Ocean Pollution

Scholarly Article 1           By: Skyler Cecil In this article, “Evidence that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is Rapidly Accumulating Plastic”, a group of scientists shares the data collected and the conclusions they made from that data. In the study, they separated and counted different ocean plastics found in the GPGP. Between July and September 2015, they collected surface debris samples from in and around the GPGP. 652 nets filled with trash were carried by 18 aircrafts to be tested and measured. From these samples brought in, biomass and buoyant debris was separated and put into groups. Buoyant debris was put into groups of plastic, glass, paraffin, tar, rubber, wood, pumice, seed, or unknown. 46% of the debris found was made up of fishing nets. The results suggest that ocean plastic pollution is increasing at an alarming rate.  Reference: Lebreton, L., et al. “Evidence That the Great Pacific Garbage Patch Is Rapidly Accumulating Plastic.” Nature News , Nature Publish

Who are the "Stake-Holders" when it comes to ocean pollution? The Government  The Government is one “stake-holder” that contributes to ocean pollution. The government is able to put regulations on many things, and they need to start on ocean life. By allowing the consumption of ocean life, and these big cruise ships and transportation ships that leave oil in our oceans, they are negatively impacting the ocean. The government plays one of the biggest roles as they are capable of controlling and setting limits on the general population and how they go about this issue. It is also seen to have a negative impact considering the fact that the government puts little emphasis on how much trash is dumped into the ocean. According to BidNet, there are some actions that the government can take to help this issue. One being, “Conservation and restoration of coastal lands and habitats, wetlands, tidal marshes, sea grasses and other areas,” another being “Clean up of oil and chem