1. Critical Negotiations on Plastic Pollution Begin in Ottawa, Canada
The world has a once-in-a-generation chance to change humanity’s relationship with plastic profoundly. That is the message from officials ahead of “pivotal” talks next week on a legally binding global instrument to end plastic pollution. Since the 1950s, 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic have been produced, of which 7 billion tonnes have become waste, filling up landfills and polluting lakes, rivers, the soil, and the ocean.
Humanity now produces 430 million tonnes of plastic each year, two-thirds of which is contained in short-lived products which soon become waste. Some of that plastic winds up in the food chain, potentially harming human health.
Thank you for your generous gift that will help us continue the production of this weekly, free publication
2. Miami Seaquarium Faces Eviction Amid Legal Battle Over Animal Welfare Standards
VIRGINIA KEY, Florida. The Miami Seaquarium, managed by The Dolphin Company, is in a legal battle to remain open despite Miami-Dade County’s eviction notice and concerns over animal welfare. The Seaquarium, operational since 1955, defends its compliance with animal welfare standards, citing a newly issued USDA license that validates its adherence to stringent care requirements.
Despite this, Mayor Levine Cava has labeled the habitat unsafe for its 5,000 animals, pushing for lease termination based on past USDA reports indicating deficiencies. The conflict has escalated to federal court, where The Dolphin Company is challenging the eviction and alleging civil rights violations by county officials.
3. More Progress Needed on Protecting Our Oceans, OSU Scientists Tell Global Conference in Athens
CORVALLIS, Ore. Oregon State University scientists declared at the eighth “Our Ocean Conference” in Athens that world governments and other leadership bodies are taking vital steps to protect the ocean, but more progress is urgently needed. Almost half – 3.7 million square miles – of the currently protected ocean area stems from commitments made at earlier versions of the annual conference, first held in 2014.
The Oregon State scientists shared a road map for sustaining the momentum of ocean protection during the conference’s closing ceremony, highlighting the importance of accountability for delivering on the promises made at the meeting. The Our Ocean Conference, held at a different location each year, brings together governments, industry, youth, and civil society leaders to tackle problems that threaten the ocean’s health.
4. Juvenile Great White Sharks Prefer Shallow Coastal Waters
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. California State University marine scientists have recently found that juvenile great white sharks predominantly inhabit warm, shallow waters close to the shore, specifically within one kilometer. Near Santa Barbara, Padaro Beach is a hot spot for “pups,” AKA baby great white sharks. Researchers tagged pups aged 1 to 6 with sensor transmitters that tracked water pressure, temperature, and the sharks’ locations.
The youngsters don’t receive care from adults after birth and are left in these shallow areas dubbed nurseries. The study showed that water temperature and food availability were two of the most significant factors in these nurseries’ locations. As research continues, strategies will be developed to improve practical conservation efforts, help minimize human–shark interaction, and help shed light on the impact of climate change on micro-habitat thermal patterns when observing the response of juveniles to the environment.
5. How the UN Plastics Treaty Aims to Tackle the Pollution Crisis
What is the UN Plastics Treaty? The U.N. Plastics Treaty will be a legally binding global agreement between 175 countries that dictates the action and timeline needed to mitigate the production and consumption of high-risk plastic. To address the “full lifecycle of plastic from source to sea,” the U.N. will convene heads of state, ministers of environment, and other representatives from U.N. Member States to agree upon the treaty.
Why are plastics a problem? According to the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP), the rate of plastic production has grown faster than that of any other man-made material since the 1970s. The U.N. reports that approximately 36% of all plastics produced are used in packaging, including single-use plastic for food and beverage containers. It also notes that approximately 85% of those single-use products end up in landfills or as unregulated waste.
6. Brazil Boosts Protection of Amazon Mangroves With New Reserves in Pará State
Brazil. The state of Pará has created two new conservation areas along the Amazonian coastline and placed almost all of its mangroves under federal protection. The two reserves mean an additional 74,700 hectares (184,600 acres) have been included in the planet’s largest and most conserved continuous belt of mangroves.
