From Sea to Shining Sea
It’s not very pleasant to think about, but marine animals face human-caused issues on a daily basis. Sea otters may be drowned in gill nets or doused in spilled oil, which destroys their fur’s insulation properties. Orca and polar bears carry high concentrations of pollutants in their bodies. And whales and dolphins are disrupted by the noises produced by commercial shipping endeavors.
Unfortunately, because our favorite sea species tend to be in the water full time, they cannot escape these problems. Although each species faces a unique set of concerns, the good news is that we can still take actions to clean up the oceans and improve their situations.
Here is a sample of some of the more predominant issues facing marine-based animals today:
Plastic Pollution
80 percent of our physical pollution is plastic with an estimated 200 million tons of plastic in our oceans. At least half comes in the form of single-use items such as straws, plastic bags, water bottles, and takeout containers. Plastic debris can injure or kill marine life when they mistake it for food or become entangled in it. The problem is so bad that there are now five plastic accumulation zones, with the largest being in the Pacific Ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, as it is known, is twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France.
Ocean Dead Zones
When excess nutrients from fertilizers, sewage, and stormwater runoff into coastal waters, they stimulate an overgrowth of blue-green algae. When the algae decomposes, it depletes the oxygen in the water. Most marine life cannot survive without oxygen and either they leave the area or die. As a result, coastal waters that had been teeming with life become biological deserts or “dead zones”. No coastal area is immune from this issue and there are now dead zones throughout the world’s oceans.
Commercial Activities
Commercial activities take a toll on marine species in several ways. One is noise pollution caused by our shipping activity, military sonar, and seismic exploration for gas and oil. For animals like whales and dolphins that hunt and communicate using sound, our noise pollution can disorient them, leaving them hungry or unable to locate a mate or worse, predators.
In addition, our ships sometimes strike animals such as whales, often debilitating or killing them in the process. Commercial fishing also takes a toll. We have overfished some areas of the ocean, leaving little food for marine life that is dependent on it. Finally, commercial fishing gear entangles sea creatures, which causes injuries and inhibits movement, so they have trouble hunting, eating, and/or breathing.
Climate Change
Increased temperatures on the planet have a devastating impact on the ocean including rising sea levels, coral bleaching, and ocean acidification. You can read more about that here.
Actions You Can Take
Many of the issues facing our oceans are interrelated. Tackling one can help the others. Here are some easy actions you can take to start making a difference for your favorite marine animals.
Reduce Single-Use Plastics
Taking Action
- Reduce your use of single-use plastics by bringing reusable bags to the store and purchasing a reusable water bottle. When eating out, remember to decline to use straws and bring Tupperware for your leftovers.
- Even better: demand plastic-free alternatives at your favorite stores and restaurants. If more of us ask for it, businesses are more likely to listen.
Solutions to Common Problems
- It can be hard to break old habits. Try placing a reminder for yourself in a visible location. For example, if you want to remember to use reusable bags at the grocery store, try leaving them on the front seat of your car while you become accustomed to grabbing them.
- Sometimes there is only one option available and it’s a single-use plastic. If you’re in that position, be sure to recycle.
- Bonus: You can save money when you avoid plastic bags and purchase a reuseable water bottle.
Beach and River Clean-ups
Taking Action
- If you live near a body of water, you can volunteer for beach or river cleanup duty.
- Even better: leave nothing behind when you go to the beach or river. If you collect and dispose of your own trash, then no one else has to clean up afterwards!
Solutions to Common Problems
- It can be hard to find a beach- or river-cleanup to participate in. Check with your employer or school for suggestions or try googling cleanup options for your closest body of water. If you can’t find an organized venture, you can head there and just start picking up trash on your own. Better yet, grab some friends and make a party of it.
- There’s likely trash closer to home too. If you take regular walks around your neighborhood, consider bringing along a trash bag and gloves or a grabber to pick it up.
- Bonus: It’s nicer to hang out on a beach or river that’s been cleared of trash!
Reduce Your Use of Common Pollutants
Taking Action
- Avoid ocean-harming products by choosing non-toxic household products, including cleaning supplies and pesticides. Also be sure to choose a low-phosphate detergent.
- Avoid using fertilizer. If you must, use as little as possible.
- Even better: make a statement with your pocketbook by buying only fruits and veggies that are grown without pesticides.
Solutions to Common Problems
- Knowing which products are better than others can be challenging. Before you replace the cleaners you’re currently using, check the ingredient list. If it includes sodium hydroxide, PFAs, nonylphenol, or phosphates, try something new instead.
- Some better-known safe products include Blueland, Method, Mrs. Meyer’s, and Seventh Generation. You can also look for product labels like “PFAs-free”.
- Bonus: Your house will be cleaner and safer for your efforts.
Donate
Taking Action
- We can help our favorite species by supporting organizations working to clean-up and protect the ocean.
- Even better: let others know you donated to encourage them to consider making additional contributions to further support your cause.
Solutions to Common Problems
- There are lots of great organizations working to clean the ocean. If you’re not sure which organizations match your goals, give our donation search a whirl for suggestions. You can search by species or by the goal of habitat restoration.
- Bonus: You can save money on your taxes if you itemize deductions.