In honor of International Coastal Cleanup Day 2009!

California Coastal Cleanup Day
Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup

International Coastal Cleanup Day is Sept. 19, 2009 – Marine debris is any man-made, solid material that enters our waterways directly or indirectly. A problem that not only damages our marine and coastal ecosystems, litter that finds its way into the environment affects wildlife as well as beach goers  Nearly 80% of debris, found on beaches, coastal waters, estuaries, and oceans, is washed, blown, or dumped from shore, while 20% is from recreational boats, ships, fishing vessels, and ocean platforms.

Cigarette butts, soda cans, plastic bags, and fishing gear are slow to degrade and present horrific problems to the life they encounter. Studies have shown that marine debris threatens over 265 different species of marine and coastal wildlife through entanglement, smothering, and interference with digestive systems.

Whether a small or large-scale polluter, the litter entering our seas and oceans is reducing fish and wildlife populations.  In fact, the cumulative impact of continuous, small-scale pollution can be dramatic.  The increase in the use of various kinds of plastic as durable, lightweight packaging has heightened the need for proper management and disposal.  Because of the abundance of plastic in our daily lives, it is of no surprise that it is ubiquitous in our world’s oceans.

Besides the threats to wildlife, certain types of marine debris, such as broken glass and medical waste wash-ups, can pose a serious threat to public health.  This type of debris and pollution has resulted in beach closures and swimming advisories that have robbed coastal communities of significant tourism dollars.

So go beach combing this weekend and forget the shells…GET THAT TRASH AND SAVE WILDLIFE!

California Coastal Cleanup Day
Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup

The 10 most common debris items found worldwide during the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup in September:

Cigarettes and filters: 3,216,991

Plastic bags: 1,377,141

Food wrappers and containers: 942,620

Caps and lids: 937,804

Plastic bottles: 714,892

Paper bags: 530,607

Straws and stirrers: 509,593

Cups, plates and cutlery: 441,053

Glass bottles: 434,990

Drink cans: 401,412

Source: Ocean Conservancy