Published by Ocean Conservancy The Trump administration recently finalized changes that will weaken key provisions of an offshore drilling safety rule commonly known as the “Well Control Rule.” The rollback is a big step in the wrong direction. The Well Control Rule was completed in 2016, after six years of work that included significant industry and […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Access to clean water was one of the primary reasons why I became an environmentalist. During my senior year of high school, I learned about inequitable access to safe drinking water. Still, it was not until learning of the water crisis in Flint a few years ago that access to safe water […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Narwhals are, arguably, one of the most enigmatic species of the Arctic Ocean—and rightfully so—they’re pretty incredible. Although few people have ever seen a narwhal, they are widely recognized for their unique tusk which lends itself to the most magical of nicknames: “unicorn of the sea.” And who doesn’t love a unicorn […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Last week, we lost a congressional icon—Former Michigan Congressman John Dingell. Dingell worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the American people while protecting the environment during his time in the House of Representatives. From fishing with his family to working as a park ranger in Rocky Mountain National Park, Congressman John […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy “How are the beaches?” This is a question we’ve heard hundreds of times this fall and going into this winter, from tourists and other folks who migrate to Florida by the millions when things turn icy and cold up north. Winter travelers come to Florida to soak up the sun and spend […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Last night Congress missed its deadline to agree on a funding solution to replace the expiring Continuing Resolution (CR) and the federal government has partially shut down. Until Congress can reach an agreement on federal funding that President Trump is willing to sign into law, dozens of agencies—including the EPA, Department of […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Palm Beach County officials found traces of Red Tide on their beaches earlier this week, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties will conduct testing on their beaches, and the west coast of Florida is still awash in dead fish. Florida’s red tide crisis seems to be getting worse by the day, and it requires […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy This blog was written by Charmaine Dahlenburg, Manager of the National Aquarium’s Chesapeake Bay Program. Estuaries are necessary for the health of people and the planet. They capture and filter stormwater runoff, reduce effects of flooding, prevent shoreline erosion and provide habitat for fish, birds, mammals and invertebrates. As our coastal populations […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy With many competing priorities for state attention this year, the California state legislature and Governor Jerry Brown had a lot of tough decisions to make, and compromises were the order of the day. However, Ocean Conservancy is pleased that the coast and ocean remain state priorities. Coastal and ocean issues were integral […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Everything started when Masahide Yamashita arrived in Seattle in 1902. At 19-years-old, Masahide tried his hand at various import-export endeavors ranging from lumber to pearls. But as the relationship between Japan and America waxed and waned, so did his business prospects. Yet he persevered. Parallel to Masahide’s struggle, the Pacific Northwest oyster […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy As I eagerly prepare my Thanksgiving oyster stuffing to cap off Virginia’s Oyster Month, I am particularly thankful for the hardworking men and women who raise my oysters. Virginia is now the East Coast leader for shellfish production, and that’s because of a persevering industry. Playing a foundational, behind-the-scenes role are the […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Late Sunday night, just before the midnight deadline, Governor Jerry Brown continued his and California’s leadership on the ocean and climate by signing Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de Leon’s parks and water bond, SB 5. This is a key step toward protecting our ocean, as the governor’s signature means that the […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy Restoring an ecosystem the size of the Gulf of Mexico is not an easy task. Therefore it’s necessary to have a good plan and even multiple plans for how to be successful in this endeavor. The latest addition to these plans is a series of strategic frameworks released last week by the […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy by Alan Barton, Production Manager, Whiskey Creek Shellfish Hatchery, Netarts Bay, OR Life working in an oyster hatchery is, at its core, just like any other type of farming. We’re largely at the mercy of our environment, and each season is full of peaks and valleys. But in the fall of 2007, […]
Published by Ocean Conservancy This piece was written by Mike Martinsen, Co-founder and Co-president of Montauk Shellfish Company Inc. For forty years, I have worked as a bayman in New York’s rich waters. You could find me bullraking hard clams, sail dredging oysters, dredging bay scallops and potting lobster. I have earned a living from these […]