Building Power for the Ocean at the UN Ocean Conference

After a two-year delay due to the pandemic, the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference returned to an in-person event this June. Thousands of people from around the world gathered in Lisbon, Portugal, to discuss the biggest challenges facing our ocean and how best to work together to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are a set of global priorities to be achieved by 2030 to ensure a healthy and livable future for people and the planet with a specific focus on our ocean. Representatives from several Ocean Conservancy teams and our CEO, Janis Searles Jones, were there and ready to make a splash!

Ocean Conservancy’s presence throughout the UN Ocean Conference was robust, contributing our voices and expertise throughout the many action-oriented discussions, from delivering plenary remarks and organizing side events to participating in the interactive dialogue on marine pollution, the Youth Forum, the Blue Economy Investment Forum and bilateral meetings with public and private sectors. The conference also offered the perfect venue to meet with our partners in person, building and cementing relationships with critical stakeholders in ocean conservation.

Here are some of the highlights from our teams on the ground:

Fighting Climate Change in the Ocean

It was abundantly clear at the UN Ocean Conference that enabling ocean-based climate solutions is a priority on the global agenda. Ocean Conservancy advocated for the full range of ocean climate action—from developing renewable offshore wind energy to protecting blue carbon and decarbonizing maritime industries. These actions will be included in countries’ nationally determined contributions as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process, particularly in the buildup to this year’s COP27. We also encouraged countries to meet their stated climate ambitions in all other UN fora including the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and the High Seas Treaty. The mandate to address the climate crisis is too urgent for countries to support bold mitigation and adaptation pledges in one meeting and then potentially block progress in another. During the conference, Ocean Conservancy submitted voluntary commitments on climate action. We also co-organized a high-level dinner for Friends of Ocean and Climate parties, a group of nations committed to advancing ocean climate action, where our CEO was a featured speaker.

Promoting Ocean Conservancy’s Global Ghost Gear Initiative® (GGGI)

Ghost gear—abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear—is the most harmful form of marine pollution, and the need to reduce it intersects with many other sustainable development goals (SDGs), such as ensuring food security.  Our GGGI team participated in many events throughout the UN Ocean Conference, raising awareness for the importance of addressing ghost gear as a major pollutant of the ocean. The team called attention to the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) movement to make gear marking mandatory. GGGI also co-hosted a side event and panel in the SDG media zone, and announced at a plenary session that Walmart, the largest retailer in the world, has become a member of the GGGI. The GGGI team also hosted an informal member gathering that brought together 30 of its stakeholders after years of virtual-only meetings! Since February, the UN has been working on a legally binding international instrument to address ocean-plastic pollution. The GGGI took this opportunity to advocate with member states to include ghost gear in the negotiations.

Confronting Plastics Pollution in the Ocean

The problems caused by plastics in the ocean and other forms of marine debris were prominent themes across many events at the Conference. As the process to approve the international legally binding instrument to address ocean-plastic pollution continues, Ocean Conservancy was front and center. Here, we advocated for upstream and downstream actions to reduce plastic pollution, the inclusion and empowerment of the informal sector and waste pickers in these negotiations, and the development of policy measures for innovative financial instruments to reduce ocean debris. At the conference, Ocean Conservancy participated in the Plenary and co-hosted a side event to raise awareness on some of these topics. Furthermore, we also supported plastic production reduction as an important climate solution, given that plastic is made from fossil fuels which are responsible for increasing carbon pollution in the environment.

Reducing Shipping Emissions Around the Globe

Seen from almost any angle, the problems created by shipping emissions are at the heart of the challenges facing our ocean. A number of events at the Conference, including several co-sponsored by Ocean Conservancy, brought attention to the impact of shipping on climate. We advocated more adequate greenhouse gas reduction targets than those set by the IMO and called for green shipping corridors around the world, nowhere more critical than in the Arctic where we must mitigate the risks posed by shipping to marine ecosystems. During the conference, Ocean Conservancy announced that DHL, Hillebrand-GORI, Inditex, Fisker and FGI Universal are the newest signatories of the Arctic Corporate Shipping Pledge. Altogether, 27 leading entities have committed not to use the Arctic as a route for shipping goods. Keeping shipments out of the Arctic will lessen the stress on these fragile ecosystems so that they can adapt and survive in rapidly changing conditions.

