RUBBISH
According to the United Nations, at least 800 species are affected by marine debris and around 80% of that debris is thought to be plastic. An estimated 13,000,000 metric tons of plastic find their way into our oceans every year this is about the same as one rubbish truck load being dumped into the ocean every minute. Most plastics can take centuries to decompose but some break down into microplastics quickly, these microplastics end up in the seafood we eat, the plastic cycle goes full circle so not only does it affect the fish it affects us also. Making more sustainable choices on the products we buy and how we dispose of them can go a long way in protecting marine life and our oceans.
SUNSCREEN
We all know wearing sunscreen is a really important part of life in protecting our skin when in sunny climates but most people don’t know how harmful sunscreen can be for our oceans especially coral reefs. Coral reefs are one of the most important ecosystems in our oceans they are home to over a quarter of all known marine species. The harmful chemicals we can find in most sunscreen are; oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene. When picking sunscreen consumers should check for the ‘reef safe’ label.
OVERFISHING
Regarded to some as the biggest threat our oceans face, overfishing is when commercial fishing is so intense the breeding cycle of marine life is brought to a standstill. Overfishing has become so dominant because of the increase in money made from the billions of people who rely on fish as a source of protein. If people make a more judged approach to what seafood they purchase from the shops like line-caught and sustainable sources this can help fight back against all the harm the giant fishing corporations are causing. There needs to be an emphasis on better catch management systems from most commercial fisheries.
GLOBAL WARMING
Our oceans are seriously threatened by global warming and this could have a grave effect on the human population, it’s estimated that by 2030 sea surface temperatures will rise by 0.6-0.9ºC in the southern Tasman Sea just off the northwest shelf of western Australia and 0.3-0.6ºC elsewhere. With this drastic rise in temperatures, our oceans face increased acidification and this will have a detrimental effect on marine life. Being more conscious of how we commit to changes in our life to lower our carbon footprint is so important, from driving less, picking renewable energy sources for our homes, and purchasing goods from companies that offset their carbon footprint can all go a long way in combating global warming.