Meghan Hodges
Our oceans are under threat from human-caused pollution, including plastic pollution, ocean noise, vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. These issues are threatening the lives of marine animals and causing direct harm to the ocean. There are many ways to help protect the ocean from pollution, from supporting organisations dedicated to cleaning up our oceans and coastlines to making small changes in your daily life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reduce plastic production and waste | Avoid products containing microbeads, shop plastic-consciously, opt for reusable products over single-use, recycle properly |
| Use eco-friendly products | Reusable bags, water bottles, and containers, natural cleaning products |
| Take shorter showers | Reducing showering time by one minute can save 1.8 gallons (8 litres) per shower |
| Use a rain barrel to collect water for your garden | Water can be used for watering plants, drinking and washing |
| Clean up after yourself when visiting beaches and natural spaces | Prevent littering, which can introduce invasive species to ecosystems |
| Research the region's local seafood and fishing practices | Ask questions in person and look for sustainable seafood certifications in restaurants |
| Support organisations undertaking large-scale projects | The Ocean Cleanup and Surfers Against Sewage |
What You'll Learn
Reduce plastic production and waste
Reducing plastic production and waste is one of the most important ways to stop sea pollution. As individuals, we can make a difference by making conscious choices about the products we buy and how we dispose of them.
One way to reduce plastic waste is to avoid products containing microbeads. Microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic found in some cosmetics and personal care products, such as face scrubs and toothpaste. These microbeads can end up in our oceans, where they are ingested by marine life, causing harm to their health. Instead, opt for natural alternatives, such as ground coffee or oatmeal, which provide the same exfoliating benefits without the environmental impact.
Another way to reduce plastic waste is to shop plastic-consciously. This means choosing reusable products over single-use plastic items whenever possible. For example, instead of buying bottled water, invest in a reusable stainless steel water bottle that you can refill. Similarly, opt for cloth bags instead of plastic bags, and choose containers made from glass or stainless steel instead of plastic. By making these simple swaps, we can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans.
Proper recycling is also crucial in reducing plastic waste. Ensure that you are familiar with your local recycling guidelines and sort your waste accordingly. Many communities now offer recycling programs for plastic bags and other soft plastics, so check if this is available in your area. Additionally, consider participating in beach and river cleanups, which directly remove plastic waste from the ocean and raise awareness about the issue.
Finally, we can reduce plastic waste by supporting sustainable seafood practices. Unsustainable fishing practices, such as bottom trawling and the use of certain types of fishing gear, can harm marine ecosystems and contribute to ocean pollution. By choosing sustainably caught seafood, we can support responsible fishing practices that minimise their impact on the environment. We can also research local seafood and fishing practices before travelling to make informed, sustainable food choices.
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Use eco-friendly products
Using eco-friendly products is one of the most effective ways to reduce ocean pollution. Opting for reusable products over single-use items is a great way to start. For example, you could use cloth bags, stainless steel water bottles, and containers. These products are not only environmentally friendly, but they can also be more cost-effective in the long run.
Another way to use eco-friendly products is to choose natural cleaning products. Many traditional cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that can damage marine life and produce dangerous algal blooms. Eco-friendly cleaning products, on the other hand, are made from natural and biodegradable ingredients that are safe for the ocean and the environment.
You can also reduce ocean pollution by buying sustainable seafood. Unsustainable fishing practices harm marine ecosystems and contribute to ocean pollution. Look for sustainably caught options that support responsible fishing practices. Before travelling, research the region's local seafood and fishing practices to help you make sustainable food choices. Ask questions in person and look for sustainable seafood certifications in restaurants.
In addition to using eco-friendly products, there are other ways to protect the ocean from pollution. For example, you can reduce runoff and conserve water by taking shorter showers and using a rain barrel to collect water for your garden. You can also support organisations undertaking large-scale projects, like The Ocean Cleanup and Surfers Against Sewage.
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Reduce contaminated water
Contaminated water is one of the biggest sources of ocean pollution, with around 80% of ocean pollution coming from the land. Here are some ways to reduce contaminated water and protect the ocean:
Reduce runoff
Runoff is a major source of ocean pollution, carrying harmful chemicals and other contaminants from the land into the sea. To reduce runoff, you can:
- Take shorter showers. Reducing showering time by just one minute can save 1.8 gallons (8 litres) per shower.
- Use a rain barrel to collect water for your garden. This water can be used for watering plants or, after purification, even drinking and washing.
Use eco-friendly products
Traditional cleaning products often contain harmful chemicals that can end up in the ocean and damage marine life. Opt for natural, biodegradable cleaning products instead. You can also reduce your use of single-use plastics by choosing reusable options, such as cloth bags, stainless steel water bottles and containers.
Support sustainable fishing practices
Unsustainable fishing practices can harm marine ecosystems and contribute to ocean pollution. When buying seafood, research the region's local fishing practices and choose sustainably caught options that support responsible fishing. You can also support organisations working to protect the ocean, such as The Ocean Cleanup and Surfers Against Sewage.
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Support government initiatives
On an individual level, you can reduce your contribution to ocean pollution by using eco-friendly products, such as reusable bags, water bottles, and containers made from sustainable materials like cloth and stainless steel. Opt for natural cleaning products that are biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals. Reduce your plastic consumption by avoiding products containing microbeads and choosing reusable options over single-use plastics. Properly recycle your waste and support sustainable fishing practices by researching and choosing sustainably caught seafood options.
Additionally, conserve water by taking shorter showers and using a rain barrel to collect water for your garden or other household needs. By reducing the amount of contaminated water that ends up in our oceans, we can help protect marine life and prevent dangerous algal blooms caused by harmful chemicals.
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Choose sustainable seafood
Choosing sustainable seafood is an important way to protect the ocean from pollution. Unsustainable fishing practices harm marine ecosystems and contribute to ocean pollution. When fishing is not carried out responsibly, it can deplete fish stocks and damage the marine environment.
To choose sustainable seafood, you can research local seafood and fishing practices before travelling. Ask questions in person and look for sustainable seafood certifications in restaurants. You can also opt for sustainably caught options that support responsible fishing practices.
It is also important to reduce your overall seafood consumption. This will help to reduce the demand for unsustainable fishing practices. You can also choose to eat lower on the food chain by opting for smaller fish, such as sardines and anchovies, which are lower in the marine food chain and have a lower environmental impact.
Finally, you can support organisations that are working to protect the ocean and promote sustainable seafood practices. These organisations often have resources and information to help you make informed choices about the seafood you eat.
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Frequently asked questions
You can protect the ocean from pollution by using eco-friendly products, such as reusable bags, water bottles and containers, and natural cleaning products. You can also buy sustainable seafood, reduce your water usage, and use fuel-efficient vehicles.
You can also reduce plastic production and waste by avoiding products containing microbeads, shopping plastic-consciously, and recycling properly.
Try to opt for reusable products over single-use ones wherever possible. For example, you could use a stainless steel water bottle instead of buying plastic bottles of water.
Contaminated water can carry harmful chemicals that kill marine life and produce dangerous algal blooms. With approximately 80% of the ocean's pollution coming from land, steps need to be taken to reduce the amount of contaminated water that ends up in the ocean.
Governments can play a role in protecting the ocean by implementing and enforcing regulations on ocean dumping and providing technical support to agencies addressing marine pollution issues. For example, the EPA's Ocean Dumping Management Program works to regulate ocean dumping and safeguard human health and the environment.