The UN Ocean Conference is instrumental in elevating a healthy ocean on the global agenda. This meeting in Lisbon was a clear call to action, a mandate to work together to protect our ocean. Ocean Conservancy brought expertise to the table, raised the profile of the ocean as related to climate change and created lasting connections with ocean stakeholders, all in the name of progress in the fight for our ocean. We look forward to the next UN Ocean Conference!

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Sea Birds to See in Florida

“Florida and beaches” are like “peanut butter and jelly”—they just go together, a match made in heaven. Between the soft sand, unique seashells, warm waters and fascinating ocean animals, there are so many things to love about Florida beaches. One of the best perks to walking along a Florida shoreline is simple: sea birds.

Florida is known as an amazing state for bird watching with a multitude of species that live there, but you don’t have to be a hard knocks bird watcher to catch a glimpse of a few sea birds. Sitting on a Florida beach, you can see sea birds ranging from the tall, proud blue heron to the tiny, cute snowy plover.

With that in mind, let’s swan dive into the sea birds of Florida and meet just a few of these cute fellow beach lovers.

American Oystercatcher

© Miki Jourdan/ flickr

The American oystercatcher is one hard-to-miss sea bird. These birds have long bright orange bills and yellow eyes with a red ring around them that make them look like they mean business! This sea bird can reach up to about 18 inches in length with a wingspan of up to 32 inches. As its name might suggest, this bird really does catch oysters. American oystercatchers primarily feed on mollusks, worms and jellyfish, using their long beaks as a shucking device to open the shells. The oystercatchers tend to nest in the sand or among shells, leaving their nests at risk to be threatened by beachgoers and predators alike.

Snowy Plover

© Matt Knoth/ flickr

This tiny sea bird is distinguished by its Speedy Gonzales-esque run along the shoreline and its small puffy look. The snowy plover can reach around six inches in length and have a wingspan of about 13 inches. These birds have short gray legs, black bills and white and gray feathers. These plovers nest along Florida beaches, building small nests with twigs and shells in the sand. They are highly at-risk due to increased human disturbances, predators and habitat loss. Lounging on the beach, you might be able to see one of these sea birds or another species of plovers that love Florida beaches, like the black-bellied plover or the piping plover. These sea birds are small yet mighty. Remember, if you happen to catch a glimpse of one, make sure not to disturb its habitat!

Ruddy Turnstones

© FotoFloridian/ flickr

Fittingly named, this brightly-colored sea bird features reddish—almost muddy-looking—plumage, which explains one half of its name (ruddy). The other half of their name (turnstones) comes from the fact that they use their bills to turn over stones, rocks and pebbles in search of the perfect sea food! You can typically find these birds lurking along the shoreline where the waves have pushed together shells and seaweed. Like many vacationers, these birds only winter in Florida; they breed in the Arctic tundra and travel a long way to catch some rays and take in the sights.

Brown Pelican

© Rodger Evans/ flickr

This next sea bird is known to be goofy-looking and can be seen soaring just above the ocean waves as it scoops fish into its large beak pouch. Brown pelicans have wingspans of up to six feet. Their brown coloring, long skinny necks, large beaks and throat pouches all come together to make that signature pelican look. On a typical warm summer day, you can find a group of pelicans sunning along a fishing pier and plotting their next flights. These birds dive headfirst into the ocean from heights of up to 50 feet to scoop up fish swimming just below the surface. Once they’ve retrieved their meal, they tilt their heads and let out the water collected in their bill pouch so they can safely snack on their fish. Although once threatened by the use of DDT, since its ban, this sea bird has made a remarkable comeback.

Blue Heron

© Diana Robinson/ flickr

The great blue heron is hard to miss on a Florida beach; these tall fellows have long legs, necks and bills, all of which add up to create a can’t-miss kind of sea bird. Great blue herons can grow up to five feet tall and have a wingspan of almost seven feet! They have unmistakable grayish-blue plumage that gives them their name. The great blue heron tends to be found along Florida marshes, lakes and even the occasional shoreline looking for their next snacks of fish or invertebrates.

