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
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.
May, 2024
Brazil Establishes Science-Based Catch Limits for Lobster
The Brazilian government approved new science-based catch limits for the red spiny lobster and the green lobster fisheries during the 2024 season. Lobster fishing in Brazil is predominantly artisanal and is the main source of income for many traditional fishing communities. In 2019, Oceana released a stock assessment that revealed the red lobster population had declined by more than 80% since the 1950s. Oceana’s analysis and campaigning helped to mobilize artisanal fishers, fishing industries, and other allies to support implementing catch limits, which will help recover the lobster populations and support local fishing communities. To combat illegal fishing, the regulation also bans the sale of lobster in domestic markets during the last three months of the fisheries’ closed season.
The Brazilian government approved new science-based catch limits for the red spiny lobster and the green lobster fisheries during the 2024 season. Lobster fishing in Brazil is predominantly artisanal and is the main source of income for many traditional fishing communities. In 2019, Oceana released a stock assessment that revealed the red lobster population had declined by more than 80% since the 1950s. Oceana’s analysis and campaigning helped to mobilize artisanal fishers, fishing industries, and other allies to support implementing catch limits, which will help recover the lobster populations and support local fishing communities. To combat illegal fishing, the regulation also bans the sale of lobster in domestic markets during the last three months of the fisheries’ closed season.
April, 2024
Oceana Wins Lawsuit, Court Requires Rebuilding of Collapsed US Pacific Sardine Fishery
Following a legal challenge by Oceana and Earthjustice, a United States Federal District Court ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service failed to meet its legal obligation to rebuild the U.S. West Coast Pacific sardine population, which has been mismanaged for more than a decade and remains well below healthy population levels. The Fisheries Service must now develop a new rebuilding plan and environmental analysis that includes science-based catch limits to prevent overfishing and recover the species. Pacific sardines are an essential food for marine mammals, Chinook salmon, and other commercially important fish. Sardine collapse can have wide ranging impacts on coastal communities and ocean ecosystems, and in California, has led to sea lions starving and reproductive failure among brown pelicans. Oceana will continue to campaign to recover the sardine population and ensure the rebuilding plan is properly implemented and enforced.
Following a legal challenge by Oceana and Earthjustice, a United States Federal District Court ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service failed to meet its legal obligation to rebuild the U.S. West Coast Pacific sardine population, which has been mismanaged for more than a decade and remains well below healthy population levels. The Fisheries Service must now develop a new rebuilding plan and environmental analysis that includes science-based catch limits to prevent overfishing and recover the species. Pacific sardines are an essential food for marine mammals, Chinook salmon, and other commercially important fish. Sardine collapse can have wide ranging impacts on coastal communities and ocean ecosystems, and in California, has led to sea lions starving and reproductive failure among brown pelicans. Oceana will continue to campaign to recover the sardine population and ensure the rebuilding plan is properly implemented and enforced.
March, 2024
Oregon Safeguards Marine Reserves and Protected Areas
Following campaigning by Oceana and its allies, Oregon state lawmakers passed a bill to strengthen and fully fund its system of five marine reserves and adjacent protected areas. The bill will enhance the science, conservation, and management of these areas and better facilitate engagement with coastal communities and Native American tribes. Oregon’s marine reserve program helps to protect the health and biodiversity of the marine ecosystem for ocean wildlife and Oregonians. Combined, the fully protected reserves and less-restrictive protected areas total 117 square miles (303 square kilometers) and nearly 10% of Oregon’s ocean waters.
Following campaigning by Oceana and its allies, Oregon state lawmakers passed a bill to strengthen and fully fund its system of five marine reserves and adjacent protected areas. The bill will enhance the science, conservation, and management of these areas and better facilitate engagement with coastal communities and Native American tribes. Oregon’s marine reserve program helps to protect the health and biodiversity of the marine ecosystem for ocean wildlife and Oregonians. Combined, the fully protected reserves and less-restrictive protected areas total 117 square miles (303 square kilometers) and nearly 10% of Oregon’s ocean waters.
February, 2024
California Funds Ropeless Fishing Gear to Save Whales and Turtles from Entanglements
The California Ocean Protection Council authorized new funding to help prevent whale and sea turtles from becoming entangled in fishing gear, following campaigning by Oceana and its allies. This includes up to $650,000 to advance innovative “ropeless fishing gear” in the state’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery. This investment will help support 20 Dungeness crab fishers who received approval to test the whale-safe gear this spring. If the gear is successful, it could be authorized as soon as 2025 and allow fishing to continue in the springtime, when waters are closed to conventional gear because of the heightened risk of entanglements.
The California Ocean Protection Council authorized new funding to help prevent whale and sea turtles from becoming entangled in fishing gear, following campaigning by Oceana and its allies. This includes up to $650,000 to advance innovative “ropeless fishing gear” in the state’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery. This investment will help support 20 Dungeness crab fishers who received approval to test the whale-safe gear this spring. If the gear is successful, it could be authorized as soon as 2025 and allow fishing to continue in the springtime, when waters are closed to conventional gear because of the heightened risk of entanglements.
