The world's oceans are home to millions of species. Mammals, fish, invertabrates, and many other animals live near beaches, coral reefs, deep sea, and out in the open ocean. Pollution poses a major threat to these animals. The ocean is subject to pollution from beach-goers, fisherman, cruise ships, oil rigs, and runoff from rivers and streams.
I planned to focus this blog on oil spills, because I thought them to be one of the largest causes of pollution in the ocean. With a little reading, however, I found out that big oil spills only make up for about 5% of the ocean's oil pollution. In fact, the largest oil pollutant comes from oil that is put down the drain by people. Used car oil from getting your oil changed, for example, if not disposed of properly, could make its way to the ocean. The EPA and NOAA both are working towards eliminating ocean pollution.
Toxic waste products, pesticides, and garbage that is polluting the land, often seeps into or finds it flushed into local streams and rivers that in turn, fill into the ocean. By not taking care of the land and small bodies of water, we are indirectly affecting the ocean.
Still more laws must be made (and enforced!) about pollution, safety regulations for industrial plants and ships, and waste disposal for everyone. The world depends on its oceans already, and in the future, we will only become more dependent on them as we travel, explore, and find more ways to use its resources in our lives. It is very important that we keep it clean.