Newly Approved Innovative Fishing Gear Will Reduce Bycatch off West Coast
Following campaigning by Oceana and its allies, the National Marine Fisheries Service legally authorized the commercial use of an innovative fishing gear that will protect whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other ocean animals from fishing entanglements off the U.S. West Coast. Called deep-set buoy gear, this gear is designed to catch swordfish in a clean and profitable way. Legal authorization of this gear type is a critical step in the transition away from mile-long drift gillnets, a highly unselective fishing method that had previously entangled many other ocean animals. This newly approved fishing method consists of a floating buoy supporting a single vertical line with up to three baited hooks that is deployed during the day when swordfish feed at deeper depths than most other species. The buoys indicate when a fish has been caught, so fishers can retrieve their catch within minutes of it being hooked. Swordfish caught with deep-set buoy gear earn a much higher price per pound than those caught in drift gillnets because the fish is fresher and not damaged by a net. Additionally, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program added swordfish caught with deep-set buoy gear and harpoons to its Green List as a “best choice.” The Green List includes seafood recommendations for businesses and consumers based on seafood that is well managed and caught in ways that cause little harm to habitats or other wildlife.
Following campaigning by Oceana and its allies, the National Marine Fisheries Service legally authorized the commercial use of an innovative fishing gear that will protect whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other ocean animals from fishing entanglements off the U.S. West Coast. Called deep-set buoy gear, this gear is designed to catch swordfish in a clean and profitable way. Legal authorization of this gear type is a critical step in the transition away from mile-long drift gillnets, a highly unselective fishing method that had previously entangled many other ocean animals. This newly approved fishing method consists of a floating buoy supporting a single vertical line with up to three baited hooks that is deployed during the day when swordfish feed at deeper depths than most other species. The buoys indicate when a fish has been caught, so fishers can retrieve their catch within minutes of it being hooked. Swordfish caught with deep-set buoy gear earn a much higher price per pound than those caught in drift gillnets because the fish is fresher and not damaged by a net. Additionally, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program added swordfish caught with deep-set buoy gear and harpoons to its Green List as a “best choice.” The Green List includes seafood recommendations for businesses and consumers based on seafood that is well managed and caught in ways that cause little harm to habitats or other wildlife.
May, 2023
Peru Passes New Law to Protect its Oceans and Artisanal Fishers
Peru’s Congress unanimously passed a new law to strengthen protections for the first five miles off the country’s coast and support Peru’s artisanal fishers. This coastal area is one of the most productive in the world, playing a fundamental role in the life cycle of the area’s marine species. The law will reinforce the ban on large-scale industrial fishing within the first five nautical miles and prohibit any gear that is harmful to the habitat and seafloor. Specifically, boats using mechanized gear like purse seines can no longer be classified as “artisanal” and are prohibited from using this destructive gear within the first three miles off the coast. Additionally, the law requires science-based fishing quotas to be established and orders new measures to recover overfished species. This victory, which was won thanks to steadfast campaigning by artisanal fishers and their allies, including Oceana, will help support ocean abundance, biodiversity, and livelihoods in Peru.
Peru’s Congress unanimously passed a new law to strengthen protections for the first five miles off the country’s coast and support Peru’s artisanal fishers. This coastal area is one of the most productive in the world, playing a fundamental role in the life cycle of the area’s marine species. The law will reinforce the ban on large-scale industrial fishing within the first five nautical miles and prohibit any gear that is harmful to the habitat and seafloor. Specifically, boats using mechanized gear like purse seines can no longer be classified as “artisanal” and are prohibited from using this destructive gear within the first three miles off the coast. Additionally, the law requires science-based fishing quotas to be established and orders new measures to recover overfished species. This victory, which was won thanks to steadfast campaigning by artisanal fishers and their allies, including Oceana, will help support ocean abundance, biodiversity, and livelihoods in Peru.
May, 2023
New Laws in Oregon Prohibit Plastic Foam and Enable Refill Systems
Following campaigning by Oceana and our allies, Oregon passed two new laws to combat the plastic pollution crisis. The first law phases out polystyrene foam foodware, packing peanuts, and coolers. Plastic foam is not accepted in curbside recycling and is one of the top items found polluting Oregon’s beaches. This type of plastic often breaks up into smaller pieces, disperses easily, and can persist in the environment for centuries. This law will also ban PFAS, nicknamed “forever chemicals,” from food packaging because they accumulate in the environment and pose a threat to human health. The second law requires the state’s health code to enable restaurants to use reusable containers to serve their customers.
Following campaigning by Oceana and our allies, Oregon passed two new laws to combat the plastic pollution crisis. The first law phases out polystyrene foam foodware, packing peanuts, and coolers. Plastic foam is not accepted in curbside recycling and is one of the top items found polluting Oregon’s beaches. This type of plastic often breaks up into smaller pieces, disperses easily, and can persist in the environment for centuries. This law will also ban PFAS, nicknamed “forever chemicals,” from food packaging because they accumulate in the environment and pose a threat to human health. The second law requires the state’s health code to enable restaurants to use reusable containers to serve their customers.
April, 2023
New Law in Washington State Reduces Plastic Waste
Following campaigning by Oceana, the Plastics Free Washington Coalition, and other allies, a new law passed in Washington that increases access to refillable water bottle options, requires hotels to eliminate single-use plastics for personal care products, and reduces pollution from plastic foam-filled floats and docks. Specifically, it requires that new buildings constructed with water fountains also contain bottle refilling stations; phases out the use of small plastic containers, wrappers, and packaging for personal care items like shampoo or soap by hotels and other lodging establishments; bans soft plastic film-wrapped floats and docks; and mandates a study of hard-shell, foam-filled floats and docks. A 2023 poll conducted by Oceana found that 92% of Washington voters are concerned about single-use plastic products and 87% support local and state policies that reduce single-use plastic.
