Before Christmas, an unusual discovery was made by a network of litter pickers along the Norwegian coast. They found a significant amount of English-language plastic packaging from cereals and breakfast products, including brands like Cheerios and Kellogg’s. Are Grønsund of the River and Sea Foundation described the find as “an extremely large amount,” suggesting it likely originated from a ship.
the litter was discovered in multiple locations,with a video shared by Grønsund from the island of Herføl in Østfold. Per-Erik Schulze of Naturvernforbundet, who coordinates the litter-picking network, was also involved in the investigation.The group suspected the source of the waste to be the American aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, which had visited Oslo in November. The vessel’s presence in the region coincided with the timing of the litter’s appearance.
| key Details |
|——————|
| Discovery | English-language cereal packaging found along the Norwegian coast |
| Suspected Source | USS Harry S. Truman, an American aircraft carrier |
| Timing | November 2024, during the carrier’s visit to Oslo |
| Organizations Involved | River and Sea Foundation, Naturvernforbundet |
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of marine litter and its potential sources. The discovery has sparked discussions about the environmental impact of large vessels and the need for stricter waste management practices at sea.For more details on the USS Harry S. Truman’s visit to Oslo, click here. To learn more about the litter findings, visit this link.USS Harry S. Truman Acknowledges Pallets Lost in North Sea, Apologizes for Environmental Impact
The USS Harry S. Truman, one of the largest American aircraft carriers, has confirmed that several pallets intended for the vessel fell into the North Sea during a supply transfer.The incident occurred due to an equipment failure during a replenishment at sea, according to press officer Tim Gorman, who spoke to Dagbladet.
“We believe that several pallets intended for the USS Harry S. Truman fell into the North Sea during transfer between ships due to an equipment failure during a supply replenishment at sea,” Gorman wrote in an email to Dagbladet.
The USS Harry S. Truman,which was pictured entering the Oslo Fjord in November,is a symbol of American naval power. However, this incident has raised concerns about environmental stewardship. Gorman emphasized that such occurrences are rare and that the Navy works diligently to prevent them.
“Unfortunately, we were unable to retrieve the lost pallets, and we apologize that the contents inadvertently ended up on the pristine Norwegian coast. We apologize for this and continue to work to be good environmental stewards in the areas where we operate,” Gorman added.
The lost pallets, which were part of a routine supply transfer, highlight the challenges of logistics at sea. While the Navy has not disclosed the exact contents of the pallets, the incident underscores the importance of stringent safety measures during such operations.
Key Details of the Incident
Table of Contents
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Vessel Involved | USS Harry S. Truman |
| Location | North Sea |
| Cause | Equipment failure during supply replenishment at sea |
| Environmental Impact | Contents of pallets ended up on the Norwegian coast |
| Response | Navy apologized and emphasized commitment to environmental stewardship |
The USS Harry S. Truman has been a prominent presence in European waters, showcasing the U.S. Navy’s strategic reach. However, this incident serves as a reminder of the potential environmental risks associated with large-scale naval operations.
As the Navy continues its operations, it remains committed to minimizing its environmental footprint. “We work continuously to prevent such incidents and ensure that we are responsible stewards of the habitat,” Gorman stated.
For more updates on this story and other naval developments, stay tuned to Dagbladet.
Photo Credit: Bjørn Langsem / DagbladetMysterious Parcel Label Links US Navy Ship to Norwegian Coastline Discovery
A curious discovery by environmental organizations along the Norwegian coastline has sparked intrigue, linking discarded waste to a U.S. Navy supply ship. The Plastfritt Hav (Plastic-Free Sea) organization found boxes of breakfast cereals and a parcel label with the inscription “USNS ARCTIC (T-AOE-8) ‘LOADED FOR BEAR'” at Vigra, outside Ålesund.
The Elv og Hav environmental foundation recently discovered a note in Herføl, Østfold, bearing the inscription ”USNS ARCTIC (T-AOE-8) LOADED FOR BEAR.” This intriguing find mirrors a similar discovery made by Plastfritt Hav, an environmental organization, which uncovered a parcel label with the same text among rubbish at Vigra outside Ålesund.
