Reducing Single-Use Plastic in U.S. Aquariums
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Partnership
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#OceanAction41347
Description
Plastic pollution is a problem that affects waterbodies and wildlife across the country and around the world from mountain streams, to the Great Lakes, to rivers running to the sea, and throughout major ocean basins. Over the past few years, there has been a surge of research on the amount of plastic pollution in the aquatic environment and its impact on wildlife and ecosystems, and even human health.
The Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) is a two-year (2016-17) pilot project designed to increase the collective impact of aquariums on shared ocean and freshwater conservation goals. The ACPs priority conservation goal for the 2016-17 pilot period is to reduce the sources of ocean and freshwater plastic pollution. Tackling this challenge in a meaningful way will take concerted action by consumers, industry, and government. ACP aquariums bring unique and powerful assets to catalyze action by each of these groups, as educational institutions with tens of millions of visitors to institutions each year, science-based sources of information with credibility among policy and decision-makers, and business leaders with relationships with corporations who can be change-makers at the national and even international level.
Aquarium of the Pacific, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, AZA, California Academy of Sciences, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, National Aquarium, New England Aquarium, North Carolina at Fort Fischer, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Seattle Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, South Carolina Aquarium, Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, Texas State Aquarium, The Florida Aquarium, Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Wildlife Conservation Society
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.1 | By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution |
Deliverables & Timeline
Eliminate plastic straws and single-use take-away plastic bags in ACP institutions by July 4, 2017.
Significantly reduce or eliminate single-use plastic beverage bottles in ACP institutions by December 1, 2020.
Provide and showcase innovative alternatives to single-use plastic for ACP institution visitors.
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Contact Information
Aimee David, Monterey Bay Aquarium Policy Program Director