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Cruise Ships in Monterey Bay
Mega cruise ships are scheduled to arrive in Monterey beginning on May 7 and environmentalists are concerned about the impacts on marine life in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The first ship will be Star Princess which is nearly 1000 feet long and carries up to 3,800 passengers and crew. Currently, there is not adequate legislation to prevent the discharging of raw sewage into the ocean as long as it is 3 miles from shore and no restrictions on dumping “gray water” (wastewater from sinks, showers, etc). into the bay.
Local activists and scientists have had a series of meetings with lawmakers and representatives from the cruise lines to discuss these concerns. Princess Cruise Line has assured us that they will not dump sewage during their stay but there are still many additional impacts to consider: the noise from the engines, the dropping of a huge anchor, the propeller, the seeping of bilge water, oily discharge and more.
We have asked that there be a water-monitoring program initiated and legislation drafted along the lines of recent laws passed in Alaska and Florida to insure the greatest protection possible for this fragile marine habitat.
Lead activist: D'Anne Albers (Coastal Chair)
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