California Bans Plastic Bags at Grocery Store Checkouts
California passed a new law banningallplastic bags atgrocery store checkouts, following campaigning by Oceana and its allies. In 2014, the state adopted the first statewide plastic bag ban in the country, but the law did not eliminate thicker plastic film bags.This new law will address that. Plastic bags are one of the deadliest types of plastic to ocean wildlife. Plastic has also been found in our food, air, water, and even our bodies. With this new law, California is safeguarding its coastline, marine life, and communities from all single-use plastic grocery bags.
California passed a new law banningallplastic bags atgrocery store checkouts, following campaigning by Oceana and its allies. In 2014, the state adopted the first statewide plastic bag ban in the country, but the law did not eliminate thicker plastic film bags.This new law will address that. Plastic bags are one of the deadliest types of plastic to ocean wildlife. Plastic has also been found in our food, air, water, and even our bodies. With this new law, California is safeguarding its coastline, marine life, and communities from all single-use plastic grocery bags.
July, 2024
United States to Eliminate Single-Use Plastics across the Federal Government
Oceana and our allies successfully campaigned to get the United States government to go single-use plastic-free. The Biden administration committed that the federal government will phase out single-use plastics from its food service operations, events, and packaging by 2027 and in other operations by 2035. Plastics are having a devastating impact on the world’s oceans and are one of the greatest contributors to climate change. As the world’s largest purchaser of goods and services, the U.S. government’s purchasing decisions can have a global impact. A nationwide poll released by Oceana in 2023 showed that 82% of U.S. voters support reducing the federal government’s use of single-use plastic. Oceana will continue to campaign for the swift implementation of the phase-out and additional policies to reduce the production of single-use plastics.
Oceana and our allies successfully campaigned to get the United States government to go single-use plastic-free. The Biden administration committed that the federal government will phase out single-use plastics from its food service operations, events, and packaging by 2027 and in other operations by 2035. Plastics are having a devastating impact on the world’s oceans and are one of the greatest contributors to climate change. As the world’s largest purchaser of goods and services, the U.S. government’s purchasing decisions can have a global impact. A nationwide poll released by Oceana in 2023 showed that 82% of U.S. voters support reducing the federal government’s use of single-use plastic. Oceana will continue to campaign for the swift implementation of the phase-out and additional policies to reduce the production of single-use plastics.
July, 2024
New England Cod Nursery Protected from Proposed Scallop Dredging
Oceana won protection for an important cod nursery on Georges Bank in New England. With our allies, Oceana beat back an attempt by the U.S. scallop fishery to open this protected area to the dragging of heavy dredges along the seafloor to catch scallops, which would damage habitat and scoop up other non-target marine life. Oceana persuaded the New England Fishery Management Council that this type of fishing is in direct conflict with preserving the area for spawning, growth, and feeding of Atlantic cod, American lobster, and Atlantic herring.
Oceana won protection for an important cod nursery on Georges Bank in New England. With our allies, Oceana beat back an attempt by the U.S. scallop fishery to open this protected area to the dragging of heavy dredges along the seafloor to catch scallops, which would damage habitat and scoop up other non-target marine life. Oceana persuaded the New England Fishery Management Council that this type of fishing is in direct conflict with preserving the area for spawning, growth, and feeding of Atlantic cod, American lobster, and Atlantic herring.
June, 2024
Florida Bans Balloon Releases, Protects Marine Life
Following campaigning by Oceana and our allies, Florida banned the intentional release of balloons. The new law, which passed with bipartisan support, also classifies released balloons as litter. Balloons and their plastic ribbons can be easily ingested by endangered sea turtles, seabirds, and other ocean wildlife. Studies show balloons are one of the deadliest types of plastic for marine wildlife. Oceana is continuing to campaign for state lawmakers to build on this progress by reducing the production and use of unnecessary single-use plastic.
Following campaigning by Oceana and our allies, Florida banned the intentional release of balloons. The new law, which passed with bipartisan support, also classifies released balloons as litter. Balloons and their plastic ribbons can be easily ingested by endangered sea turtles, seabirds, and other ocean wildlife. Studies show balloons are one of the deadliest types of plastic for marine wildlife. Oceana is continuing to campaign for state lawmakers to build on this progress by reducing the production and use of unnecessary single-use plastic.
June, 2024
Canada protects 93% of Underwater Mountains off British Columbia with Support from First Nations
Canada has designated 133,017 square kilometers (more than 51,000 square miles) of underwater mountains – known as seamounts – off the West Coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia as its newest and largest marine protected area (MPA). Named Tang. ɢwan · ḥačxʷiqak · Tsig̱is, this protection will prevent activities such as bottom-contact fishing, dumping, and oil and gas exploration and development, safeguarding marine life and ocean ecosystems from irreparable damage. Co-managed by Haida, Nuu-chah-nulth, Pacheedaht, and Quatsino First Nations, this new MPA contributes to Canada’s commitment to protect 30% of its oceans by 2030. Oceana Canada campaigned for this protection beginning in 2018, including conducting a deep-sea expedition to the area in partnership with the Haida Nation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Ocean Networks Canada. During the expedition, the team identified centuries-old forests of red tree corals and glass sponges, crucial habitats for diverse marine species including sea lilies, basket stars, octopuses, and long-lived rockfish. By permanently safeguarding these ecologically vital seamounts, Canada is supporting ocean health and helping rebuild abundant, healthy wild fisheries that coastal communities, our economy, and the planet all depend on.
