4. Introduction
▪ Marine life is a vast resource, providing food, medicine, and
raw materials, in addition to helping to support recreation and
tourism all over the world.
▪ At a fundamental level, marine life helps determine the very
nature of our planet.
▪ Marine organisms contribute significantly to the oxygen cycle,
and are involved in the regulation of the Earth's climate.
▪ It is also becoming understood that the well-being of marine
organisms and other organisms are linked in very fundamental
ways.
11. Statistics on the Effects of Ocean Pollution
▪ 300 Albatross chicks on Midway Island, 1600 km from the
nearest land had plastic in its stomach.
▪ There are over 46,000 pieces of plastic floating in each
square mile of ocean. This plastic contributes to the death
of 100,000 marine mammals and two million sea birds
yearly.
▪ As of mid-June, 2013, the oil spill has contributed to the
death of 658 sea birds, 279 sea turtles, 36 sea mammals,
and countless fish.
▪ 60 percent of a rare species of iguanas on the Galapagos
Islands died after an oil spill off the coast of those islands in
2012.
12. Ocean Pollution Regulations
▪ 1890 River and Harbors Act (discharge of dredged materials)
▪ 1972 Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act
(Ocean Dumping Act)
▪ 1972 Treaty, the Convention on the Prevention of Marine
Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London
Convention)
▪ 1973 The International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
▪ 1988 Ocean Dumping Ban Act
▪ 2000 Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health
Act (BEACH Act)
13. Large Scale Solutions for Ocean Pollution
▪ Stricter government regulations on
industry and manufacturing
▪ Renewable energy sources so off-shore
drilling no longer needed
▪ Limit agricultural pesticides
▪ Proper sewage treatment
▪ Cut down on waste and contain landfills
14. Changes to Make at Home
▪ Carry a reusable shopping bag instead of plastic bags
▪ Store food in reusable containers instead of those you throw away
▪ Avoid products that come with excess packaging
▪ Don't litter
▪ Recycle
▪ Volunteer your time to clean up a beach if you live nearby
▪ Visit the beach, tourism improves coastal communities
▪ Donate to an organization that protects the ocean