SOS, Marine Debris: Bipartisan Bill Advances to Address Marine Pollution

Marine debris-laden beach in Hawaii Credit: NOAA Marine Debris Program

Fishing nets, single-use plastics, and even abandoned vessels are ending up in the ocean. Referred to as marine debris, such man-made products disposed of or abandoned in the marine environment are a growing problem. The 8 million metric tons of plastic marine debris entering the ocean every year damage habitats, threaten coastal communities, and harm wildlife.

The bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (S.1982), which builds on the Save Our Seas Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-265), would expand measures to reduce marine debris. In September 2019, two of the bill’s three titles passed out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, becoming S. 2372 and S. 2260. The third title is awaiting action by the Senate Commerce Committee. Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced a companion bill, SOS 2.0 Act (H.R. 3969), which is still in committee in the House of Representatives.

 

Save Our Seas 2.0: Enhanced Global Engagement to Combat Marine Debris Act (S. 2372)

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced Save Our Seas 2.0: Enhanced Global Engagement to Combat Marine Debris Act (S. 2372), previously title II of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, which passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on September 26^th, 2019. The bill is cosponsored by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE), Sen. Christopher Murphy (D-CT), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).

According to the bill, the United States would work with foreign governments, international organizations, and the private sector to recover marine debris, reduce plastic waste from the source, and advance the availability of reusable and recycled alternatives. Before the bill passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator James Risch (R-ID) amended it to include management of plastic waste imported by the United States and other countries.

 

Save Our Seas 2.0: Improving Domestic Infrastructure to Prevent Marine Debris Act (S. 2260)

On September 25^th, 2019, Save Our Seas 2.0: Improving Domestic Infrastructure to Prevent Marine Debris Act (S. 2260) passed the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The bill, previously title III of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, was introduced by Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and is cosponsored by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE), Sen. Christopher Murphy (D-CT), and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR).

The bill would strengthen domestic recycling systems and expand scientific research on microplastics in food and water systems. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on repurposing plastic waste into infrastructure. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) amended the original bill to exclude residential recycling improvements and include manufacturer incentives for designing packaging that can be recycled or repurposed.

“The passing of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act through two committees today builds even more momentum toward our goal of protecting the coastlines of the world,” noted Senator Sullivan (R-AK). Healthy oceans are crucial for resilient coastal communities, and this bill would strengthen national and international efforts to manage and limit marine debris.

The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate is the latest reminder that we must look at ocean and climate issues in an interconnected way. There are significant challenges facing ocean health, such as pollution, acidification, and rising temperatures, but the ocean also offers solutions, as discussed in this recent EESI article, “Oceans Can Help Tackle Climate Change.”

 

By Savannah Bertrand