MARINE DEBRIS HARMS PEOPLE
Trash in our waterways increases the amount of bacteria, chemicals, and pathogens5. Plastic debris has the ability to transport and concentrate chemical pollutants into marine food webs and thus, human diet. This not only can threaten the health of humans, but it negatively impacts water quality11 In addition, ocean trash washed up on shore can expose humans to broken glass, rusty nails, and syringes which present physical danger5.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
Threatening economic health, marine debris can cause physical damage as well as discouraging tourism. A common issue that many boats face in over littered seas is nets and fishing lines entangling propellers. In addition of the physical damage, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation released reports that found that littered beaches lost the region $622 million/year in tourism. The dwindling fishing industry is also seeing a reduction of $364 million/year. Ocean trash is costing the regions shipping industry approximately $297 million/year due to physical interruptions and complications. And in total, the marine economy in the region is losing $1.265 billion/year due to marine debris11.
A study of fish in the north pacific subtropical gyre showed that 19 percent of individuals in the region contained some sort of ocean trash. Many of these fish are commonly eaten by people11.
HOW OCEAN TRAsH KILLS