Laughing Gulls

© Andrew Cannizzaro/ flickr

If you’ve ever visited a Florida beach, the sound of the laughing gull call will not be unfamiliar to you. In fact, when you close your eyes and imagine the sounds of the beach, the laughing gull call is most likely a part of the soundscape. These sea birds are among many species of gulls that spend their days flying over beaches and hanging around docks in large numbers looking for aquatic invertebrates or handouts from beachgoers. Their signature black heads and grey and white bodies give them a distinguishable look to go along with their iconic “laugh”. Curiously enough, these sea birds are a bit mischievous as they’ve been known to steal food from brown pelicans right out of their pouches. Talk about rude!

Clearly sea birds are sea-riously amazing animals that add an unforgettable signature on Florida shorelines.

If you ever find yourself strolling along a Florida beach, try to catch a glimpse of some of these amazing birds. Look down, and maybe you’ll see the speedy plover running across the sand, or look up, and perhaps a brown pelican will fly overhead searching for its next meal. These natural wonders are always in need of a little support to keep their beaches clean; visit Ocean Conservancy’s action center to advocate for the animals that rely on a healthy ocean like these spectacular sea birds.

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Meet the Real Ocean Animals of SpongeBob SquarePants

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Well, you know the answer, I hope! The Nickelodeon show SpongeBob SquarePants has been adored by many since it first aired in 1999. While the species that inspired some of its characters, such as Mr. Krabs and Patrick Star, may be easy to identify, there are a couple of species in this Nickelodeon classic cartoon that may not be so obvious. (And I think you should know a bit more about them as well.) Jump on in and take a trip down to Bikini Bottom with us and meet some of the real ocean animals behind this world-renowned cartoon cast!

SpongeBob

© Bryan Winter

All right, I have to say it … since he’s square, it might be worth considering that SpongeBob is actually a dish sponge that somehow become lost at sea as marine debris. But, for the sake of this blog (and the fact that the series’ creator was a marine science teacher and thought sea sponges were super cool and underrepresented animals), let’s say he’s a sea sponge. While these multicellular animals are some of the simplest in the sea, they play a huge role when it comes to maintaining healthy ecosystems. They’re filter feeders, pumping water through the canals of their bodies and securing food before expelling the water. Their special collar cells also have little whip-like appendages that trap food floating by. There are around 5,000 living sea sponge species today!

Gary

© Microcosmic:iNaturalist

Onto SpongeBob’s loyal companion (and supposed pet), Gary, who is a sea snail. These marine snails are a diverse group of gastropods; they can spend time on land, in saltwater or freshwater, can come in various colors and can be carnivores, herbivores or omnivores. These mollusks are a very important food source for many marine wildlife and help keep marine ecosystems healthy by performing tasks such as removing algae and dead plant matter.

Pearl

© Douglas Kahle

This glamorous and giant character (compared to the other cast members of the show, that is) is a sperm whale. The largest of all toothed whales, sperm whales can grow to be longer than the typical transit bus. The cartoon depiction of Pearl is actually spot-on when it comes to the size of her head: Sperm whale heads measure up to one-third of their bodies! Yet, while they might have enormous heads, they have comparatively small eyes, so Pearl’s eyes probably could’ve been sized down quite a bit. Sperm whales get their name from an organ in their heads called the spermaceti organ, which holds a reserve of oil that could be used in echolocation or to help their buoyancy.

Plankton

© Dr. Mikhail Matz

You guessed it: Plankton is indeed a type of plankton. These itsy-bitsy organisms range in size from two micrometers to more than 20 centimeters, and there are two main types: phytoplankton (tiny plants) and zooplankton (tiny animals). The Plankton character we’re talking about falls into the zooplankton category and is specifically most likely a copepod. A wild stat about copepods: There are more copepods in the ocean than any other multicellular organism!

All in all, this entertaining animated series has undoubtedly sparked curiosity for the underwater world in the minds of many who’ve watched it over the years. Be sure to visit our Wildlife Fact Sheets to learn even more about the diverse array of fascinating wildlife species that live in the deep blue sea.

