Footage recently captured from the Rio Las Vacas in Guatemala has drawn attention. This visual record, taken just last week, highlights the current state of this significant waterway.

The imagery provides a timely glimpse into the environmental conditions affecting the region. Such documentation is crucial for understanding the challenges and potential solutions for the Rio Las Vacas.

This month brought a wave of positive news for our oceans. We're celebrating significant wins, from the expansion of marine protected areas to exciting sightings of elusive species.

Don't miss these inspiring stories that highlight ongoing efforts and successes in marine conservation.

Male magnificent frigatebirds attract females by expanding their large, bright red throat pouch, much like a balloon. This striking display is central to their courtship ritual.

Learn more about these fascinating seabirds in our Marine Life Encyclopedia: https://oceana.ly/3S8Yzmw

Beyond removing trash from rivers and oceans worldwide, we also conduct vital research. Plastic recovered from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, for instance, exhibits numerous bite marks.

We are currently analyzing this debris to understand how different species interact with various types, colors, and shapes of plastic. This research will clarify the environmental impacts of ocean plastic pollution, its effects on marine inhabitants, and how animals contribute to fragmentation.

Stay tuned for our results!

Once nearly hunted to extinction, humpback whales began their recovery thanks to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). While many populations have rebounded, some still require protection. The ESA has been vital for numerous marine animals.

We're highlighting five marine species safeguarded by this landmark U.S. law. Join us in defending the ESA and these vital species. Support this crucial legislation and learn more at oceana.ly/ESA.

Happy International Day of Biological Diversity!   Our oceans are home to an estimated 2.2 million species, encompassing everything from iconic marine animals to those yet undiscovered.

Every species is vital for maintaining healthy, balanced, and vibrant ocean ecosystems. Protecting this rich biodiversity is essential for safeguarding the future of our blue planet.

We recently announced agreements with Los Angeles county and city leaders to expand our operations to the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers.

Following the success of Interceptor 007 in Ballona Creek, this new project is expected to prevent 410–628 tons of plastic from entering the Pacific Ocean annually. Deployments are planned ahead of the LA28 Olympic Games.

Stay tuned for more progress.

Rivers are primary conduits, carrying plastic waste from land to the sea, where it inevitably impacts marine life. Our research highlights this issue, revealing that 76% of loggerhead turtles in the Indian Ocean have ingested plastic, largely transported via rivers.

To combat this, our 30 Cities Program aims to significantly reduce plastic inflow into the ocean from key urban areas. By 2030, we plan to stop up to one-third of this plastic pollution.

Eleven years ago, over 120,000 gallons of oil spilled onto California’s Refugio Beach, devastating wildlife and coastal communities.

This disaster, like other major U.S. oil spills, proves that drilling inevitably leads to spills, harming our oceans, marine life, and coastal communities.

Oppose the U.S. government’s proposed expansion of offshore drilling. Protect our coasts: https://oceana.ly/ProtectOurCoasts

Orcas are cunning predators, known for their strategic, pack-like hunting formations.

Discover more about these fascinating marine mammals in our Marine Life Encyclopedia: https://oceana.ly/4dPU8W6

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 has protected countless species from extinction for half a century. This landmark law, crucial for safeguarding marine animals, now faces ongoing attacks. It's vital to understand its origins, impact, and how it helps save species like green sea turtles, sea otters, and humpback whales.

We must stand in its defense. Learn more about the ESA and its importance: [Defend the ESA](https://oceana.ly/42vOuSR). You can also get involved by subscribing to Oceana for updates or becoming a Wavemaker to support ocean conservation efforts: [Get Involved](https://oceana.ly/subscribe).

Our mission is to permanently remove waste from the environment, ensuring it never re-enters.

In Honduras, our partner Terrapolyester transforms plastic collected by our Interceptor 021 in El Quetzalito. This recovered material is repurposed into durable household items such as brooms, brushes, and pillows.

Microplastics are pervasive, infiltrating our environment, bodies, and food globally. Their widespread presence is no longer a secret, with public awareness growing almost as fast as the particles themselves.

Given this established ubiquity, it's time for action. Learn more about microplastics and what Oceana is doing to address the plastic crisis: oceana.ly/4eCNZgZ

Thousands of eel traps, a type of ghost gear, were discovered floating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). These funnel-shaped devices continue to "ghost fish," causing entanglement, ingestion, and habitat damage, severely impacting marine life, including endangered species. Discarded fishing gear constitutes the largest component of the GPGP.

Recent research, analyzing over 21,000 pieces of derelict gear, identified large offshore fleets as primary sources, with smaller coastal fisheries contributing less. The study highlighted the extreme durability of this gear, which can persist for years and travel vast ocean distances, underscoring the urgent need for cleanup efforts.

The 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill devastated California's coast, catalyzing the environmental movement. We highlight five of the worst U.S. oil spills, demonstrating that where drilling occurs, spills follow, harming our oceans, marine life, and coastal communities.

Oppose the U.S. government’s proposed expansion of offshore drilling: https://oceana.ly/ProtectOurCoasts

While Interceptors can stop a vast majority of plastic flowing into oceans from rivers, another significant source we must address is lost fishing gear. The scale of this problem is immense; for instance, lost longline nets alone could stretch 750,000 km, equivalent to a round trip to the moon.

To tackle this, we are conducting extensive research to understand its origins. We have also joined the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) to actively shape policies and initiatives aimed at solving this critical environmental issue.

Brown pelicans, once decimated by the feather trade and toxic pesticides, made a remarkable recovery. Following the U.S. ban of DDT and habitat protections under the ESA, their populations rebounded, leading to their full removal from the endangered species list by 2009.

Leading up to Endangered Species Day on May 15, we're highlighting marine animals protected by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Join us in defending this landmark law and species like these: https://oceana.ly/ESA

Indonesia hosts our first river Interceptor, Interceptor 001, in Jakarta’s Cengkareng Drain, alongside Interceptor 020 in the nearby Cisadane River.

Lessons learned from these deployments are now shaping future in-country and global efforts.