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Letters to the editor
Cruise ships no small part of cleanup efforts
John Well's
recent guest editorial merits a response. He says, "Well-intentioned
environmental activists, including Reef Relief, do a disservice to the
water quality effort by diverting attention to a scapegoat du jour like
cruise ships rather than to the real perpetrators of environmental
damage."
Reef Relief
has, since 1990, led the effort to identify the causes of reef decline
through Craig Quirolo's ongoing survey of the reef. We've documented
diseases, bleaching, algae blooms and storm damage. We collaborate with
scientists to determine the causes of the problems we have documented.
We've studied aspergillosis that is destroying purple sea fans, a fungus
previously found only in top-soil environments. We were the first to
identify white pox disease, which has been identified as caused by a
common bacteria in plant and animal waste.
A growing body
of scientific knowledge recognizes that our oceans and our local waters
in particular are loaded with pollutants, viruses, and nutrients; if we
don't improve water quality, you can kiss our endangered coral reefs
goodbye, and with that, our economy and quality of life.
Based on this
knowledge, our Clean Water Now campaign supports Advanced Wastewater
Treatment throughout the Keys. Key West now has AWT and no longer uses
an ocean outfall. Reef Relief initiated the No Discharge Zones for
boater sewage and is part of a multiagency effort to implement it in all
Keys state waters.
Reef Relief
was an early critic of the Everglades restoration plan because we
identified the dirty runoff as deadly for our downstream coral reefs: We
delivered thousands of petitions to Everglades planners and
policy-makers asking that nitrogen as well as phosphorus pollution be
removed from the runoff before it reaches Florida Bay and our reefs. Our
politicians are beginning to get it, despite the considerable political
clout of the sugar industry.
It is
reasonable and doable to require cruise ships visiting Key West to honor
our No Discharge Zone for boater sewage. We have the capacity at the
sewer plant, according to city Utilities Director David Fernandez. Gray
water is not included, so the ships can close their through-hull fitting
from their last port of call and contain their waste onboard.
Many cruise
ships are already installing Advanced Wastewater Treatment, in which
case they can be exempt from pumping out, providing they document
reaching the 5:5:3:1 standard of our plant. This initiative will require
engineering, planning, legal work, and a lead time to implement it in a
reasonable fashion. We will continue to cooperate and involve the cruise
ships in the planning effort.
After all, we
all benefit from cleaner ocean waters, and the cruise ships will benefit
from the improved public image that they are willing to do their part.
This can be a big win-win for all involved.
To say that we
are picking a politically expedient target is off the mark. This effort
will reduce the intentional discharge of wastewater just a few miles off
the endangered coral reefs of the Florida Keys.
Oceanographic
studies show that local lobster larval patterns are affected by the Gulf
Stream and the countercurrents -- where a single cruise ship discharges
an average of 30,000 gallons of waste per day. This is just one of
several sources of pollution, but one that can be eliminated, and not an
insignificant amount, if you consider how many ships come to Key West.
Gyres and
eddies bring Gulf Stream waters into nearshore waters in the Upper Keys
and the countercurrent bathes the Lower Keys with this water. Mr. Wells,
you have the scientific background I provided at the Propeller Club
luncheon. Reef Relief will gladly provide it to anyone else interested.
Kudos to the
mayor and city commissioners for their leadership on this issue. Key
West will once again lead the effort for clean water.
DeeVon
Quirolo
Executive
director, Reef Relief |
