Oceans / Public News Service

This, year the theme of Sea Otter Awareness Week is the species' key role in the mosaic of the ecosystem. (Wikimedia Commons)

Monday, September 20, 2021

Groups Push for Progress During Sea Otter Awareness Week

MONTEREY BAY, Calif. - This week, conservation groups are celebrating Sea Otter Awareness Week with online and in-person events across the state…

The Piney Point property has received 22 inches of rain since the start of June, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protections' motion to request to transfer control of the troubled former phosphate plant from its owners, HRK Holdings. (Pixabay)

Piney Point Pollution Could Overflow with Storms, Hurricanes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Due to the recent tropical weather systems threatening the region, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is …

The right whale population has decreased by more than 100 animals since 2010. (Stephen Meese/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Widespread Public Support for Protecting Right Whales

BOSTON -- A new survey finds widespread public support up and down the East Coast for protecting right whales from getting tangled up in fishing gear…

Backers of a new initiative say nearly 9 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the world's oceans each year. (Raftography/Sustainable Coastlines)

Measure to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Qualifies for 2022 Ballot

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A groundbreaking measure to reduce plastic waste has just qualified for the 2022 ballot. The proposal would give companies a …

Trawl nets are responsible for the majority of fish and shrimp catches worldwide. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Trawl nets are responsible for the majority of fish and shrimp catches worldwide. (Adobe Stock)

Commission Set to Change Rules on Shrimp Trawling

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission is expected to vote at its August meeting on a new amendment pertaining to shrimp …

Coastal Oregon communities like Yaquina Bay are in the process of updating their estuary management plans. (Jessica Miller/Oregon State University)

Eelgrass Research Could Help Guide OR Coastal Management

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A new study finds restoration of eelgrass, an important marine plant, depends mostly on where, rather than how. The findings could …

Virginia's new Coastal Adaptation and Resilience Master Plan is expected to use nature-based solutions, like wetlands restoration, to help absorb the impact of severe storms and flooding. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Welcomes Public Input on Coastal Flooding Plan

RICHMOND, Va. -- As floods grow worse from sea-level rise and more frequent storms along Virginia's Atlantic coast, the state is encouraging …

It's estimated that sea levels could rise another 18 inches by mid-century in Virginia. (Sarah/Adobe Stock)

Infrastructure Package Must Include Coastal Restoration, Groups Say

RICHMOND, Va. -- Conservation groups are asking Congress to include $10 billion for coastal restoration projects in its infrastructure package…

According to Ocean Defense Initiative, 18 coastal states have already identified more than $6 billion worth of resiliency projects to undertake if they receive funding through the American Jobs Plan. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental Groups Seek Funding for NY Coastal Resilience

NEW YORK -- Environmental groups across the U.S. are asking Congress for money in the next infrastructure package to curb the negative effects of …

A new report looks eelgrass restoration projects on the West Coast, including 14 in Washington state. (Danita Delimont/Adobe Stock)

Report: Vital Seagrass Restoration Needs Real Estate to Thrive

EVERETT, Wash. -- Eelgrass plays a vital role in marine habitats, but along the West Coast, it's disappearing at alarming rates. A new study found …

Florida mangroves' natural ability to curb flooding protected over 626,000 people during Hurricane Irma in 2017, according to a University of California Santa Cruz report. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Say FL Coasts Need Federal Dollars to Mitigate Storm Impacts

TAMPA, Fla. -- Environmental groups are urging federal lawmakers to allocate $10 billion in the upcoming infrastructure package for coastal …

A new study says California's eelgrass beds have been decimated by pollution, dredging, development, sea level rise and other problems. (Kathyrn Beheshti/U.C. Santa Cruz)

Loss of CA Eelgrass Leads to Coastal Erosion, Hurts Marine Life

MISSION BAY, Calif. -- An important part of California's coastal ecosystem, eelgrass, is disappearing, with 90% gone since the 1950s. A report …

