Beach clean-ups help protect the marine ecosystem by removing the trash that poses a danger to aquatic animals and plants!
Thousands of marine animals worldwide have been affected by plastic pollution, including sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. Therefore, Beach clean-ups are vital to mitigate the problem caused by ocean debris and the danger that plastic pollution poses to marine life.
Yesterday afternoon we teamed up with the lovely Caroline from Sharks Trust on a windy New Brighton beach on the hunt for shark and ray eggcases!
We found 118 Thornback Ray and 17 Small Spotted Catshark eggs!
FIVE reasons you should care about our ocean
1. The ocean regulates our climate and provides the air we breathe
The ocean produces over half of the world’s oxygen and absorbs 50 times more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere!
2. The ocean feeds us
The ocean and its biodiversity provide our global community with 15 per cent of the animal protein we eat. In least developed countries, seafood is the primary source of protein to over 50 per cent of the population.
3. It provides jobs and livelihoods
More than three billion people rely on the ocean for their livelihoods, the vast majority in developing countries. In many of those, ocean-based industries such as tourism and fisheries are key sources of income and jobs.
4. The ocean is a tool for economic development
The maritime economy is vast. Marine shipping accounts for trillions of dollars in trade. Ocean tourism is also valued in the trillions. Offshore energy, such as oil, gas, and wind, also make up the maritime economy.
5. We need a healthy ocean to survive
The Ocean is the heart of the planet. Water covers more than two-thirds of the Earth’s surface. The deep waters are home to some amazing wildlife and some of the biggest creatures on earth! It provides us with food, jobs, life, entertainment, and sailing!