Creating the reserves took over 13 years and faced several setbacks; environmentalists have celebrated the outcome as a victory for local communities and biodiversity. The new extractive reserves allow resident populations to engage in traditional and sustainable extractive practices, such as fishing and hunting, while keeping out big businesses, such as commercial aquaculture or logging.
7. New International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Report Shows Way Toward Regenerative Blue Economy
This new IUCN report proposes a clear definition and founding principles for a “Regenerative” Blue Economy. It defines different sustainability levels within the umbrella and sets ambitions for nature and society.
The report analysis includes the historical evolution of Blue Economy concepts and approaches. It applies the vital requirements of conservation merged with sustainable development, considering the viewpoints of all regions across the globe. Available in French and English.
8. Debate on Ratification of the Global Ocean Treaty
United Kingdom. The Global Ocean Treaty aims to establish a legal mechanism for marine conservation in international waters and afford other protections for shared marine resources and the marine environment. This debate focuses on the ratification of the Treaty. Its main aim is to ensure the “conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, for the present and long term.”
Currently, no legislative framework allows for conserving marine biodiversity in international waters. The Global Ocean Treaty is widely acknowledged as pivotal in preserving 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. The UK still needs to ratify the Treaty. It intends to do so in the next Parliamentary session; however, environmental groups have called for earlier ratification and commitment to the Treaty’s aims.
9. Question – Are You a “Data Nerd”? Welcome to Your Ocean Nirvana!
The document at the link comprehensively compiles 217 spreadsheets and data collections pertaining to South Australian Marine Parks!!
This collection is designed to facilitate easy access to prior studies for journalists, scientists, and the general public. Often, crucial information from these studies is buried or siloed, rendering it inaccessible and underutilized because people are unaware of its existence.
10. Cap on Plastic Production Remains Contentious as Ottawa Set to Host Treaty Talks
OTTAWA. Negotiators from 176 countries will gather in Ottawa this week for the fourth of five rounds of talks to create a global treaty to eliminate plastic waste in less than 20 years. The goal is to finalize a deal by the end of the year. The proliferation of plastics has been profound, as it is a preferred material mainly for its affordability and longevity.
This also means it never goes away, and the impact on nature and growing concerns about human health are leading a push to get rid of plastic waste and eliminate the most problematic chemicals used to make it. Globally, about half of that waste ends up in landfills, one-fifth is incinerated, sometimes to create electricity, and almost one-tenth is recycled. More than one-fifth is “mismanaged,” meaning it ends up in places it is not supposed to be.
11. Warming Water Temperatures in Virginia Are Changing Aquatic Life as We Know It
RICHMOND, Va. Throughout Virginia, scientists are documenting significant warming of water temperatures, from inland freshwater streams and rivers to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, which experts say has “huge cascading effects on ecosystems.” Rising water temperatures in Virginia result from global climate change and localized environmental changes, like a loss of shading from trees removed along streams and riverbanks and a decrease in freshwater flowing through some ecosystems.
The range of freshwater fish converging in Virginia can be broken into groups of cold, calm, and warm water species. The warming waters would likely impact some species more than others. We need to ramp up the amount of renewable energy, eliminate fossil fuels from our energy mix, and reduce our emissions as much as possible.
12. Fishing Has Supported Generations of People in Remote Karumba but Could Soon End With Gillnet Ban
KARUMBA, Queensland, Australia. To protect dugongs, dolphins, turtles, and sharks, a pending Queensland government decision to ban gillnets in the remote town of Karumba in the Gulf of Carpentaria has the 400 residents concerned. The city relies on the fishing industry to survive. Carpentaria Shire Council Mayor Jack Bawden said that restricting the use of gillnets would threaten the town’s viability. “It’s going to be devastating…the fishermen are their bread and butter”.
