…The fact that there is rarely one magic fix, is something that we, as sailors, end up learning quickly if it is not already embraced. More often, problems are fixed by making a number of improvements in a variety of categories. Overpowered but still need to sail upwind? Drop the traveller, shorten sails, flatten sails, change sails, move weight…we usually employ at least a few of those strategies. As far as marine debris goes, multiple solutions will be the most effective and cost efficient way to get ahead.

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…Sailors know an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We put this into practice as we prepare for voyages that last an afternoon or a month. We check the rigging. We make sure there are wooden plugs near the through-hulls. We update our flares and refill the first aid kit, just in case. We warn our crew when a new sailing maneuver is about to occur, calling “ready about!” to allow preparations to occur. As sailors and women, we need to prepare for the biggest challenge our boats and crews will face – climate change. We need to invite everyone to this table if we are to continue to eat at all.

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…NOAA chose to focus specifically on right whales because it is thought there are no more than 400 remaining in the world. The environmental pressure on right whales is enormous. Scientist Jean Higgins, acoustics expert Dr. Danielle Cholewiak, and Allison Ferreira, Communications Lead for the Greater Atlantic Fisheries Office, generously gave me the lowdown on the recently launched program.

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