Ocean News: New Plastic Rock Discovered, Grocers Respond to Prawn Fishery Slavery, and More - Oceana USA
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June 11, 2014

Ocean News: New Plastic Rock Discovered, Grocers Respond to Prawn Fishery Slavery, and More

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– Yesterday, NOAA updated its marine sanctuary nomination process for the first time in 20 years, allowing the American public to have a role in designating national marine sanctuaries. Have a favorite beach or diving site that you think needs protection? Learn more about the nomination process here. NOAA

Scientists have discovered a new kind of rock on the Big Island of Hawaii, dubbed “plastiglomerate.” They’re made of plastic household garbage melted with volcanic rock, sea shells, beach sand and corals, and the rocks have been found to include anything from recognizable forks to fishing nets. The Weather Channel

– Today, Oceana launched a new interactive map that shows the global reach of seafood fraud. The map, which is the most current and comprehensive review of seafood fraud literature to date, compiles more than 100 studies from 29 countries and every continent except Antarctica. Oceana

– Western Australia’s drum line cull program is estimated to kill about 1,000 sharks over the next three years, including 25 great white sharks and 900 tiger sharks, according to an environmental review released on Monday by an Australian government department. The three month trial period for this controversial program recently ended, and will be continued next year. International Business Times

– An investigation by The Guardian found that some Thai prawn fishing ships employ slave labor, and prawn from this supply chain ends up in U.S. supermarkets. Many of these supermarkets claimed they’re aware of the issue and are working to eradicate slave labor. The Guardian