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4 

 In addition, EPA works with USCG to share information on possible 

 violations of APPS. Recently in the Pacific Northwest, EPA and the USCG jointly 

 participated in a criminal Investigation of Illegal plastics disposal by a fish 

 processing vessel which resulted in a guilty plea to a felony violation of APPS with 

 a $160,000 fine. Also, Princess Cruises agreed to a record 8500,000 fine for 

 dumping some 20 plastic bags of garbage Into the open sea off the Florida coast. 



Qthar activities related to vassals : Although we will continue our efforts to 

 improve enforcement-related coordination with the USCG, I must also point out 

 that the control of marine debris from vessels requires more than just the deterrent 

 crested by an effective enforcement regime. To this end, EPA is participating in 

 and working with other Federal agencies to sponsor a National Academy of 

 Science. Marine Board study of MARPOL Annex V. The study will focus on 

 shipboard and shore side waste handling procedures. As one aspect of the study, 

 EPA has asked the Marine Board to specifically determine what the most effective 

 and environmentally acceptable means of shipboard waste handling is, and conduct 

 workshops to address specific technical issues. The results from this study would 

 not only be useful for retrofitting operational vessels to achieve MARPOL Annex V 

 compliance but also to help the shipbuilding industry design and build more 

 environmentally friendly vessels in the future. 



