The Nation - News from Feb. 10, 1987

President Reagan asked the Senate to broaden a 15-year-old treaty on pollution from ships on the high seas. The Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships, signed by the United States in late 1983, would extend existing prohibitions on ocean dumping to cover synthetic ropes, nets, garbage bags and other plastics. In a letter of transmittal, the State Department said such dumping is endangering a variety of marine life. Once ratified by the United States, the agreement becomes effective when 15 countries representing at least 50% of the world’s merchant shipping become parties to the pact.