USCG on Ballast Water. . . Marine Debris. . . Focusing on Solutions
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North American Marine Environment Protection Association NAMEPA Preserving the marine environment by promoting marine industry best practices
SEA WORTHY NEWS
January 2017
2017 marks NAMEPA's 10th year of fulfilling its mission to "Save Our Seas".  A sincere thanks to all our members, sponsors, and event attendees for your support and commitment to preserving the marine environment.
  
In this issue:

USCG Ballast Water Management BallastBallast Water Management- Beyond Type Approval
RADM Paul Thomas
Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy
United States Coast Guard 

Since September of last year, when the implementation date of the International Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention became clear, all eyes have been focused on the U.S. Type Approval Process.  Ship owners and operators have been concerned, in particular, with the differences between the between the U.S. and International Type approval processes and the potential that BWMS meeting the more stringent U.S. requirements may not be available prior to the entry into force of the International BWM Convention in 2017.

In December 2016, the Coast Guard type approved three BWMSs, . . .
  CLICK HERE to read more

Switch
reusable bag North American Marine Environment Protection Association NAMEPA
Marine Debris NAMEPA North American Marine Environment Protection Association Blog
Debris washed ashore during a storm
5 Reasons to Switch to Reusable Bags

In America alone, 1.8 billion (with a 'b') plastic and paper bags are discarded every week.  That is almost 100 billion every year.  YOU can make this number smaller by switching to reusable bags.  Below are 5 good reasons to make the switch.   
  1. Over 100,000 turtles, one million birds, and countless other sea animals die from ingesting plastic each year. 
  2. Plastic bags do not decompose.  Over the course of 10-20 years, they break down into toxic micro-plastic particles that pollute the oceans and our food supply.
  3. One reusable bag replaces over 700 disposable bags.
  4. Plastic bags cost more to recycle than they are worth.  Thus, almost 90% of all plastic bags do not get recycled.
  5. Many grocery stores offer a discount for reusable bags.
Save a turtle.
Save money.
Save Our Seas!!
Switch to reusable bags.

In honor of NAMEPA's 10th anniversary, we are reissuing our reusable bags.  Our new bags are made with recycled materials and will feature new graphics.  Would you like to see your company's logo on our new bag?  Contact g.nicholas@namepa.net about sponsorship opportunities. 

Marine Debris:  What is It and How Can You Help?
Julia Zeh
 
During the holiday season, it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of opening gifts and forget about the impacts of our consumption.  But it is also the new year, a time for reflection, and for considering changes we can make to our lifestyles in the upcoming year.  For example, I am planning to spend the next year, 2017, thinking about how to reduce the amount of waste which I create.  

Sitting around the living room together, my family joked about the gift wrap we used for the holiday and how familiar it looked since we reuse wrapping so often.
We aimed for a waste-free gift-giving this year, not buying any new items for gift wrapping whatsoever. Rather than worry about buying enough wrapping paper, gift bags, gift tags, and tissue paper, it was fun to see which bags and boxes have made a comeback year after year.

"The best bumper sticker I've ever seen," my grandmother told us between gifts, "was one that read 'Throw it away? There is no away.'"


Other Blog posts:

Restoring the Liver of New York Harbor
Bag
Your Company Logo on Reusable Bag North American Marine Environment Protection Association NAMEPA
A New Design to Bag Debris

In honor of NAMEPA's 10 year anniversary, we are reissuing our reusable bags.

The new bags are made from recycled materials and will feature a new design on the front.

Would you like to see your company logo featured on the bag? Sponsorship spaces are limited!  Reserve your spot today by emailing Gail Nicholas at g.nicholas@namepa.net. 


Solutions
NAMEPA Focusing on Solutions February 23 College Park Texas
Save the Date NAMEPA Events SaveDate
"Focusing on Solutions"
Maritime Event
February 23, 2017
Houston Pilots Conference Facility
Deer Park, TX

The maritime industry is experiencing the most aggressive regulatory change in history, with
  • adoption of a global sulphur cap of .5%
  • adoption of the ballast water management convention
  • a roadmap and strategy for greenhouse gases
  • including mandatory reporting of fuel efficiency by 2019
  • NECA proposal for the Baltic and North Seas
  • restriction of HFO in the Arctic
  • and more! 
Join your industry colleagues as we "Focus on Solutions" for these and other challenges facing the marine industry.
 

Featuring speakers from:  Houston Pilots, USCG, Wells Fargo, Environmental Defense Fund, NAMMA, Blank Rome, GTT, RightShip, ABS, and Port of Houston Authority
Upcoming Events
 
Thursday, January 26th, Presenting
"Marine Debris" to school groups 
Florida Aquarium, Tampa, Florida

Wednesday, February 8th, Co-Hosting 
Ocean Frontiers III, Leaders in Ocean Stewardship & the New Blue Economy
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia
 CLICK HERE for more information
 
Thursday, February 23rd, Hosting
"Focusing on Solutions" Maritime Event
Houston Pilots Conference Facility, Deer Park, Virginia
CLICK HERE for more information
  
Tuesday, February 28th
Harbor School Awards Dinner
New York Yacht Club, New York, NY
CLICK HERE for more information
  
Thursday, March 9th, Presenting- "Careers in Marine Industry:  Thinking Outside the Biology Box"
High School Marine Science Symposium (HSMSS)
Northeastern University Marine Science Center, Nahant, Massachusetts
CLICK HERE for more information
 
Friday, March 10th, Presenting
Women in Maritime Leadership Conference 2017
Cal Maritime, Vallejo, California
CLICK HERE for more information
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