Clean up our waters

• Feb. 27 by Kirsty Booth (1)

Marine wildlife is suffering at the hands of humans who are not disposing of their garbage responsibly. Thanks to developing science, the innocent animals that are continually mistaking cigarette butts and detergent bottles for their dinner are at less risk of dying at the hands of careless humans who are littering oceans, lakes and rivers.

Marine pollution is now one of the biggest environmental issues in the world, encouraging more conservation projects and scientific progression. The EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency) Open Survey Vessel team have designed specialised “bongo nets” to collect debris from the water, leaving them to fish for the rubbish for up to thirty minute each time. The nets are pulled along the surface of the water where most of the day to day rubbish such as plastic bags and drink cans collect. Scientists are able to use their findings, which can include dead animals to identify the severity and priorities of the problem, helping to develop conservation further.

Marine debris is not only a threat to the animals that inhabit these waters; but it is also putting navigational safeties systems at great risk, as well as humans who are in danger if they enter the polluted waters.

Birmingham’s daytime attraction, the Sea Life Centre, is a keen financial supporter of the Marine Conservation Society, an organisation that campaigns for pollution-free seas and protection for endangered marine creatures. The aquarium is also actively encouraging its customers to communicate the needs of marine conservation to their local MPs, so that change will be bought to this country.

The US have already made radical changes, prompted by President Bush signing into the law, Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act, in 2006, allowing the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) a budget of 10 million pounds to aid their research and prevention of this major environmental issue. The NOAA aims not only to conserve marine life but to educate people on the impact of the debris and how people can help solve this problem. If those who are ultimately causing this problem remain ignorant and uneducated about the effect their actions are having, the problem is likely to get worse.

It paints a distressing picture of reality when our convenience is more important to the everyday civilian than the lives of innocent, distressed and confused marine life. Thank goodness for modern science, may it go from strength to strength.