Oceana

Today is the first day of #PlasticFreeJuly! Today, plastics are everywhere, from the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountain peaks. But together, we can fight this plastic crisis and create a healthier, cleaner future for our planet. See how you can get involved today: https://oceana.ly/3LdNeuF

New Oceana analysis released this week shows nearly 3,000 fishing vessels spent months – and sometimes years – at sea without coming to port last year. These long voyages can be a risk indicator of illegal fishing activity or forced labor. “Extensive time at sea keeps vessels away from scrutiny and increases the risk of illicit conduct on the high seas. We cannot have accountability at sea without transparency at sea.” – Oceana Campaign Director Dr. Max Valentine Learn more: https://oceana.ly/3KZ1CXQ

Thank you to Reps. Jared Huffman, Ed Case, Mary Peltola and James Moylan for introducing new legislation to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the primary law governing U.S. marine fisheries. This bill will improve habitat conservation, bycatch management & requirements to rebuild fish stocks - critical for a healthy, restored ocean! Read more: https://oceana.ly/4cB33Hu

BREAKING: On June 22, Fisheries and Oceans Canada reported that a critically endangered North Atlantic right whale was seen in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The 18-month-old female calf of whale #1812 was spotted east of Miscou Island, New Brunswick, by a survey team from Canadian Whale Institute (CWI), Campobello Whale Rescue Team (CWRT), and Équipe de Désempêtrement du Golfe (EDG). Oceana Canada is calling on Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to urgently release their Whale Safe Gear Strategy as entanglements devastate critically endangered North Atlantic right whale populations. A tracking buoy has been attached to the whale and DFO and other partners will continue to monitor the situation to determine response options and, if weather and sea conditions allow, efforts will be made to attempt disentanglement. Kim Elmslie, Campaign Director at Oceana Canada, states: "Preventing the entanglement from happening in the first place is our only other recourse. Too many whales are being lost to entanglements in fishing gear and ship strikes. Ropeless gear is the way to prevent entanglements.” With only 356 North Atlantic right whales left, and about 70 breeding-age females, this species is on the brink of extinction. Immediate action is vital to their survival. Read the full statement here: https://bit.ly/4eCuG4Y

A WIN FOR WILDLIFE: Florida is banning the intentional release of balloons - balloons are one of the deadliest forms of plastic pollution for ocean wildlife. 🐬 We applaud the state for passing a new law to protect Florida's shorelines and ocean life. Balloons and their plastic ribbons, tie-off disks, clips, and other attachments can be easily ingested and swallowed by endangered sea turtles, seabirds, and other ocean wildlife. In fact, studies show balloons rank among the deadliest plastic for ocean animals. Florida's new law will help save ocean wildlife from these preventable deaths!

📣 GREAT NEWS: Last week, Amazon announced that they are cutting their plastic use in North America! Oceana's Matt Littlejohn calls this "welcome news for the oceans and the company’s customers." Learn more about this exciting ocean victory: https://oceana.ly/3VzPIsk

NOW HIRING: Campaigner and Policy Advisor: https://oceana.ly/3KQHzKS

🔥 Imagine if every time you put out a fire, you were required to start another one. That's the bizarre reality for clean energy in the U.S. today. Right now, the government can't move forward with clean wind unless it advances oil and gas drilling. We need to develop clean energy, like offshore wind, to help combat the worst impacts from climate change and #ProtectOurCoast. Speak up to protect our planet today: https://oceana.ly/3zfYioo

#BREAKING: Amazon is cutting its plastic use in North America, following campaigning by Oceana. The company just announced that it has has replaced 95% of the plastic air pillows from delivery packaging in North America with 100% recycled paper filler — a move they say is expected to “avoid nearly 15 billion plastic air pillows annually.” "As the world’s dominant e-commerce company, Amazon’s action to reduce plastic packaging is welcome news for the oceans and the company’s customers," said Matt Littlejohn, Oceana's Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. "While this is a significant step forward for the company, Amazon needs to build on this momentum and fulfill its multiyear commitment to transition its North America fulfillment centers away from plastic." Read more: https://oceana.ly/3VzPIsk

🌊 Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Vice President of Oceana in the Philippines, is exceptionally dedicated to protecting the Philippine's coasts and oceans, which are home to some of the world’s richest marine biodiversity and largest fisheries! Read more about her work, proudest accomplishments, and how Oceana is making change for local artisanal fishing communities! https://oceana.ly/3xpNO5j