News
Around 8 million items of litter enter the marine environment every day
I’m sure the headline of this article has caught your attention.
But marine litter doesn’t really make a difference to your or me does it? It’s just makes places look unpleasant.
It actually does affect us, in lots of different ways: it can poison the water, kill organisms, and even poison us.
Scottish fishing vessels have surveyed:
- 86% restricted catch due to marine litter
- 82% had catch contaminated
- 95% snagged gear on debris in water
Populations of commercial fish stocks are declining because of the bioaccumulation of litter-related toxins. For example, sewage goes into the ocean every day and contains bacteria and viruses, and then you have the nutrients entering from agricultural wash off leading to algal blooms and dead zones. Fifty years ago there were only 49 known ocean dead zones… now there is over 400 worldwide.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=a8ae2vq45eA
Marine litter is a global issue, but all is not lost. Some dead zones can be temporary and repaired, but we need to change our ways as a species now. If we work together we can really make a difference.
Every year there are new legislations being passed to limit the amount of litter entering our waters. But there is still so much left to be done and we can make a difference.
There is so much you can do!
- Talk to your children: Explain to them in simple terms the effects of their litter and the importance that they clean up after themselves. I’ve linked a helpful site with ways to discuss the situation with young children.
- Clean up after yourselves: When you are out make sure you clean up your own litter (if possible you could clean up some other litter too – only footprints should be left).
- Litter picks: Why not start a day out by joining a local litter pick? It doesn’t even have to be at a beach! When you attend a litter pick make sure you have the correct precautions such as gloves and sturdy shoes, and please keep an eye on any children taking part, because you never know what they could find
- In 2014 Surfers against Sewage (SAS) organised 335 beach clean-ups and received over nine thousand volunteers in the UK. Their goal is to have reduced litter on UK beaches by 50% by 2020, a goal which is easily reachable if we all work together and volunteer. There is an estimated 41,146,380 pieces of marine litter on the British coast line. Sounds like an impossible goal, huh? Actually, in 2014 SAS collected almost 60 tonnes of litter. To learn more about SAS litter picks and how you can organise your own please click on this link: SAS beach clean campaign
- Internationally there is www.oceanconservancy.org who are working to organise international litter picks each year. This year it will be held on September 17th 2016. The site has some great information about how to reduce your litter effect for individuals and even businesses so why not check them out and sign their litter pick pledge.
- Use less plastic: Plastic bags can take anywhere from 150 years to over a thousand before they degrade. Plastic bage are not biodegrade though; instead they are broken down by light into tiny fragments of plastic, which are toxic, and are known as microplastics. According to Greenpeace there are an estimated 1,000,000 birds, 100,000 turtles, and countless other sea organisms dying each year from ingesting plastic bags alone. The bags are mistaken for jellyfish and other forms of edible sea creatures. Then you have microplastics which can be formed from the breakdown of larger plastics, but are also placed in products – like the ones in face scrubs and toothpastes, for example. Due to the tiny size it’s bypassed by water treatment and is washed down to the rivers, streams, and eventually the ocean. To see what different products contain microplastics look at this link.
- Compost: Remember earlier I mentioned algal blooms? Well they can be caused by chemicals in the food we throw away or wash down or drains.
If you have the room and the time (it’s really simple) you could set up a compost heap, which not only reduces the amount of organic matter going into our oceans, but also can be used instead of artificial fertilizers.
Some easy steps for setting up a home compost:
- A home compost bin should be at least 1 metre cubed, with a lid to prevent rain entering.
- Ideally site your compost bin in a reasonably sunny site on bare soil.
- Bottomless bins are better as the allow earthworms to enter and speed up the process.
- Lots of food waste can be used to make compost, except meat/fish products, dairy products, grease/oil or bones.
- The smaller your scraps are cut the quicker then can decompose.
- You can compost peelings, egg shells, hair, small amounts of paper/softcard, plants, and tea/coffee particles.
- Keep filling it!
- Composting can take weeks or months depending on how much air and moisture are present.
- The compost is ready to use when it is crumbly in appearance and has a slightly earthy smell.
- Spread away!
This isn’t an extensive list of how you can reduce the amount of litter going into the ocean: it’s only the tip of the iceberg, but it’s a start.
Article sources:
Marine Litter – An Analytical Overview – UNEP 2005
http://www.sas.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/SAS-Marine-Litter-Report-Med.pdf
News
Spooktacular Underwater Adventure: Oyster Diving’s First Halloween Scuba Party at Mercers Lake
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
Marine Life & Conservation
Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
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