oceanpolicy.com

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler traveled to Brazil this week in part to hold bilateral meetings in Brasilia with officials at Brazil’s Ministry of Environment (MMA) and National Water Agency. Wheeler called it “an honor” to be in the country “discuss these very important, cooperative issues, especially the reduction of marine litter,” adding that he is “excited about the [...]

The Coast Guard today announced that it is seeking comments by Monday, March 16 on its draft Massachusetts-Rhode Island Port Access Route Study.  The Coast Guard previously noted that the study is needed given recent wind energy leasing activity in federal waters in the region and the potential for 7 wind farms to be constructed in the area. The draft [...]

National Marine Fisheries Service Asst. Administrator Chris Oliver today highlighted recent U.S. meetings with Canada to address the conservation and protection of North Atlantic right whales, calling it “critical for both countries to take and sustain additional efforts to reduce right whale mortalities and serious injuries.” In the recent meetings, Oliver said that the U.S. noted [...]

In order to “provide the public with additional time and opportunity” to provide information, the Coast Guard today announced that it is extending the comment period through Tuesday, June 30 on its preparation of an Alaskan Arctic Coast Port Access Route Study to evaluate the need for establishing vessel routing measures.  The comment period was set to expire [...]

A working group of the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity today issued its draft post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, which includes action targets to protect at least 30% of the world’s ocean and land by 2030, with at least 10% under “strict protection” and to increase by at least 50% the world’s ocean and land that is under [...]