New Tactics In California To Reduce Ocean Trash
Environmental groups struck out last year with legislative efforts in Sacramento to reduce the sources of ocean garbage. But this year, several groups are adding a new strategy.
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The Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego research vessel New Horizon explored the North Pacific Ocean Gyre on Aug. 11, 2009, as part of the SEAPLEX voyage.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
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A group of doctoral students and research volunteers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego collect plastic samples and explore the problem of plastic in the North Pacific Gyre.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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Charting the August 2-21 expedition of doctoral students and research volunteers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego aboard the New Horizon to explore the problem of plastic in the North Pacific Gyre.
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After setting sail aboard R/V New Horizon on August 2, 2009, members of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography SEAPLEX expedition are trained in using a conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) instrument.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
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Floating debris found by the SEAPLEX expedition. The debris at the center of the North Pacific Ocean has the potential to damage marine life and alter the biological environment.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
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Sample collected by the SEAPLEX expedition by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
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Specimens collected by the SEAPLEX expedition. Garbage is being studied for its effects on marine life.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
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Garbage collected by the SEAPLEX expedition. The debris at the center of the North Pacific Ocean has the potential to damage marine life and alter the biological environment.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
Environmental groups struck out last year with legislative efforts in Sacramento to reduce the sources of ocean garbage. But this year, several groups are adding a new strategy.
Environmental groups say plastic does not biodegrade and is bad for marine life and the health of the ocean.
Research shows nearly 80 percent of the plastic found in the ocean comes from activities on land.
Legislative efforts to pass bills to reduce plastic pollution at its source have been unsuccessful.
Gina Goodhill works as an Oceans Advocate for Environment California.
"In 2009, several environmental groups, including Environment California, were really working on a slew of bills on the statewide level," Goodhill said.
The failed bills included a plastic bag fee and a ban on single-use Styrofoam take-out containers.
Goodhill said the groups are not giving up on legislative efforts in Sacramento.
But she said this year they're trying a new tactic.
"We think the local level is actually the way to go," Goodhill said. "Because even though the state hasn't realized it, cities are realizing it. That plastic is pervasive in the environment, it's harming the oceans, it's harming their communities and their tourism and they need to actually start taking a stand on this issue."
She said 38 cities in California have passed several policies to reduce ocean trash, including bans on single-use styrofoam take-out containers.
Goodhill recently met with representatives from some cities in San Diego County to assess interest in passing similar measures.
