EU Reduces Destructive Bottom Trawling in the Western Mediterranean
Fisheries Ministers in the European Union adopted new fishing measures for 2025, including substantial reductions in bottom trawling in the Western Mediterranean. Fishing days for trawlers will be reduced by 66% in Spanish and French waters (Gulf of Lion), and by 38% in Italian and French waters (Corsica). Oceana has campaigned to reduce fishing pressure in the region, particularly from bottom trawling — a destructive form of fishing that clear-cuts the seafloor — to help recover overexploited fish populations. Additionally, France, Spain, and Italy have adopted, for the first time, remedial measures to protect European hake in the Western Mediterranean.
Fisheries Ministers in the European Union adopted new fishing measures for 2025, including substantial reductions in bottom trawling in the Western Mediterranean. Fishing days for trawlers will be reduced by 66% in Spanish and French waters (Gulf of Lion), and by 38% in Italian and French waters (Corsica). Oceana has campaigned to reduce fishing pressure in the region, particularly from bottom trawling — a destructive form of fishing that clear-cuts the seafloor — to help recover overexploited fish populations. Additionally, France, Spain, and Italy have adopted, for the first time, remedial measures to protect European hake in the Western Mediterranean.
October, 2024
Amazon Removes Plastic Air Pillows from Delivery Packaging Globally
Amazon announced it has removed all plastic air pillows from its delivery packaging used at its global fulfillment centers as of October 2024. This news follows an earlier announcement in June 2024 that the company planned to eliminate all plastic air pillows from North American deliveries by year-end. Historically, Amazon has used billions of these air pillows every year, which are not curbside recyclable or compostable, unlike paper alternatives. Plastic air pillows are made from the most common form of marine plastic litter in nearshore ocean areas — plastic film — which is also the deadliest type of plastic to large marine animals. Oceana has campaigned since 2020 for Amazon to drastically reduce its plastic use, including releasing reports estimating the company’s plastic packaging footprint, campaigning outside the company’s headquarters, and supporting shareholder resolutions.
Amazon announced it has removed all plastic air pillows from its delivery packaging used at its global fulfillment centers as of October 2024. This news follows an earlier announcement in June 2024 that the company planned to eliminate all plastic air pillows from North American deliveries by year-end. Historically, Amazon has used billions of these air pillows every year, which are not curbside recyclable or compostable, unlike paper alternatives. Plastic air pillows are made from the most common form of marine plastic litter in nearshore ocean areas — plastic film — which is also the deadliest type of plastic to large marine animals. Oceana has campaigned since 2020 for Amazon to drastically reduce its plastic use, including releasing reports estimating the company’s plastic packaging footprint, campaigning outside the company’s headquarters, and supporting shareholder resolutions.
September, 2024
Mexico Creates Southern Gulf of Mexico Reefs National Park, Largest Protected Area in the Gulf of Mexico
Mexico has created the Southern Gulf of Mexico Reefs National Park, now the largest marine protected area (MPA) in the Gulf of Mexico. The area spans more than 40,000 square kilometers (15,000 square miles) of ocean habitat. Located off the coast of the Campeche and Yucatán, its National Park status provides the highest level of conservation protection in Mexico, including against offshore drilling and deep-sea mining. The Southern Gulf of Mexico Reefs National Parks connects the Alacranes Reef National Park and the Bajos del Norte National Park, creating a conservation corridor to safeguard habitat that is home to more than 3,000 marine species. These protected areas will also benefit small-scale fishers by increasing abundance of their catch and by creating a refuge for fish to reproduce and thrive. Oceana’s scientific expeditions to the area, subsequent findings, and collaboration with the federal government and small-scale fishers was instrumental in establishing this new MPA and the Bajos del Norte MPA in January 2024.
Mexico has created the Southern Gulf of Mexico Reefs National Park, now the largest marine protected area (MPA) in the Gulf of Mexico. The area spans more than 40,000 square kilometers (15,000 square miles) of ocean habitat. Located off the coast of the Campeche and Yucatán, its National Park status provides the highest level of conservation protection in Mexico, including against offshore drilling and deep-sea mining. The Southern Gulf of Mexico Reefs National Parks connects the Alacranes Reef National Park and the Bajos del Norte National Park, creating a conservation corridor to safeguard habitat that is home to more than 3,000 marine species. These protected areas will also benefit small-scale fishers by increasing abundance of their catch and by creating a refuge for fish to reproduce and thrive. Oceana’s scientific expeditions to the area, subsequent findings, and collaboration with the federal government and small-scale fishers was instrumental in establishing this new MPA and the Bajos del Norte MPA in January 2024.
September, 2024
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.
