WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - The White House released a plan on Tuesday aimed at protecting oceans, coastal and Great Lakes environments around the United States while safeguarding related businesses that support more than 44 million jobs. The plan drew criticism from some Republican lawmakers who called it bureaucratic … [Read more...]
Increased Maritime Activity Highlights Need for National Ocean Policy
By Susan Olcott, This New Year comes with new opportunities – as well as the potential for conflicts – in the open ocean. In 2013, the US federal government will offer competitive lease sales for offshore wind farms in the waters off of Virginia, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Considering the impact these sites could have on existing ocean industries, like … [Read more...]