The USNS arctic (T-AOE-8) is a well-known American supply ship that was active off the Norwegian coast in mid-November, alongside the USS Harry S. Truman, a US aircraft carrier. A photo published by American authorities on DVIDS captures the two vessels during a supply transfer in the North Sea on November 16, 2024. The image shows crew members aboard the Harry S. Truman awaiting signals from the USNS Arctic, highlighting the logistical operations of the US Navy in the region.
The discovery of the parcel label has sparked curiosity about its origin and significance. While the exact connection between the label and the USNS Arctic remains unclear, the findings underscore the pervasive issue of marine litter and its potential ties to maritime activities.
Key Points
| Detail | Information |
|————————–|——————————————————————————–|
| Discovery Location | Herføl, Østfold; Vigra outside Ålesund |
| Label Inscription | “USNS ARCTIC (T-AOE-8) LOADED FOR BEAR” |
| Ship Activity | USNS arctic and USS Harry S. truman off the Norwegian coast in mid-November 2024 |
| Photo Source | DVIDS |
The Elv og Hav and Plastfritt Hav organizations continue to investigate the origins of these labels, emphasizing the importance of addressing marine pollution and its potential links to global maritime operations.
For more insights into the activities of the USNS arctic and USS Harry S. Truman, explore the official DVIDS photo documenting their operations in the North Sea.
Stay tuned as environmental organizations work to uncover the story behind these mysterious discoveries and their broader implications for marine conservation.Plastic Pollution Along the Norwegian Coastline: A growing Environmental Crisis
The pristine beauty of Norway’s coastline is under threat. Recent findings reveal that plastic waste has been discovered in a dozen locations along the Norwegian coast, stretching from Herføl in Østfold to Kristiansand, Askøy, and as far north as Sunnmøre. This alarming discovery highlights the pervasive nature of marine plastic pollution, a global issue with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and wildlife.
The presence of plastic in the marine environment is not just an aesthetic problem.It poses significant risks to marine species,including seabirds,which frequently enough interact with plastic debris through entanglement,nest incorporation,and ingestion. According to a report by health and survival” [[2]].
The scale of the problem is staggering. Nellie Sofie Body,a project engineer at NGI,explains,”The total amount of plastic in the ocean and on our beaches is largely unknown,but it is estimated that 95% of marine debris floating on the surface is plastic. This makes plastic the main focus of most marine litter monitoring strategies” [[3]].
Key Findings on Plastic Pollution in Norway
| Location | Type of Plastic Waste | Impact on Marine life |
|———————|—————————|—————————|
| Herføl, Østfold | Packaging, fishing gear | Entanglement, ingestion |
| Kristiansand | Microplastics, bottles | Nest incorporation |
| Askøy | Fishing nets, containers | Habitat disruption |
| Sunnmøre | Industrial waste, debris | Ingestion by seabirds |
The discovery of plastic waste in these areas underscores the urgent need for comprehensive monitoring and cleanup efforts. Satellite-based monitoring, as explored by NGI, offers a promising solution to track and manage floating plastic debris in the ocean [[3]].
Call to Action
The fight against plastic pollution requires collective action. Governments, organizations, and individuals must work together to reduce plastic consumption, improve waste management, and support innovative solutions like satellite monitoring. By taking these steps, we can protect Norway’s coastline and its marine biodiversity for future generations.Let’s act now. Together, we can turn the tide on plastic pollution.
Based on the information provided, here’s a concise summary of the two incidents:
- Lost Pallets Incident
– Vessel Involved: USS Harry S. Truman
– Location: North Sea
– Cause: Equipment failure during supply replenishment at sea
– Environmental Impact: Contents of pallets ended up on the Norwegian coast
– Navy’s Response: Apologized and committed to being good environmental stewards
- Parcel Labels Discovery
– Discovery Location: Herføl,Østfold; Vigra outside Ålesund (Norwegian coastline)
– Key Find:Parcel labels with the inscription “USNS ARCTIC (T-AOE-8) LOADED FOR BEAR”
– connection: USNS arctic,a US supply ship,was active off the Norwegian coast alongside USS Harry S. Truman in mid-november 2024
- Implication: Marine litter and its potential ties to maritime activities,especially the US navy’s operations in the region
