Research Paper: Topic: Illegal dumping into the World’s Oceans

The topic I chose for my research paper is illegal toxic dumping into our oceans. Is there really a problem of illegal dumping? Or is it a bunch of tree/water huggers that are making it out to be more than it is? I thought that this would be an appropriate topic because a good part of the tourism trade in Alaska comes from the cruise ships that have been known to dump their waste into the oceans. I also thought that it is more than just the cruise lines, it is also the runoff from the rivers that are polluted by man and machine, that goes into the ocean. How does this affect the subsistence way of life and how does that affect the plants and fish of the rivers and oceans? On a broader scale the harm committed by industries both here in the US and all over the world should be a concern of people. Scientist and environmentalist have been crying fowl for years, but the industries even though they are regulated, still argue that their way is clean and that they do not harm the oceans. Another culprit is the medical waste that ships dump that wash up on the shores of the beaches. Beaches in Californian have been closed because of the dangers. Radioactive material is dumped in the ocean; no one is really sure what the overall effect will be from drums of waste being dropped into the ocean will be.
This subject has been argued for years and the following passage highlights an act passed by the House and Senate in 1988 highlighted below:
Highlights of the "Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988" (S. 2030) as passed by the House and the Senate

TITLE I - OCEAN DUMPING BAN ACT OF 1988 (Amends the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, commonly called the "Ocean Dumping Act")
Makes it unlawful for any person to dump, or transport for the purpose of dumping, sewage sludge or industrial waste into ocean waters after December 31, 1991;
Prohibits, after the 270th day after enactment, any person from dumping, or transporting for the purpose of dumping, sewage sludge or industrial waste into ocean waters unless the person: (1) enters into a compliance or enforcement agreement (which includes a plan negotiated by the dumper, the State, and EPA for terminating dumping as well as a schedule which EPA believes will result in the termination of the dumping), and (2) obtains a permit issued by EPA under authority of sec. 102 of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA);
Provides for the payment of special fees for dumping and any penalties incurred by a dumper to be deposited into certain funds for use in finding alternatives to ocean dumping.

Of course there will be those who argue that the oceans are so huge that it will take more than illegal dumping to cause the oceans and the ecosystem to change or fail. Industries have such huge budgets and lobbying power and that means the diligence and research must continue and be enforced.

I think that there should be strong fines and charges brought against those who willingly pollute the worlds oceans with toxic waste. I believe strongly that our lives depend on the oceans and their continued stability and that if the marine life is harmed, then so will our lives be harmed. We depend on the oceans and we should take care of them.

Living in Alaska for over 38 years I have seen the result of the Exxon Valdez oil spill on the economies and way of life for people who depend on the ocean. Millions of people all over the world depend on the ocean to survive and we cannot let that be taken away.
But one has to realize that countries depend on ships to export and import their goods and it is unrealistic to expect them not to ship their goods. Commerce must continue. And, It is not unrealistic to ask them to abide by the rules and regulations set out to make the oceans a safe place for both mankind and the animal world. The ecosystem is a fragile thing and it must be taken care of.



Works Cited:
http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/mprsa/02.htm