Report: Ocean debris will likely worsen

[September 22, 2008]  HONOLULU (AP) -- A new report has determined current measures to prevent and reduce ocean debris are inadequate and the problem will likely worsen.

The congressionally mandated report says the U.S. and the international maritime community should adopt a goal of "zero discharge" into the ocean.

Keith Criddle, chair of the committee that wrote the 166-page report, says "despite all the regulations and limitations over the last 20 years, there are still large quantities of waste and litter in the oceans."

A National Research Council committee was convened at the request of Congress to assess the effectiveness of international and national measures to prevent and reduce marine debris and its impact.

[Associated Press]

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