 

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What are Brackish Water Environments?

Brackish water occurs when the freshwater from a river or lake meets the salty seawater of an ocean body. One key difference between these types of habitats is salt content, or the salinity of the water. Salinity is measured in a unit called parts per thousand (ppt), which refers to the concentration or percentage of salt in the water. For example, one ppt is the equivalent of one ounce of salt for every 1,000 ounces of water. While fresh water has an average salinity of less than 0.5 ppt, seawater generally ranges between 35-38 ppt. Brackish water, however, can range in salinity anywhere from 0.5 to about 30 ppt.

While most aquatic animals have adapted to live in either freshwater or saltwater environments, some unique animal species thrive in these fresh and salty estuaries, mangroves and marshes. Here are just a few of my favorite brackish water buddies:

Crocodiles

While alligators primarily live in freshwater, they have been known to adapt to brackish water environments like their cousin—the crocodile. In fact, the Florida Everglades is the only known environment where alligators and crocodiles coexist. However, crocodiles are better suited for brackish environments thanks to their lingual salt glands. These salt-excreting glands live directly under a crocodile’s tongue and help them better manage their electrolytes.

Mudskippers

These fish are the perfect examples of adaptation. Many species of mudskippers are amphibious and spend much of their time on land, which is ideal if you’re setting up residence in brackish water. The name is derived from the ability of the mudskipper to use its body and tail to skip and hop about on land. Mudskippers are highly adaptive to varying levels of salinity.

Bull Sharks

Unlike most other sharks, bull sharks can venture out of saltwater habitats and handle brackish or even fresh water. They spend a lot of time on tropical shorelines, but have been spotted inland in rivers and tributaries, including in the Amazon River. Bull sharks are diadromous which means they can migrate between salt water and fresh water easily. This is because some of the organs responsible for their excretion of excess salt (kidneys, liver, gills and rectal gland) decrease activity depending on their environment. Bull sharks travel to freshwater areas to spawn and juveniles stay in brackish nursery areas where this is less predation risk.

Oyster

Oysters are hard-working animals that are found both in the ocean and in brackish environments. As adults, oysters filter 25-50 gallons of water each day and take on the salinity of the water in which they reside. This is why you’ll find some places are famous for their sweet or salty oysters. Oysters in brackish environments tend to be sweeter since they are filtering less salt than oysters in brinier ocean water.

Manatees

Manatees can thrive in both freshwater and saltwater, making brackish environments no problem. While they can’t drink saltwater per se, manatee kidneys are specially adapted to help filter out excess salt—just in case. Manatees prefer slow-moving rivers and coastal areas, sticking mostly to mangroves where seagrass and other vegetation is thriving. They are vegetarians after all, even though they might sneak a small fish or occasional invertebrate.

But manatees are in trouble. 2021 was the deadliest year on record for manatees living in the warm coastal waters off Florida. According to state officials, the major cause is starvation due to the loss of seagrass beds. You can take action by asking the United States Department of Interior to put the manatee back on the endangered species list.

With voices like yours, we can help protect manatees and other beloved creatures that inhabit brackish environments. What is your favorite brackish water animal?

© James R.D. Scott

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Combating Plastic Pollution Crisis in California

Fewer plastics on our shelves? Check. Less plastic pollution in our ocean? Check. Dramatic increase in recyclability? Check. These statements could all become realities soon in the Golden State, and together, we can make it happen.

Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, or SB 54, which was introduced in the California State Legislature this week, is the most comprehensive legislation to address the plastic pollution crisis we have ever seen in the United States. Passage of SB 54 could set an incredible precedent for states across the country.

If you live in California, don’t wait—contact your legislator now and urge them to support SB 54.

The United States leads the world as the top generator of plastic waste while our plastic recycling rates remain below 10%. Ocean Conservancy’s own research shows that more than half of the most common items littering our beaches and waterways throughout the past 35 years are single-use plastic packaging and foodware. These are among the reasons that the U.S. ranks as high as third in countries contributing to the ocean plastic pollution crisis.