Canada has designated 133,017 square kilometers (more than 51,000 square miles) of underwater mountains – known as seamounts – off the West Coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia as its newest and largest marine protected area (MPA). Named Tang. ɢwan · ḥačxʷiqak · Tsig̱is, this protection will prevent activities such as bottom-contact fishing, dumping, and oil and gas exploration and development, safeguarding marine life and ocean ecosystems from irreparable damage. Co-managed by Haida, Nuu-chah-nulth, Pacheedaht, and Quatsino First Nations, this new MPA contributes to Canada’s commitment to protect 30% of its oceans by 2030. Oceana Canada campaigned for this protection beginning in 2018, including conducting a deep-sea expedition to the area in partnership with the Haida Nation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Ocean Networks Canada. During the expedition, the team identified centuries-old forests of red tree corals and glass sponges, crucial habitats for diverse marine species including sea lilies, basket stars, octopuses, and long-lived rockfish. By permanently safeguarding these ecologically vital seamounts, Canada is supporting ocean health and helping rebuild abundant, healthy wild fisheries that coastal communities, our economy, and the planet all depend on.
June, 2024
Amazon Eliminates Plastic Air Pillows in North America Following Campaigning by Oceana
Amazon will fully remove plastic air pillows from its delivery packaging in North America by the end of 2024 and replace them with 100% recycled paper filler. The move is expected to avoid nearly 15 billion plastic air pillows every year, according to the company. The reduction follows years of campaigning by Oceana and its allies for the company to address its massive plastic problem. Air pillows are made of plastic film, which is the deadliest type of plastic to large marine animals. Since 2020, Oceana has released reports estimating Amazon’s plastic packaging waste footprint, campaigned outside the company’s headquarters, met with company representatives, and advocated for related shareholder resolutions. Amazon’s move away from plastic air pillows in North America follows the company’s phasing out of plastic air pillows in Australia, and nearly all single-use plastic packaging in India and throughout Europe. Oceana is calling on the company to fulfill its multiyear commitment to transition its North America fulfillment centers away from plastic. Then, the company should expand these efforts and also push innovations like reusable packaging to move away from single-use packaging everywhere it sells and ships.
Amazon will fully remove plastic air pillows from its delivery packaging in North America by the end of 2024 and replace them with 100% recycled paper filler. The move is expected to avoid nearly 15 billion plastic air pillows every year, according to the company. The reduction follows years of campaigning by Oceana and its allies for the company to address its massive plastic problem. Air pillows are made of plastic film, which is the deadliest type of plastic to large marine animals. Since 2020, Oceana has released reports estimating Amazon’s plastic packaging waste footprint, campaigned outside the company’s headquarters, met with company representatives, and advocated for related shareholder resolutions. Amazon’s move away from plastic air pillows in North America follows the company’s phasing out of plastic air pillows in Australia, and nearly all single-use plastic packaging in India and throughout Europe. Oceana is calling on the company to fulfill its multiyear commitment to transition its North America fulfillment centers away from plastic. Then, the company should expand these efforts and also push innovations like reusable packaging to move away from single-use packaging everywhere it sells and ships.
June, 2024
European Union Adopts Nature Restoration Law, Including New Protections for Marine Habitats
A new biodiversity law in the European Union— the first in 30 years — requires EU Member States to implement restoration measures for at least 20% of EU seas by 2030, and for all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. This legal framework establishes targets, timelines, and plans for countries to restore Europe’s degraded ecosystems. The targets include restoring 30% of specific marine habitats by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. Thanks to campaigning by Oceana and our allies, the law requires countries in the EU to find joint solutions when there is a conflict between marine restoration goals and destructive activities like bottom trawling in areas fished by neighboring countries. The law also empowers the European Commission to act with emergency measures in the absence of such joint solutions.
A new biodiversity law in the European Union— the first in 30 years — requires EU Member States to implement restoration measures for at least 20% of EU seas by 2030, and for all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. This legal framework establishes targets, timelines, and plans for countries to restore Europe’s degraded ecosystems. The targets include restoring 30% of specific marine habitats by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. Thanks to campaigning by Oceana and our allies, the law requires countries in the EU to find joint solutions when there is a conflict between marine restoration goals and destructive activities like bottom trawling in areas fished by neighboring countries. The law also empowers the European Commission to act with emergency measures in the absence of such joint solutions.
