Let's Stop Cruise Ships From...

[Ninong]

...Dumping Their Sh!t Off Our Coast

Federal environmental regulators in San Francisco today announced a new plan to ban large cruise and cargo ships from discharging their sewage within three miles of California's coastline.

The move is part of an effort to close what California environmental agencies and environmental groups said is a gap in the state's coastal water protection. The proposal, which would ban ships weighing 300 tons or more from releasing sewage within three miles of the state's 1,600 miles of coastline, is expected to take effect after a 60-day comment period, which begins today.

"What this will do is say it's illegal to discharge sewage of any kind in this three-mile zone," said Jared Blumenfeld, regional administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, at a news conference overlooking the San Francisco Bay late this morning.

Blumenfeld said Californians view the state's coastline "as a treasured, pristine place" that supports recreation, tourism and the fishing industry.

He said California's no-discharge zone, which would be enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard, would be the largest in the country and would eliminate an estimated 20 million gallons of sewage from coastal waters.

The new regulation "will give us the final authority we've been seeking," California Secretary for Environmental Protection Linda Adams said.

The state had requested that the EPA establish the no-discharge zone under the federal Clean Water Act.

Russell Long of Friends of the Earth called it " a little bit of good news" for a marine environment "under siege" by oil spills, garbage, ocean acidification and polar melting.

He, like Blumenfeld, called on other states to consider similar measures.

"We hope that this will be precedent-setting," Blumenfeld said.

Sorry but I can't get the original link to work. Here's the original link: Let's ban cruise ships from dumping their urine and feces into our bay [SF Appeal]

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Its a shame they limited it to 3 miles. I think a ban on dumping should be imposed ocean-wide.I lived in the monterey bay area almost all my life. I remember how discusting the water used to be when I was a child. Then they declared the bay a marine sanctuary banning cruise ships altogether (until recently) and man what a difference that made. The ocean was actually blue again. Isn't off shore dumping just a devistating as untreated sewage being dumped near the coastline?
I guess its a start though.

[Ninong]

Are they allowing large cruise ships in Monterey Bay? I didn't know that?

I lived in Monterey from 1979-1981.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

The last time I remember seeing a cruise ship in the Monterey Bay was in 2004. They are strictly prohibited to dump and are monitored closely by the Coast Guard. I'm not sure if it was a beta test for environment impact or if it was an attempt at boosting the local economy. I remember seeing it on the local news. I worked at a Ford dealership a mile from the coast and saw the ship from the freeway. The passengers were shuttled from the ship which was anchored offshore. I don't know if they are still allowed though.

Cruise Ship Off Mark In Monterey Bay? - Central Coast News Story - KSBW The Central Coast

edit: I posted the wrong link. It has been replaced.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

The Norwegian 'Pride of aloha' cruise ship holds 1600 passengers. While not the largest of cruise liners, 1600+ passenger's sewage is still quite a "load". No pun intended.

[Original Fin]

I was just at the Monterey Bay Aquarium today! My daughter is finally getting old enough at 20 months to appreciate and enjoy...she really had a blast this time. We were there back in June too. We're going to look into getting season passes, despite the 2 hr ride to get there. Man, what I wouldn't do to get a job there.
Oh, we also went to the New England Aquarium in July. I'm originally from Massachusetts. I remember Boston Harbor back in the 70's/early 80's and it was unbelievably poluted. They've done such a great job cleaning it up. How it could ever come back from what it was boggles my mind. I remember the water looking just like antifreeze.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

I was just at the Monterey Bay Aquarium today! My daughter is finally getting old enough at 20 months to appreciate and enjoy...she really had a blast this time. We were there back in June too. We're going to look into getting season passes, despite the 2 hr ride to get there. Man, what I wouldn't do to get a job there.
Oh, we also went to the New England Aquarium in July. I'm originally from Massachusetts. I remember Boston Harbor back in the 70's/early 80's and it was unbelievably poluted. They've done such a great job cleaning it up. How it could ever come back from what it was boggles my mind. I remember the water looking just like antifreeze.

I love the Monterey bay aquarium. Season passes are the way to go as the ticket prices are so high. Too bad the only reef set ups are in the children's section but its still plenty to gawk at. I went to Maui this summer and got to check out their aquarium. It was small compared to Monterey but they defiantly maximized their space. The hammerhead exhibit was awesome. You should really check out the Steinbeck Museum in San Fransisco. I haven bee there yet but I hear the redesign is awesome! I really need to make time to go.

The Monterey Bay was nasty looking in the 80's. Hardly anyone went in the water. Recently, anytime the sun is shining, the beaches are flooded with people. They even swim despite the water temperature being in the 50's

[Original Fin]

That's what I thought too...wish there were more reef tanks. I think today was my fourth time, and it seemed like there were several new exhibits. Either that, or I just totally missed them before. Anyway, there's a Sea Horse exhibit that has an incredible mixed reef tank...by far the biggest and best reef in the whole aquarium.

View My Video

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

I forgot all about the seahorse exhibit. I wonder if they use water from the bay in their reef tanks. I know they use ocean water for the other tanks. They probably do. Imagine the damage to the exhibits if the ships were allowed to dump in the bay. With all the money and effort invested, I'm sure the Monterey Bay Aquarium monitors their source water closely and reports to local authorities if concerns arise. It would be a disaster to see the livestock suffer from pollution of the bay. I still don't understand how the abalone farms are thriving underneath the wharf with all the small ship's pollution at the docs. theres always an oil slick just barely visible off the docs. Maybe a drop in the bucket compared to the water volume and flow in the bay.