The Karumba fishing industry is worth $30 million annually, with much of the catch sold in cities. Gillnets – used to bring in barramundi, grey mackerel, and threadfin salmon – catch fish by the gills, fins, and spines. Simon Miller from the Australian Marine Conservation Society said other fishing practices should be explored. “Line fishing is one method for a sustainable, wild-caught barramundi.”
13. Experts Call for Uniform Measures for the Sustainability of the Fisheries Sector
INDIA. The need for uniform measures was discussed at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) Saturday to ensure the sustainability of fisheries resources on which millions of people along India’s coast depend for a living. Measures include fishing holidays, banning fishing during monsoon season, minimum legal size limits, and restrictions on vessel additions.
Issues about defining vessel sizes and traditional or non-traditional, as well as consistency between states that have frozen the addition of new vessels and those without such restrictions, are being discussed. Inequalities in sharing the fishing industry resources that are the only source of income for millions of people in the country and the current contradictory rules are cause for concern. Sustaining the fisheries sector for food, nutrition, and security is paramount.
14. Adaptive Capacity of Marine Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in an Era of Global Climate Change: A Case Study Analysis of Canada and the Scotian Shelf
Canada is advancing toward protecting 30% of its marine and coastal areas by 2030. Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been put into place in this era of global climate change. However, there is often limited consideration of the impacts of climate change. Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) could have a more significant effect than MPAs, as they can cover areas that do not qualify as MPAs and can be put into action faster with more flexibility.
Currently, the adaptive capacity of Canada’s marine OECMs is lacking, and steps are being taken to advance the delivery of long-term conservation benefits. OECM management will be critical in Canada’s Scotian Shelf-Bay of Fundy Bioregion, an ecologically unique area that a wide variety of marine species inhabit and use as spawning and nursery grounds.
15. The Pacific Sleeper Shark: New Insights Into a Mysterious Marine Predator
The Pacific sleeper shark is one of the largest predatory fish in the ocean and has a range that spans throughout the Pacific, yet little is known about it. Scientists are now attempting to learn more about the deep sea species closely related to the Greenland shark. Despite being listed as decreasing in number and near threatened on the IUCN Red List, genetic studies suggest more than previously thought.
“We used to think there were three large species in the genus: Pacific sleeper shark, southern sleeper shark, and Greenland shark,” said lead author Beth Matta. “Now we know the southern sleeper shark is not genetically distinct.” Evidence suggests that Pacific sleeper sharks have slow growth, delayed maturity, and long lifespans (though maybe not as long as the 400-year-old Greenland sharks), making them more susceptible to overfishing, thus providing a target for management.
16. US Announces 508 Million USD to Protect Oceans
WASHINGTON, DC. At the ninth “Our Ocean Conference” held in Greece, the US announced that 508 million dollars would go towards protecting oceans. Upon congressional approval, 8.5 million USD is earmarked for the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation and Atlantic community collaboration on Atlantic Ocean observation, marine spatial planning, and sustainable blue economy development.
The US also announced the publication of its National Ocean Acidification Action Plan, which will contribute 18.4 million USD to scientific collaborations supporting the conservation of marine biodiversity and 667,500 dollars to support sustainable living marine resource management in international fisheries.3.8 million USD will be spent on maritime security, along with participation in 5 international oil spill response strategies.1 million USD goes to Green Shipping Corridors on top of 100,000 dollars to the International Maritime Organization Greenhouse Gas Strategy in small island states and developing countries.
17. Pacific Tribal Leaders Give Whales and Dolphins Legal Personhood
Tribal leaders from New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Tonga, and French Polynesia have signed an international law giving whales and dolphins the same rights as people. The compact, He Whakaputanga Moana, attempts to strengthen protections for these cetaceans. The proclamation also establishes a dedicated conservation fund and protected marine areas for them.
