GREAT BARRIER REEF SEA CUCUMBERS

 

GREAT BARRIER REEF CORALS

 

NOT TOO LATE TO SAVE THE OCEAN?

DAILY MAIL : IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO SAVE THE OCEANS BY 2050 by Jonathan Chadwick

Excerpt: Although humans have greatly altered sea life to its detriment in the past, the researchers found evidence of the remarkable resilience of marine life.

This include particularly spectacular cases of recovery7, such as the humpback whale, which was brought to the brink of extinction in the 1960's, with just a few hundred surviving in the wild, a result of commercial whaling.

UNDERWATER FORESTS

DUMPS AT SEA CAUSE DEATH OF CORAL, MARINE LIFE and HUMAN CANCERS

DAILY MAIL SCIENCE TECH : SHIPPING DODGE UN EMISSIONS REGULATIONS DUMP AT SEA  an extensive article with pictures = a must SEE!

Excerpts:  Untreated, airborne sulphur fumes can turn into aerosols - which can cause lung and heart conditions - and also can form damaging acid rain.   .... These discharges can contain heavy metals - which are known to damage the central nervous system - and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are believed to be agents of bladder, liver, lung, skin and stomach cancers.

GULF OF MEXICO LITTERED WITH CIGARETTE BUTTS and PLASTIC BOTTLES

MARINE DEBRIS NOAA:  Read all about the program of debris removal and the partners.

EXCERPT: Marine debris in the Gulf of Mexico ranges from large concentrations of litter ( i.e. cigarette butts and plastic bottles) that find their way through the storm drains to the beaches to large 190 foot derelict vessels that disturb marshes and seagrass habitats.  The NOAA Marine Debris Program aims to prevent and reduce marine debris in the Gulf of Mexico thorough education, research, removal, and response to large debris events. ...

SEA OF PLASTIC - WORSE THAN EVER - BENOIT LECOMTE

WASHINGTON POST - SEA OF PLASTIC PACIFIC OCEAN SWIM

BEN LECOMTE has decided to make himself and his swim into a scientific experiment.

EXCERPT: Before French marathon swimmer Benoit Lecomte began his six-month long attempt Tuesday to become the first to swim across the Pacific Ocean, he prepared for a number of possible challenges such as sharks, extremely cold water — and “plastic smog.”

That’s the term scientists use to describe billions of pieces of microplastic in the sea.

On his way from eastern Japan to San Francisco — a distance of 5,600 miles — the 51-year-old swimmer will encounter a lot of those microplastic particles, most of which have broken down from larger plastic items or deliberately included by manufacturers in body wash or toothpaste. In the Pacific, the biggest accumulation of plastic smog is about the size of Germany, France and Britain combined and Lecomte will swim right through it.

RED ALGAE BLOOM TIDE TOXIC TO MARINE LIFE - FLORIDA

NBC SCIENCE on the RED ALGAE BLOOM FLORIDA

"The patchy bloom stretches from the curve of the Panhandle to the central Tampa Bay region. It measures approximately 80 miles long by 50 miles wide. Red tide occurs when naturally occurring algae bloom out of control, producing toxins deadly to fish and other marine life. The chemicals can trigger respiratory distress in people, such as coughing and wheezing."

We often hear about man made chemicals and products polluting the ocean but in this case the algae is a natural living sea plant which can take over an area of the sea and kill marine life.  Last year manatees died from a similar bloom.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP HEAL OUR WATERWAYS

I recently attended a little fair where there was a table set up with information about what happens when it rains, and the rain water rushes down the street, sweeping everything in it's path into storm drains, all of which ends up in the ocean.

THE MESSAGE WAS CLEAR.

MAKING A LITTLE EFFORT CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE AND THE TIME TO START IS NOW!

Throw garbage out in designated cans.  Don't mix plastic and glass bottles in with garden refuse that's organic - the cans go their separate ways.  Throw as much cardboard, foam, and other packaging materials into the recyclables can.  Old electronics and batteries present a special problem.  Just think of all the old computers that have been thrown out!  Televisions, vacuum cleaners, CD's all should be taken to special collections.  Furniture - call for the big item pick up!

REUSE things a few times more -  plastic grocery bags for example.  Or repurpose things.  Old clothing should be delivered to a charity or cut up to make other items.  Socks without partners make good rags.

USE YOUR IMAGINATION and BE INNOVATIVE!

Siren