As monumental of a challenge as our ocean plastic pollution crisis is (and it is—11 million metric tons flowing into the ocean in a year!), we know how to solve it: stop plastics from getting there in the first place. And the most effective way to ensure that outcome is to to make less plastic and reuse more—SB 54 would do just that.

So what exactly would SB 54 do?

• This bill would be the first legislation to require a reduction in single-use plastic packaging and foodware—25% less! Not only would this reduce some of the most harmful plastics, but this legislation would also support investments in developing infrastructure for reuse and refill.
• This bill would also support California’s ability to recycle and reuse: it requires that all single-use plastic packaging and foodware actually be recyclable or compostable and holds producers accountable for the cost of managing their products and requires them to pay for the much-needed improvements to California’s recycling and composting systems. By shifting the financial responsibility of waste management to the producers through extended producer responsibility, this policy will create incentives to design products more compatible with a circular economy.
• This bill would also require plastic producers to provide significant funding to support environmental mitigation and cleanup efforts in communities most impacted by plastic pollution, production and harmful waste treatment like incineration.

Bottom line: If signed into law, SB 54 will mean fewer plastics on the shelves, fewer plastics in our communities and fewer plastics in our ocean.

California is poised to further its leadership in combating plastic pollution. How can you help make sure California gets it done? Californians: take action today by telling your elected officials to vote in favor of SB 54. If you don’t live in California, spread the word to your friends and family who do! Together, we can make a difference for our ocean and our planet.

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Urban Ocean Summit Successfully Supports Cities

As our ocean connects us, so does the need for solutions to protect it. Ocean Conservancy research has shown that one of the main ways to reduce the flow of plastic to the ocean is by improving urban recycling and waste collection systems. That’s why over the past two years, Ocean Conservancy’s signature program, Urban Ocean®, has been working with partners and communities around the globe to implement science-based solutions to reduce the plastic pollution stemming from cities.

In collaboration with our partners, Resilient Cities Network and The Circulate Initiative, Urban Ocean hosted the first city cohort’s virtual Accelerator Summit, a platform for cities to present their project ideas designed not only to improve their waste management systems and reduce plastic leakage but to holistically build urban resilience to potential partners and funders. Public and private institutions alike were invited to participate and learn about the cities’ work to combat plastic pollution locally and accelerate their journeys towards a just, resilient and sustainable future.

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As part of the Accelerator Summit, five cities submitted “opportunity statements” to potential partners and funders which included a description of their specific needs and the challenges they want to address. These statements also included project outlines and anticipated support needed to carry out the plans.

City Opportunity Statement Summaries:

Can Tho, Vietnam: Vietnam aims to reduce 75% of marine plastic debris by 2030 by eliminating single-use plastics and non-biodegradable plastic bags from all coastal tourism areas. Can Tho seeks to to demonstrate how a well-managed waste cycle in urban areas can enhance tourism, economic activity and equity to advance policy changes at the national level. They want to achieve this by reducing waste and illegal dumpsites, increasing waste sorting and waste collection and partnering with local community groups and Can Tho University.

Melaka, Malaysia: The Melaka Green City Action Plan, developed in partnership with the Asian Development Bank in 2014, highlights the goal of becoming a zero-waste state and reducing waste-related greenhouse gas emissions. There is also a high percentage of tobacco and cigarette litter in the city, which Melaka aims to tackle simultaneously to address plastic-waste and human-health concerns. The city in turn plans to review their smoke-free policy and expand smoke-free zones. Given that a legal and regulatory framework for household waste segregation and illegal dumping is already in place, the city wants to increase its efforts towards related enforcement and educational activities.

Panama City, Panama: Solid waste generation per capita in Panama is one of the highest in the region, and 42.2% of the District of Panama’s waste is improperly disposed. There is a common perception that even recycled waste ends up in landfills, discouraging separation. The city hopes to demonstrate the value of recycled material with longer-term structural solutions to strengthen the recycling industry in the city, promoting green jobs and equity, by partnering with NGOs, the national government and the private sector.

Pune, India: This city generates on average 2,100 metric tons of waste daily, which is among the highest in India. Pune wants to leverage its exemplary cooperative model for waste pickers to review and improve the city’s current waste management practices, formalize informal recyclers and create a litter-free city campaign.

