Plastics present a huge safety hazard for marine life. Entanglement alone causes the premature death of approximately 100,000 marine animals yearly. Additionally, creatures often ingest microplastics that accumulate in their body and can cause permanent damage to their digestive and reproductive systems. It’s important for ocean ecosystems that we remain cognizant of our plastic consumption and take steps to ensure that our trash is properly disposed of.
Trash in the Ocean
Non biodegradable materials are being thrown into the ocean at astonishing rates. About 8 million tons of plastic and 236,000 tons of microplastics find their way into the ocean annually. Accumulation has caused the formation of "trash islands" like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch which has grown to be twice the size of Texas. This trash is not only unsightly but it has had detrimental effects on ocean animals and their ecosystems.
Over Fishing
Hundreds of Billions of fish are taken from the ocean each year. Fisherman are actually depleting the oceans from the top of the food chain down, as practices like Shark fining kill more than 100 million sharks every year. Humans have already depleted 90% of the oceans predators and if over fishing continues at this rate it is predicted that the oceans will be completely depleted in about 30 years.
Plastic & Animals
Plastics present a huge safety hazard for marine life. Entanglement alone causes the premature death of approximately 100,000 marine animals yearly. Additionally, creatures often ingest microplastics that accumulate in their body and can cause permanent damage to their digestive and reproductive systems. It’s important for ocean ecosystems that we remain cognizant of our plastic consumption and take steps to ensure that our trash is properly disposed of.
Trash in the Ocean
Non biodegradable materials are being thrown into the ocean at astonishing rates. About 8 million tons of plastic and 236,000 tons of microplastics find their way into the ocean annually. Accumulation has caused the formation of "trash islands" like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch which has grown to be twice the size of Texas. This trash is not only unsightly but it has had detrimental effects on ocean animals and their ecosystems.
Over Fishing
Hundreds of Billions of fish are taken from the ocean each year. Fisherman are actually depleting the oceans from the top of the food chain down, as practices like Shark fining kill more than 100 million sharks every year. Humans have already depleted 90% of the oceans predators and if over fishing continues at this rate it is predicted that the oceans will be completely depleted in about 30 years.
You Can Help!
- Be mindful of your plastic consumption and recycle whenever possible (bring your own bags to grocery stores, stop using plastic straws, use resuable water bottles, bring you own cup to coffee shops)
- Pick up garbage near the beach (or any garbage really)
-Minimize your carbon footprint by carpooling or finding alternatives to driving (the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from emissions and as a result is becoming more acidic)
- Eat sustainable sea foods (caught or farmed in a way that considers the populations and well being of the ocean - avoid shark fin soup)
- Ocean conservation is important. Do your best to advocate and spread awareness for the cause!
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