Our oceans are dying!

 

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING!

Trash in the ocean is a huge and growing concern in the ocean community and worldwide. As populations increase, so does the amount of trash and pollutants that are entering our oceans. Not only is the volume of trash increasing, but the type of trash that is being discarded is becoming more dangerous and toxic. From plastics to chemical pollutants, the effects of this ocean debris are becoming more and more obvious, making it a priority for people to work towards reducing and cleaning up this pollution.

Plastics are among the most common form of ocean debris and are the most detrimental. They take 400 years to biodegrade, which means we will be dealing with the plastic that enters our oceans for years to come. There are a few types of plastic pollution that make up most of the plastics found in the ocean. Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that are 5 millimeters or less in size often found in a variety of products like facial scrubs, surface cleaners, and clothing. Marine animals often mistake these pieces of plastic for food, leading to digestion problems and even death. Fishing line, nets, and buoys are given the umbrella term of “ghost fishing gear” and are often used by commercial fishers and are left behind in the ocean. Ghost fishing gear will continue to fish, even after the fisherman has gone. It will snag fish, turtles, and anything else that it encounters and often chokes or entangles the animal, resulting in suffocation.  lastly let's take care of our seas and beaches for a brighter future.

Take care!