On Florida's northwestern Gulf coast, the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve supports 664 jobs and generates $46.4 million, including $15.1 million in labor income. (NOAA/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: Apalachicola, Other Estuarine Reserves Help Power Local Economies

APALACHICOLA, Fla. - A system of little-known public lands protecting sensitive coastal habitats generates significant economic impacts for local …

Conservation groups would like more funding to restore wetlands at the site of the former Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Groups Call for $10 Billion to Bolster Shorelines Against Sea-Level Rise

SAN FRANCISCO - Sea levels in California are projected to rise up to 55 inches by the end of the century, so climate advocates are calling on …

Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order with an 8,000-megawatt target for offshore wind-energy generation by 2040. (agrarmotive/Adobe Stock)

Groups Say Expanding Offshore Wind Capacity Good for NC Economy

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Groups advocating for clean energy say Gov. Roy Cooper's recent commitment to expand North Carolina's offshore wind capacity will …

Forage fish are small, nutrient-rich species that serve as food for predators like saltwater fish, sharks, coastal birds and marine mammals. (Pexels/Milada Vigerova)

FL Researchers Study Links Between Prey Fish, Predators and Algal Blooms

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- For the most part, if you're a fish, you're either prey or predator, but Florida research is finding the symbiotic relationship …

Florida's Blue-Green Algae Task Force outlined in 2019, "Increased delivery of nutrients to Florida's water bodies is widely recognized as the primary driver of algal proliferation and subsequent degradation of aquatic ecosystems." (lasaa/Pixabay)

As Toxic Algae, Other Issues Bloom, FL Environmental Secretary Resigns

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Today marks the last day on the job for Florida's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) secretary, who turned in his …

New College Institute in Martinsville, Va., just started offering wind-turbine safety certification training to meet the need for clean-energy job openings. (Adobe stock)

A Year After Clean Economy Act, VA Sees Renewable Jobs Expand

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- One year after Virginia adopted its Clean Economy Act, workforce development and new jobs in clean energy are booming in the …

According to a 2017 National Renewable Energy Lab report, North Carolina's coast has more offshore wind potential than any other state along the Atlantic coast. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — According to a 2017 National Renewable Energy Lab report, North Carolina's coast has more offshore wind potential than any other state along the Atlantic coast. (Adobe Stock)

Biden Administration Greenlights Offshore Wind in NC

RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina is ramping up plans to lease offshore wind-energy areas to developers, as the Biden administration expresses support …

Rising severe weather patterns are causing more roadways in Maryland to flood, as in Ellicott City in 2016. (Wikimedia Commons)

Report: MD Road Flooding Costs Millions Each Year

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- With another extreme hurricane season about to start, a new study found roadway flooding in Maryland occurs not just on the coast …

This image depicts Piney Point's water management features. This year, a liner in the wastewater pond leaked again, causing Manatee County to declare a state of emergency. (FPWC)

Lawsuit Launched Over Piney Point Wastewater Leak

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Conservation groups say Florida's environmental regulators ignored a decade of warning signs - including advice from the U.S…

The last wild populations of Atlantic salmon in the United States are found in Maine's rivers, and groups say four hydroelectric dams on the Kennebec River need to be removed to help protect them. (Kevin/Adobe Stock)

Groups Say Kennebec River Dams Threaten Endangered Atlantic Salmon

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Maine conservationists say four dams on the Kennebec River are the biggest threat to Atlantic salmon populations, and groups intend …

Salt marshes have disappeared over the past two decades along the Eastern Seaboard and other coastlines because of development, polluted runoff and rising seas. (Adobe Stock)

Military, Government Groups Endorse NC Salt-Marsh Protection Plan

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- A group of military and government leaders has endorsed an initiative to protect the one million acres of salt marsh that …

The Interior Department's "America the Beautiful" report outlines key principles to guide the next decade of conservation efforts. (coachwood/Adobe Stock)

Fishing to Play Key Role in Next Decade of Conservation Efforts

BRUNSWICK, Maine -- Members of the Maine fishing industry are among those looking forward to having a seat at the table, to make progress toward the …

