Learn about Marine Debris Lesson 2

Why is there trash in the ocean and how did it get there?

People are responsible for Marine Debris:

When people don't throw away their trash in the garbage or recycling bin, they find their way into the ocean, where it becomes Marine Debris.
When people litter on the streets or anywhere they go, that trash may end up in the drains, carried away by rain or wind, where they may eventually end up flowing into the ocean.

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Rivers and Streams:

Some trash are dumped right into rivers or streams, which can flow into larger bodies of water, like the ocean.
Other trash that are littered on the side of the road or even up in the mountains can be carried to the nearest river system by rain, wind, or flood, which may also flow into the ocean to become Marine Debris.

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Oceans and Beaches:

Some people who live near the ocean may throw away old or broken items such as TVs, refrigerators, or daily trash into the ocean illegally, where they are not supposed to. They might do this because it is easy or because there is no other garbage disposal nearby.
Beach goers and families who go to the beach for fun may also leave toys (beach balls, buckets, shovels, etc.), food wrappers, bottles, and other items that can end up in the ocean.

Broken refrigerator

Derelict Fishing Gear:

Any fishing gears, like fishing nets, fishing lines, ropes, crab cages, etc. that are left behind in the ocean are known as derelict fishing gear.
Out at sea, fisherman may leave or dump their old and broken fishing equipment in the ocean. Othertimes, nets and fishing lines get stuck on rocks and corals at the bottom of the ocean, so fishermen are not able to pull it back up and collect them.

These fishing nets that are abondoned in the ocean are called "ghost nets".