Oceana in New England

08/25/2026

DYK? The MA state legislature is considering an environmental bond bill (S.3064 / H.5510) that could reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean and our communities by phasing out unnecessary single-use plastic products, including carry-out bags and small hotel toiletry bottles. This bill is in Joint Conference Committee and is in the process of being finalized.

Taking decisive action now will help prevent environmental damage, protect marine wildlife, and strengthen Massachusetts' response to climate change.

PLEASE CHECK BACK HERE as we will be posting an online petition for YOU to use your voice / to send to your State Legislators with this ask in the coming days.

Thank you for spreading the word!
Just Zero Beyond Plastics Elders Climate Action - Massachusetts Chapter Environment Massachusetts Surfrider Foundation, Massachusetts Chapter Sierra Club Massachusetts Mothers Out Front in Cambridge Concord, MA - Mothers Out Front Clean Water Action Massachusetts Seaside Sustainability

08/24/2026

Did you know it's National Parks Week? To celebrate, we’ve rounded up 5 of our favorite U.S. national parks that boast unique views and ecosystems.

Read more about our top picks and how you can help protect them 👉

https://bit.ly/4fnIkMf

Read more to learn about some of Oceana’s favorite protected spaces and what makes them such special places.

08/20/2026

Today, Oceana’s Field Campaigns Manager, Nancy Downes, had the pleasure of stopping by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s (MA-7) district office in Boston to update staff on our priorities on plastic pollution, stopping the expansion of offshore oil drilling, and protecting North Atlantic right whales.

Oceana thanks the Congresswoman for being an original cosponsor on the Farewell to Foam Act and cosponsoring the New England Coastal Protection Act.

Thank you for your leadership 👏👏

08/19/2026

Letter to the Editor: End single-use plastic

As we venture outside on these glorious summer days, one thing remains constant throughout the seasons: Single-use plastic pollutes our beaches, streets, rivers and stunning coastline. Scientists estimate that 33 billion pounds of plastic enter the ocean every year. That is roughly the same as dumping two garbage trucks worth of plastic into the ocean every minute. Approximately 16,000 chemicals are used to make plastic. A quarter of those are known to be hazardous to human health and the environment. And marine animals – many of which are endangered – are consuming or becoming entangled in the plastic flooding our oceans. Massachusetts is woefully behind neighboring states with tackling our plastic pollution problem, but the state Legislature can make progress this year. Our state leaders must ensure the final environmental bond bill includes limits on single-use plastic bags, tiny hotel toiletry bottles and other plastics as well as require a study on polystyrene, one of the most problematic plastics. Let’s do some good for our oceans and public health this summer by urging our lawmakers to reduce single-use plastics in the final environmental bond bill.

Nancy Downes, field campaigns manager, Oceana

This originally appeared in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette: Letters to the editor, Sunday, Aug. 16

08/16/2026

As the U.S. government works to fast-track approvals for ocean mining, some of the most unique marine life and ecosystems on the planet are at risk of irreversible damage.

Learn more about the areas they want to mine & how you can help protect our oceans: https://oceana.ly/4fY519B

08/16/2026

FUN FACT: North Atlantic right whale mothers are known for sweet behaviors, such as “cradling” their young or “whispering” to them.

But even these magnificent moms get worn out by raising little ones. Right whale mothers will “take breaks” from their calves by rolling onto their backs and floating at the surface. This behavior is thought to help them conserve energy while trying to meet the energetic demands of nursing their young.

There are only around 380 of these extraordinary creatures remaining. Learn more about what we’re doing to protect them: https://oceana.ly/4xGdvs0

08/03/2026

“The REUSE Act has already passed the Senate. It's time for the House to follow suit. The bill directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop widespread reuse and refill systems in the U.S.

Let's do something right by protecting our oceans, communities and wildlife, by asking our lawmakers to phase out single-use plastics and shift to reuse and refill systems locally and nationwide.” Sun Journal

We can't get out of this mess without intelligent policymaking.

07/31/2026

07/21/2026