Sponge beds teeming with life, such as this one in Mendocino, can be destroyed by seabed mining. (Northwest Fisheries Science Center/NOAA)

As WA Bans Seabed Mining, Advocates Call on CA to Follow Suit

MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. -- Ocean advocates in California are calling for a preemptive ban on seabed mining, saying the Golden State is the weak link …

A study by the National Academy of Sciences reveals salt marsh provides an average of $695,000 per square mile a year in protective value to Southeast communities and military installations from storm-surge flooding. (Adobe Stock)

Million-Acre Southeast Salt Marsh Conservation Plan Gets Green Light

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- An initiative to conserve a million acres of salt marsh from Northeast Florida to North Carolina is in motion, following …

Supporters of the seabed mining ban say the practice would hurt sensitive habitats on Washington's coast. (Ferrous B�ller/Flickr)

Seabed Mining Opponents Off WA Coast Find Win in Legislature

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Gov. Jay Inslee signed a seabed mining ban into law Monday. The measure prohibits mineral extraction within three miles of …

North Carolina's commercial oyster landings rake in millions of dollars in revenue each year. (Adobe Stock)

Ambitious Vision for NC’s Oysters Outlined in New 5-Year Plan

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. -- Restoring oysters can boost water quality and offer shoreline protection from storms, and this week the North Carolina Coastal …

Dominion Energy plans a wind farm off of Virginia's east coast that experts say would provide 10,000 jobs during six years of construction. (Adobe stock)

Biden’s Climate Plans Could Bolster Virginia Clean-Energy Jobs

RICHMOND, Va. -- With President Joe Biden's virtual climate summit over, Virginia environmentalists say the president's clean-energy actions and …

The Biden administration says a thriving offshore wind industry will drive new jobs and economic opportunity, on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico. (Adobe Stock)

NC Poised for New Jobs, Major Investment in Wind Energy

WILMINGTON, N.C. - North Carolina is poised to be a major player in the wind-power industry, and the Biden administration says it has a $3 billion …

The most recent manatee population survey by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shows 400 Florida manatees died in 2019. But 2021 could set a new mortality record, due to water pollution and loss of food and habitat. (Adobe Stock)

FL Manatees Face Greater Threats to Habitat, Health

TAMPA, Fla. -- Polluted wastewater released into Tampa Bay at Piney Point in the last two weeks is only one threat to Florida manatees, as an …

The Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection is partnering with Tampa Bay area governments and the Tampa Bay Estuary Program to monitor water quality at locations affected by the Piney Point breach. (Pexels)

Tampa Bay Braces for Red Tide Outbreak After Toxic Wastewater Leak

TAMPA, Fla. - The uncontrolled release of millions of gallons of polluted wastewater at Piney Point into Tampa Bay is raising concerns about a …

The view of water-surrounded downtown Swansboro, shown here in September 2019 at bottom right, reflects changes caused by Hurricane Florence a year earlier. (Mark Hibbs/SouthWings)

Coastal Resilience Goal of New State Program

By Jennifer Allen for the Coastal Review Online, with support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for …

Sea otters can weigh 45 to 65 pounds, and can be injured or killed by a boat strike. (Wikimedia Commons)

Otters at Risk for Boat Strikes as CA Salmon Season Opens

MONTEREY BAY, Calif. -- Salmon season starts this coming weekend, and it's expected to draw hundreds of fishing boats to the central coast. …

Catching salmon is big business for communities along the Oregon coast. (ftfoxfoto/Adobe Stock)

NW Proposal Could Boost Salmon 'Boat to Plate,' Supporters Say

PORTLAND, Ore. -- If the Pacific Northwest has a taste, it's for the region's salmon, but as the iconic fish species dwindles, it also effects a food …

Many in the Northwest fishing industry say some of their challenges stem from four lower Snake River dams and their effects on salmon migration. (kellyvandellen/Adobe Stock)

Simpson's NW Salmon Plan Gets More Backing

BOISE, Idaho -- If the Pacific Northwest has a taste, it's for the region's salmon, but as the iconic fish species dwindles, it also effects a food …