This means that — at least according to the Indigenous officials of New Zealand, the Cook Islands, and French Polynesia — there’s no legal difference between harming a cetacean and harming a member of the tribes. That’s noteworthy because the leading cause of cetacean deaths is accidental boat strikes and net drownings. It’s unclear to what extent such deaths might be prosecuted under this new law. However, experts say the move is a modern tactic in the struggle to conserve not just whales but all species.
18. Studland Bay: Eco-Moorings to Protect Seahorses Set to Double
STUDLAND, England. Eco-moorings to stop boats dropping their anchors, causing damage to seagrass beds in a Dorset bay, will more than double to almost 100. The moorings in Studland Bay use a screw driven into the seabed connected to a buoy via a large elasticated rope. Ten buoys were first put in during 2021, increasing to over 30 last year.
The additional moorings, which boaters pay £10 to use for up to 24 hours via an app, are expected to all be in place for the summer season. During the winter, the mooring buoys will be removed to be cleaned, checked, and maintained. Underneath the bay, seagrass needs to be protected. There are more than 70 species of seagrass in the world, and they contribute to absorbing 10% of the ocean’s carbon each year. Yet, it is critically endangered.
19. Funders Pledge 60.8 Million USD to Protect the Mediterranean Sea
In a landmark move to safeguard the ecological integrity of the Mediterranean Sea, philanthropic organisations aim to contribute to the ambitious goal of protecting 30% of the Mediterranean by 2030, with 10% designated as strict protected areas. To achieve this goal, an estimated 277 million USD is needed. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and other leading private and public donors¹ have pledged 60.8 million USD towards marine conservation efforts over the next five years.
The announcement was made at the “Our Ocean Conference”, held in Athens, Greece, from April 15 to 17. The Mediterranean region faces mounting threats from climate change, pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices. Despite past efforts, only 8.33% of the Mediterranean currently enjoys protection, and regulations are often as weak inside marine protected areas (MPAs) as outside them.
20. Has the U.S. Really Conserved a Third of Its Waters? Here’s the Math.
Almost everyone loves the ocean, but not everyone agrees on what it means to protect it. According to an early analysis released Friday by the Biden administration, the United States is conserving approximately one-third of the country’s ocean areas, suggesting the president is meeting a critical environmental goal laid out at the beginning of his term. Others say that’s not the case.
Yet precisely what areas on the map should be protected has been the subject of considerable debate. Advocates say some areas still allow commercial fishing and fall short of the protections needed to save marine ecosystems facing dire threats. Click the link below, read the article, and determine where you stand on this environmentally critical subject.
21. Confusion Complicates US Recycling Efforts
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, USA. Experts at ASU say simple solutions can make recycling more effective. The solid waste generated in the U.S. in 2018 was 292.4 million tons — or 4.9 pounds per person daily. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, only 32% was recycled. Germany recycles nearly double that. Due to increasing plastic seeping into our oceans, organizations are pushing the federal government to set a national recycling standard.
Inconsistency in the US system confuses consumer behavior. European countries like Germany make it simple — they provide six different bins to utilize. Another solution is new technology, which can either recycle plastic in its current state or recreate plastic made of recyclable materials. The next step is to make it economically viable to produce. In the meantime, steps need to be taken to keep it simple.
22. Alaska Senate Proposes 7.5M USD Aid Package for Struggling Fish Processors
The Alaska Senate has proposed a new aid package for the state’s fish processing companies—some of which have been reeling from a price crash that’s caused an industry-wide crisis. In its capital budget passed last week, the Senate included the $7.5 million grant to a nonprofit organization called SeaShare.
Most of the cash would go toward buying what SeaShare calls an “oversupply” of seafood from last year’s harvest, which it says is costing processing companies money to store in freezers. She said the seafood purchases would then be donated to Alaska food programs and food banks. A smaller grant share would also pay for new freezers in communities around the state that could store more fish.
