Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the Trash Free Seas Act of 2011, a bill to reauthorize and strengthen the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act, MDRPRA. This act, of which I am proud to have been the original sponsor, was first passed in 2006 to address the pervasive issue of marine debris which is found in myriad forms throughout our oceans. It created programs in both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, and the U.S. Coast Guard that research, track, and work to mitigate and remove marine debris and its associated impacts. The Trash Free Seas Act would update these programs to incorporate advances in our understanding of the issue and allow for greater regional and international coordination in our mitigation efforts. Marine debris is a catch-all term that encompasses everything from floating refuse to lost fishing nets and pieces of micro-plastic. In all its forms, however, it is something that was once manufactured and has since been lost at sea through accident, intent, or act of nature. Once at sea, the impacts of marine debris may reach unintended shores as it drifts on ocean currents and harms our ecosystems and economies. This harm may come from direct interactions such as physical damage to a coral reef or fishing vessel; through indirect impacts such as the concentration of harmful chemicals in floating plastics; or from a reduction in tourism due to the unsightliness of a littered beach.…”