Texas has the highest number of billion-dollar weather disasters and leads the United States in total cumulative costs from billion-dollar disasters since 1980, according to NOAA. (andrewtheshrew/Pixabay)

Climate Change Expected to Increase Displacement, Migration in Texas

HOUSTON -- The Biden administration has said it wants to prevent worst-case scenarios due to climate change, and Texas has several risks that need to …

President Joe Biden has set a goal of eliminating pollution from fossil fuels in the power sector by 2035, and from the U.S. economy overall by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

ND Group: Biden Moratorium on Oil Leases "Good Step"

BISMARCK, N.D. -- President Joe Biden has placed a freeze on new oil and gas leases on public lands and waters. A North Dakota conservation group …

Low-income communities and communities of color have been disproportionately affected by climate change, and air and water pollution. (Walter Siegmund/Wikimedia Commons)

Colorado Latinos Welcome Biden’s Climate Orders

DENVER -- The Colorado chapter of Green Latinos welcomes the trove of executive orders signed by President Joe Biden this week meant to tackle climate…

In the past two centuries, as many as 85% of all oyster reefs have been lost across the globe. (HDR Engineering)

Newest TX Oyster Sanctuary Doubles as Commercial Harvest Reef

HOUSTON -- A newly completed oyster habitat in Galveston Bay promotes conservation while still recognizing the importance of commercial oyster harvest…

In cities like Wilmington, N.C., Black residents are more likely to live in areas with higher levels of air particles known as "PM 2.5 pollution," linked to lung and heart disease. (Adobe Stock)

Biden Executive Orders Prioritize Climate, Environmental Justice

RALEIGH, N.C. -- President Joe Biden will release a slew of executive orders aimed at curbing pollution, conserving natural lands, and addressing …

A new federal Office of Climate Change is expected to address the intersection between climate change and public health; for example, pollution in certain communities leading to higher rates of respiratory illness. (spiritofamerica/Adobe Stock)

ME Climate Expert Applauds Exec. Orders to Tackle Climate Change

AUGUSTA, Maine -- President Joe Biden will sign a bundle of executive orders today, reversing more Trump-administration rollbacks and setting new …

President Joe Biden is moving swiftly on policies to move the nation closer to a clean-energy economy. (Adobe Stock)

Michigan Groups Welcome More Climate Action from Biden

LANSING, Mich. -- Conservation groups in Michigan are welcoming the Biden administration's commitment to environmental protection. President Biden …

Climate change could result in the displacement of more than 140 million people - particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America - before 2050, according to a 2018 World Bank Group report. (Adobe Stock)

As NC Temps Rise, Climate Migrants Expected to Increase

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Experts say food shortages, housing insecurity and other hardships many North Carolinians are experiencing from the pandemic could …

The administration wants to review the Trump EPA's weakening of vehicle-emission standards. (Nady/Adobe Stock)

Biden's Clean-Air, Climate Actions Seen as Benefit for PA

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Environmental advocates say President Joe Biden's actions on clean air and climate will make a big difference for air quality in …

Wind has the potential to support over 600,000 jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance and supporting services by 2050, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Wind has the potential to support over 600,000 jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance and supporting services by 2050, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Most NC Voters Support Offshore Wind, 100% Clean Energy

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A new poll found more than six in 10 North Carolina voters think the state should be prioritizing wind and solar energy. Nearly 90% …

Every winter, hundreds of seals bask on the offshore rocks of Plum Island. (Robert Lorenz)

Island Wildlife Haven Saved from Public Sale

NEW YORK -- An island in Long Island Sound with hundreds of acres untouched for 70 years has been saved from the auction block. Plum Island is the …

Gray whales are one of more than 70 species that get trapped in gillnets, which have a large percentage of incidental bycatch. (NOAA)

President Vetoes Bill to Ban Fishing Gear Harmful to Dolphins, Other Sealife

MONTEREY, Calif. -- Groups that fight for healthier oceans are vowing to fight on after President Donald Trump vetoed a bill to ban an outdated type …

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