It is becoming increasingly clear that our life-sustaining oceans are in big trouble. Various reports indicate that many fish species have suffered dramatic population declines in recent years, some facing close to 90% depletion! Soon, fish may be on the menu only for those wealthy enough to afford it. The rest of us will have to make due with those cool Japanese plastic display pieces that look like real fish. Unfortunately, they are pretty tasteless and take forever to chew….
Speaking of fish and plastic…I just watched a recent TED episode entitled, “Charles Moore: Sailing the Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” in which Captain Moore reveals the startling truth about the growing plastic content in our oceans. Moore is the founder of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation and also the captain of their research vessel. His crew is credited with accidentally discovering the Great Pacific Garbage Patch–an endless floating waste of plastic trash–while participating in a cross-Pacific yachting competition. The mass is estimated to be two times the area of Texas and growing.
Since finding the “garbage patch”, Moore has dedicated his time to analyzing the patch and possible disastrous impacts on aquatic life forms. He founded the Algalita Marine Research Foundation with the intention to conduct several annual research expeditions to the patch. Data derived from the collection and analysis of surface water samples is used to raise awareness about the growing problem and to discover ways to reduce or halt the damage. If you have the time, watch this video and make an effort to reduce plastic consumption in your life starting today.
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