Law targets plastic trash in ocean
ELLSWORTH
Legislation aimed at reducing plastic ocean debris, which was co-sponsored by Maine’s two U.S. senators, was signed into law this month.
The bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act was introduced in June to tackle the problem of plastic waste on a global scale by spurring innovation and international cooperation. The legislation builds on the Save Our Seas Act, which was signed into law in October 2018 and reauthorized NOAA’s Marine Debris Program.
Save our Seas 2.0, among other provisions, establishes a Marine Debris Foundation and a prize competition to encourage fresh ideas on removing and preventing plastic waste. The law directs federal agencies to prioritize marine debris removal as well as to encourage and advise other nations on their efforts. It also improves domestic infrastructure to prevent marine debris through new grants and studies of waste management and mitigation.