Ocean Plastic Pollution

Plastics and the Ocean

Plastic Pollution Affects Sea Life Throughout the Ocean

An article by Simon Reddy, Director, International Environment, the Pew Charitable Trusts in 2018 reports that 13 million metric tons of plastic end up floating in the ocean each year accounting for about 80% of marine debris. Read his article by clicking here

A sea turtle found in the Pacific Ocean had this debris in its stomach, according to The Ocean Cleanup, a foundation.
The Ocean Cleanup Foundation

NOAA A Guide to Plastic in the Ocean

“Plastics are the most common form of marine debris. They can come from a variety of land and ocean-based sources; enter the water in many ways; and impact the ocean and Great Lakes. Once in the water, plastic debris never fully biodegrades. Yellow text in the above graphic shows sources of plastic that eventually end up in the ocean. Orange text shows ways that these plastics move into the ocean. Red text provides examples of the harmful impacts of this debris. | Infographic Text ” (Courtesy NOAA)

NOAA Marine Debris Program

Debris along the eastern shoreline of Eastern Island. This photo is a before shot from the 2016 marine debris removal mission. (Photo Credit: NOAA PIFSC Coral Reef Ecosystem Program).

Click here to read the factsheet

The World’s Plastic Pollution Crisis

“Much of the planet is swimming in discarded plastic, which is harming animal and possibly human health. Can it be cleaned up?” BY LAURA PARKER pub. JUNE 7, 2019. Read her article in the National Geographic magazine by clicking here (views limited)

Link: Ocean Plastics Pollution

A Global Tragedy for Our Oceans and Sea Life

Photo courtesy Center for Biological Diversity

“Plastic accumulating in our oceans and on our beaches has become a global crisis. Billions of pounds of plastic can be found in swirling convergences that make up about 40 percent of the world’s ocean surfaces. At current rates plastic is expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050.” Read the story on the Biological Diversity web site

The Problem of Marine Plastic Pollution

Clean Water Action was founded in 1972 after the passage of the Clean Water Act. This is a broad based collation of citizens concerned about all aspects of clean drinking water. The Marine Plastic Pollution issue is one of many initiatives by the group. Click here to visit their website

Ocean Conservancy

The Problem with Plastics

It is amazing to realize that 8 million metric tons of plastic goes into the world’s ocean in a single year – and this figure is a 10-yr-old estimate!

Learn more about the Problem with Plastics

Image courtesy of the non-profit Ocean Conservancy