I interviewed my roommate, Erica Diodati about the subject of keeping Boston Harbor clean. Erica is a 21 year old Nursing Major at Salem State. I talked with her about how Boston Harbor is polluted with all types of debris from plastic bottles, paper and styrofoam cups, plastic wrappers, and cigarette butts. The Boston Harbor Association is working to fix the issue.I asked Erica, "Is this a problem you think is important?" She answered, "I definitely think this is an important problem. With things such as the 'Go Green Movement', I think it's important that we all address pollution and do our part to keep the land and oceans a clean and healthy environment for all." I asked her if in our own community this is an important issue. She responded, "Yes. In Boston, we are known for our "dirty water". We should clean it up!"
I informed Erica about the Boston Harbor Association and how it works to clean up the Harbor and remove debris. They distribute a "Boater's Guide" which provides a list of pump-out facilities for boaters to use in complying with staying away from designated "No Discharge Areas" of Boston Harbor. Erica believed there are many advantages to this policy and had no opinion on it's disadvantages, other than suggesting it could be updated. There is so much information about the topic of the Boston Harbor clean up at The Boston Harbor Association's website.
Lauren's interview:
I interviewed my father, Mark Helinski, to find out what he knows about the Boston Harbor and local ocean pollution and to see where he stands on the issue. He believes that this problem is very important and everyone should become aware of it if they aren't already. The community thinks this is a problem because they are in the process of helping make it better. He then continued to explain the Deer Island policy to me and how it is a major step in the process of cleaning up all the oceans. The government understands the importance of cleaning the Boston Harbor and other oceans so they have responded by setting up Deer Island which has already showed signs of improvement. It has already helped clean and reopen local oceans such as Wollaston Beach in Quincy and Carson Beach in South Boston. The only disadvantage to this policy is the expense, which has already cost millions of tax payers dollars. The policy is working well and is helping shape the pollution problem we are experiencing. Below is a picture of Wollaston Beach.
Colleens Interview!
I interviewed one of my good friends from high school Jon Luongo. He was a marine biology major at Hawaii Pacific a few years ago and has a lot of interest with our waters, marine life and oceans. I introduced him to the topic of the Boston harbor being pollutied and how we are working on a blog to help find ways to clean up our waters. I showed him the Boston Habor Association website and told him I had a few questions to ask him.
"Is this a problem you think is important? Why or Why not?"
Yes this is a problem I think is important. Pollution in our waters does not just effect the obvious sea life but it also threatans peoples jobs and touring. Fisherman local to Boston will no longer be able to meet their quotas because the water is so polluted. Tourists will no longer want to visit because of the pollution and our economy has the potential to plummet.
"Do you think others in our community think this is an important problem? Why/Why not?"
I do not think that everybody feels the same. Some people believe that our enviornment is something to be cherished and some people dont care. I think there has to be more done so that more people are aware of the problem.
"What are the advantages and disadvantages of this policy"
The advantages of this policy are healthier ecosystems overall for Boston and the surrounding areas. The less poullution there is the more attractive Boston will be for tourists. Hoever because this organization will require a little bit more effort/less space for the fish and more rules to follow it will make it a bit hard for fisheries and restaurants to acquire to certain seafoods which would mean another raise in seafood will happen.
"How much the policy be improved?"
I think that this organization is pretty straight forward, other than maybe trying to figure out how to incorporate less rules and more space for fishing so there is no increase in the price of seafood, I think this policy is spot on.
"Does this policy need to be replaced? Why?"
No I do not think that the policy needs to be replaced.
"What disagreements, if any, about the policy exist in the community?"
Many people in Boston do not seem to care about the enviornment and pollution. There are large businesses running out of dumping places so they think it is okay to dump in the harbore. I think these businesses are probably the only people who may fight against this policy.
"Where can I get more information about this problem and the different positions people take on this problem?"
There are several organization all around the world. You can find any on the internet to research and better benefit our community
