ECOLOGY
Whether you live ashore or at sea, ecology is an issue that has been on the agenda for more than fifty years. This page will provide a platform of awareness of the importance of protecting our planet.
On Hawaii Five-0, the subject of ecology came up as early as Season 1's "Strangers in Our Own Land" in which the sugarcane fields were being uprooted in favor of building "small, square boxes" for which the Hawaiian people would have to pay exorbitant rent for a place to live after the "system" removed them from their homes in Waikiki. Ecology came up again in "The Last Eden" and "Is This Any Way to Run a Paradise?" in which the issue of dumping garbage in the ocean came to light.
Autonomous Spill Response
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is testing a new system for responding to hazardous spill incidents -- without waiting for manned vessels to arrive. Read about it:
https://maritime-executive.com/article/marad-to-trial-autonomous-spill-response-vessel
Protecting the Vaquita Porpoise
Demonstrators gathered at thee Mexican Embassy in Washington to plead the case of the vaquita porpoise. It seems that the vaquita is an endangered species with only a few remaining around the world. Its biggest threat? You guessed it: Big Business. Read about it:
Protecting Fish Stock
What is the best balance for protecting fish stock while providing food? No one really knows, but studies are under way to find out. Read about it:
Study: Temporary Fishing Bans Can Protect Fish Stock. July 12, 2019. https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/study-temporary-fishing-bans-can-protect-fish-stocks
Ocean Pollution
One has to wonder whether this dumping is behind the present-day problem outlined in the following article:
Study: Over a Thousand Sharks and Rays Entangled in Plastic. The Maritime Executive. July 6, 2019. https://maritime-executive.com/article/study-over-a-thousand-sharks-and-rays-entangled-in-plastic
Oil Slicks
If you've ever been to Pearl Harbor, you know that oil is still leaking from the bowels of the USS Arizona. A barrier helps to keep it from spilling into the harbor. Now, with the sinking of three tugboats and a barge in the Illinois River, we see it happening all over again. Read about it in this article:
Three Tugboats Sink on Illinois River. The Maritime Executive. July 7, 2019.
https://maritime-executive.com/article/three-tugboats-sink-on-illinois-river
An oil slick is seen over the side of the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Even after 77 years, the sunken ship continues to leak its oil into the harbor. (Webmaster)
Plastic Waste
Organizations in the Nordic countries are making efforts to put an end to plastic waste contamination in the world's oceans -- and it's coming not a moment too soon.
https://maritime-executive.com/article/nordic-countries-call-for-ocean-plastic-treaty
Whale Rights
Canada is working to protect whales in and around the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They keep vigilant lookout, and when the whales are spotted, they impose mandatory reduction of speed for boats and ships in the region.
https://maritime-executive.com/article/canada-boosts-protection-of-north-atlantic-right-whales
Follow this page as we discuss more ecology issues that are as relevant today as they were back in Jack's day.