Plastics pollution in the world’s waterways is a huge problem. The Yamaha Marine Group (YMG) took a big step towards being a part of the solution when the Kennesaw, GA-headquartered company launched its new Marine Plastics Initiative this summer. On one hand, the program serves to support the Save Our Seas Act. The Act, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on July 25, 2018, aims to strengthen research and international coordination of anti-debris efforts to protect America’s oceans, coastlines, and inland waterways. On the other, the YMG plans to do much more.
“The Yamaha Marine Plastics Initiative is three-fold and ongoing,” explains Martin Peters, the YMG’s senior manager of government relations. First, there is advocacy. This includes adding the collective weight of our 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders to encourage the removal of plastics from our waters and ask elected officials to alert us to further bipartisan legislative action for which
we can support. Second, is to raise awareness on how to solve the plastics problem. Third, is cleaning up and instigating clean ups. For example, we are undertaking a pilot project here in Georgia, where installed devices will pick plastics out of the municipal water system before it reaches the ocean.” yamahaoutboards.com
In the meantime, the Save Our Seas Act now awaits action in the Senate. Yamaha encourages boaters and anglers to continue to send prewritten letters of support to their legislators through BassforSalt.com.
