Summary
The article discusses plastic sea pollution affecting Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monuments. The Great Pacific Garbage region contains floating plastic debris such as floating fish nets, bottles, and shopping bags, which have affected the ocean life by ingesting these pollutants. The problem has been challenging to address, but recently, cleanup cruises have helped collect over 700 tons of contaminants from the sea.
Personal Reflection
I feel every individual has a role to play in preventing the pollution of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument’s waters. The citizens need to observe proper waste disposal as poorly disposed waste is deposited in the sea. The residents are not doing enough to prevent the pollution as fishermen abandon fishing nets in oceans, and the population disposes of bottles carelessly close to and within the waters. I condemn this practice of unplanned waste disposal by man as it pollutes and endangers aquatic life. I support the initiatives to clean up the Papahanaumokuakea waters, leading to long-term health safety for both man and animal.
I would strongly appreciate the government if it enforces the legislative laws that prevent the people from polluting these water resources. It is traumatizing to see the critical aquatic life that would contribute to tourism being destroyed by pollution; it is our public responsibility to prevent these traumatizing incidents.
Resource Summary
According to Meraldi et al. (2020), plastic pollution has become one of the most severe problems globally. The writers claim that tourism and the fishing industries are the most notable sources of plastic pollution in the seas. The authors argue that the community and the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) actively taking part in the cleanup projects can help solve the problem.
Reference
Meraldi, V., Morgan, T., & Van Bavel, B. (2020). Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) and Hurtigruten partnership to bring light to the gaps in plastic marine litter knowledge. NASA ADS, 22246. Web.