BERMUDA WATERS PART OF RESEARCH INTO PLASTIC POLLUTION

UNCLAS HAMILTON 000021 SIPDIS EUR/WE (J. MARBURG AND D. PARADISE); EUR/PPD (L. MCMANIS AND A. PIPKIN) LONDON (R. HUBER) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV BD SUBJECT: BERMUDA WATERS PART OF RESEARCH INTO PLASTIC POLLUTION ¶1. (U) Local environmental group, Greenrock, hosted Global Pangaea Explorations, the owner of the research vessel "Sea Dragon," which is engaged in the first comprehensive study of plastic pollution in the world's oceans. The "Sea Dragon" was in Bermuda as part of a research voyage across the Sargasso Sea in the North Atlantic Ocean, collecting samples to study plastic accumulation and studying fish for possible plastic ingestion and toxins in their tissues. The voyage is part of a larger look at plastic pollution in the South Atlantic and North Pacific gyres. ¶2. (U) The American scientists were dismayed that every sample collected contained plastics. The "Sea Dragon" crew participated in a cleanup of Bermuda beaches, during which they gathered a lot of trash, most of which originated from the U.S. The crew also gave presentations to school groups and liaised with the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, a U.S. marine research and education nonprofit founded in Bermuda in 1903. Comment ¶3. (U) The Consulate took advantage of the "Sea Dragon's" trip to bring together a group of environmental supporters and government representatives at an event on January 22. CONGEN plans to partner with Greenrock to promote the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) Earth Hour on March 27, during which Bermudians will be asked to turn off their lights for one hour. The WWF recognized Bermuda as a flagship country for Earth Hour 2009. SHELTON