Semarang, Indonesia: Currently, the city’s waste production significantly outpaces their collection infrastructure. Semarang aims to leverage community-based waste management models to incrementally strengthen waste collection in the city. Through increasing public awareness and improving management systems, the city wants to empower multiple stakeholders to increase equitable economic growth.

As a result of the Accelerator Summit, several new partnerships have been formed, and additional funding has been committed to support program cities in developing their resilience projects to combat the plastic-pollution crisis. Conversations are still ongoing, though some early successes and partnerships to date from the summit include:

• An additional $50,000 grant pool going to Urban Ocean cities. After reviewing the opportunity statements, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) announced a contribution of $25,000 which was then matched by the Resilient Cities Network to total an additional $50,000 which will be leveraged to support Urban Ocean cities to further develop their project ideas.
• Support from USAID in Semarang. The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) flagship program for implementing the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act to reduce ocean plastic flow is called Clean Cities, Blue Ocean. This program will support the City of Semarang to further develop its waste-management action plan drafted during the Urban Ocean program.
• A new cohort of Urban Ocean cities. During the summit, it was announced that three new cities in Southeast Asia and one city in Latin America will join the Urban Ocean program in 2022. The cities are expected to be announced in June.

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Everything You Need to Know About Dogfish

Everyone knows if they are a cat person or a dog person, but have you ever asked yourself this question: “Am I a catfish person or a dogfish person?” When on land, I’m a cat person through and through. But when it comes to our ocean dwellers, I’m a dogfish lover all the way. These sharks are 15/10, delightful in every way.

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So, if dogs are man’s best friends, where does that leave dogfish? Join me on an exploration of this question and many others:

Why are they called dogfish?

No, dogfish didn’t earn their name from being loveable human companions or from being very good boys. Dogfish earned their name from their pack-like mentality. Fishermen observed them chasing down fish together and thought they seemed like a pack of dogs. Dogfish definitely like to bring the party and can hunt in groups that can number into the thousands.

Are dogfish a type of shark?

Yes! They are part of the second-largest order of sharks, Squaliformes, which includes at least 130 different species. Dogfish are small with slender bodies and pointed snouts. Don’t let their small size fool you though, as their strong jaws and sharp teeth make them excellent predators. Some young dogfish are even known to attack prey two or three times their size!

What types of dogfish are there?

Spiny dogfish are probably the best-known type of dogfish and are one of the most abundant species of sharks worldwide. They are among the few shark species that have venom, which coats their dorsal spines. Spiny dogfish have grey backs and white bellies with white spots along their sides that fade with age. They can live for up to 80 years, which means that there may be spiny dogfish around today that were born during World War II, even before the internet and smartphones.

© Ben Thompson/ flickr

Fun fact: spiny dogfish likely have the longest gestation period of any vertebrate, up to 24 months. Imagine baking a baby in your belly oven for two years! Every Mother’s Day don’t forget to go to the sea and thank your local dogfish mama for her incredible labor. But, leave the flowers at home and get her a nice squid instead.

While the spiny dogfish is the most popular, there are at least 37 other species of dogfish around the world. Some have incredible names like the bighead spurdog and the dusky smooth-hound. My favorite is the big-eyed and beautiful Genie’s dogfish. This dogfish has the honor of being named after Eugene Clark, a famous shark scientist who worked tirelessly to understand and protect these magnificent animals. She discovered that some sharks don’t have to move to breathe, confirmed that whale sharks give live births and uncovered a fish species that produces an effective shark repellent.

Where do dogfish live?

Dogfish are bottom-dwelling sharks that can be found near coasts around the world. They are known to migrate long distances. One shark was recorded swimming all the way from the state of Washington to Japan. That’s a distance of 5,000 miles!

How can I protect dogfish?

Ocean acidification due to climate change could affect the way dogfish smell their prey. This could make it harder for them to hunt down squid and the other tasty treats they need to survive. Tackling climate change will not only make it easier for dogfish to find their favorite meals but will also protect all those amazing creatures that dwell in the ocean. Take climate action now.

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