10-22-2010
Death by Plastic
Green October, a month-long campaign to increase awareness of waste among FXFOWLE staff, kicked–off early this month with a special lecture by Dr. Caleb McClennen, Director of Marine Conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Dr. McClennen shed light on the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch," a high concentration of debris, estimated to be twice the size of Texas, floating at the center of the North Pacific Ocean. The term "patch" is misleading, since the debris consists mostly of small pieces of plastic not readily visible by the human eye or satellite technology. However, Dr. McClennen has seen the occasional floating refrigerator while at sea. Small bits of partially degraded plastics, discarded fishing line, and organic material congregate in convergence zones away from the coastline, pushed together by the ocean's fluid dynamics.
Diagram of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Although the Marpol 73/78 prohibits international marine dumping from ships, garbage continues to find its way into oceans, killing marine life that either ingest the plastics or become entangled in it. Several organizations sponsor clean-up efforts, but many initiatives remain uncoordinated and are mostly symbolic. That's why prevention of plastic waste is the first step in protecting our oceans.
An albatross chick confused plastic garbage for food
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) works to safeguard seascapes that are the home of ocean giants, coral reefs, and great colonies of seabirds. The WCS's efforts focus on land-based pollution and runoff, as well as on maintaining coastal livelihoods, the effects of overfishing, and climate change on coral reefs. An interdisciplinary conservationist, Dr. McClennen oversees the WCS's marine conservation efforts in 13 focus areas worldwide, from Belize to Indonesia.
by James Way
Dr. McClennen shed light on the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch," a high concentration of debris, estimated to be twice the size of Texas, floating at the center of the North Pacific Ocean. The term "patch" is misleading, since the debris consists mostly of small pieces of plastic not readily visible by the human eye or satellite technology. However, Dr. McClennen has seen the occasional floating refrigerator while at sea. Small bits of partially degraded plastics, discarded fishing line, and organic material congregate in convergence zones away from the coastline, pushed together by the ocean's fluid dynamics.
Diagram of the Great Pacific Garbage PatchAlthough the Marpol 73/78 prohibits international marine dumping from ships, garbage continues to find its way into oceans, killing marine life that either ingest the plastics or become entangled in it. Several organizations sponsor clean-up efforts, but many initiatives remain uncoordinated and are mostly symbolic. That's why prevention of plastic waste is the first step in protecting our oceans.
An albatross chick confused plastic garbage for foodThe Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) works to safeguard seascapes that are the home of ocean giants, coral reefs, and great colonies of seabirds. The WCS's efforts focus on land-based pollution and runoff, as well as on maintaining coastal livelihoods, the effects of overfishing, and climate change on coral reefs. An interdisciplinary conservationist, Dr. McClennen oversees the WCS's marine conservation efforts in 13 focus areas worldwide, from Belize to Indonesia.
by James Way