Following campaigning by Oceana, the Plastics Free Washington Coalition, and other allies, a new law passed in Washington that increases access to refillable water bottle options, requires hotels to eliminate single-use plastics for personal care products, and reduces pollution from plastic foam-filled floats and docks. Specifically, it requires that new buildings constructed with water fountains also contain bottle refilling stations; phases out the use of small plastic containers, wrappers, and packaging for personal care items like shampoo or soap by hotels and other lodging establishments; bans soft plastic film-wrapped floats and docks; and mandates a study of hard-shell, foam-filled floats and docks. A 2023 poll conducted by Oceana found that 92% of Washington voters are concerned about single-use plastic products and 87% support local and state policies that reduce single-use plastic.
March, 2023
Mexico Joins the Port State Measures Agreement to Address Illegal Fishing
Mexico joined the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), a binding international agreement to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The PSMA prevents vessels engaged in IUU fishing from using foreign ports and landing their catches in countries that have signed on to the agreement, which disincentivizes these vessels’ operations and stops their products from reaching national and international markets. Oceana played a crucial role in Mexico’s adoption of the PSMA, campaigning Senators, the Navy, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry to support the measure. According to Mexico’s fisheries agency, illegal fishing accounts for more than 40% of the country’s fish catch. Joining the PSMA will help to curb these illicit activities. Following Mexico’s adoption of this agreement, Oceana continues to campaign for a new national law that will increase transparency and traceability in the country’s fishing sector.
Mexico joined the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), a binding international agreement to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The PSMA prevents vessels engaged in IUU fishing from using foreign ports and landing their catches in countries that have signed on to the agreement, which disincentivizes these vessels’ operations and stops their products from reaching national and international markets. Oceana played a crucial role in Mexico’s adoption of the PSMA, campaigning Senators, the Navy, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry to support the measure. According to Mexico’s fisheries agency, illegal fishing accounts for more than 40% of the country’s fish catch. Joining the PSMA will help to curb these illicit activities. Following Mexico’s adoption of this agreement, Oceana continues to campaign for a new national law that will increase transparency and traceability in the country’s fishing sector.
March, 2023
Brazil’s Museum of Tomorrow Becomes Plastic-Free Zone
Brazil’s Museum of Tomorrow (MoT) announced on March 22, World Water Day, that it is now the first Plastic-Free Zone (PFZ) in the country. Oceana collaborated with the futuristic science museum to first establish the museum’s pilot program, which was widely supported by employees and included auditing the disposable plastics used in the museum’s operations, creating a plastic-free event guide, and engaging external suppliers. During the pilot phase, MoT and Oceana found solutions to eliminate most single-use plastic items, such as bottles, cups, bags, and plastic film. As a next step, the museum will extend plastic-free requirements to visitors, marking an end to the sale, use, and distribution of single-use plastics on museum premises.
Brazil’s Museum of Tomorrow (MoT) announced on March 22, World Water Day, that it is now the first Plastic-Free Zone (PFZ) in the country. Oceana collaborated with the futuristic science museum to first establish the museum’s pilot program, which was widely supported by employees and included auditing the disposable plastics used in the museum’s operations, creating a plastic-free event guide, and engaging external suppliers. During the pilot phase, MoT and Oceana found solutions to eliminate most single-use plastic items, such as bottles, cups, bags, and plastic film. As a next step, the museum will extend plastic-free requirements to visitors, marking an end to the sale, use, and distribution of single-use plastics on museum premises.
March, 2023
Deep-Sea Corals and Seafloor Habitats Protected in U.S. Pacific Waters
In the United States, the Pacific Fishery Management Council voted to reopen more than 4,500 square miles of Southern California ocean waters to recreational and non-trawl commercial gear used to catch groundfish while also permanently protecting more than 600 square miles of habitat including almost half of the area’s known deep-sea corals. These areas include coral and sponge ecosystems discovered by Oceana during a 2016 scientific expedition. The entire area remains closed to bottom trawling. This victory is a win-win for fishing communities and ocean biodiversity and is the result of a unique collaboration between recreational and commercial fishermen, Oceana, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife who worked together to design the new conservation areas. The council also voted to protect five ecologically important areas off the Oregon coast from all forms of fishing gear used to catch groundfish and known to harm seafloor habitats, including bottom longlines and pots. These five areas, which total 182 square miles, are already protected from bottom trawling, and will now receive an additional layer of protection with this action.
In the United States, the Pacific Fishery Management Council voted to reopen more than 4,500 square miles of Southern California ocean waters to recreational and non-trawl commercial gear used to catch groundfish while also permanently protecting more than 600 square miles of habitat including almost half of the area’s known deep-sea corals. These areas include coral and sponge ecosystems discovered by Oceana during a 2016 scientific expedition. The entire area remains closed to bottom trawling. This victory is a win-win for fishing communities and ocean biodiversity and is the result of a unique collaboration between recreational and commercial fishermen, Oceana, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife who worked together to design the new conservation areas. The council also voted to protect five ecologically important areas off the Oregon coast from all forms of fishing gear used to catch groundfish and known to harm seafloor habitats, including bottom longlines and pots. These five areas, which total 182 square miles, are already protected from bottom trawling, and will now receive an additional layer of protection with this action.
