5 Oceans of the World

Oceans: What You Should Know and What You Can Do

10 Things You Can Do To Save the Oceans

1. Don't throw heavy metals down the drain.

2. How safe is your household cleaner?

3. Plastic is filling the oceans.

4. Think about how your food is produced.

5. A healthy lawn and garden?

6. Be careful what you flush down the toilet.

7. Recycle used motor oil.

8. Support or volunteer for the oceans.

9. Educate yourself.

10. Become active.

Location: India

Location: Panama

Location: US Virgin Islands

Location: Canada

Location: Hawaii

Location: North Carolina

Location: Florida

Location: Korea

Need I say any more?

The above images are from http://marinedebris.noaa.gov

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What You Can Do:

While treaties, laws and regulations are vital tools in combating the marine debris problem, individual action to curb marine debris is just as important, if not more so. People who enjoy boating and its related activities can help reduce the amount of marine debris that enters the oceans and waterways by following these guidelines:
Boaters
•Bring ALL of your trash back to shore and collect any debris that you find in or near the water and dispose of it properly.

•Properly stow and secure all trash on your boat so that it won’t be blown or washed overboard.

•Follow the marine debris regulations required by Annex V of MARPOL. Remember that it is illegal to dispose of any plastic materials into any navigable waters of the United States.

•Reduce, reuse, recycle. Purchase reusable products and containers and recycle your plastic, metal, glass and paper products – including monofilament fishing line.

•Support environmentally responsible marinas. Encourage your docks, marinas, fishing piers and boat ramps to provide adequate trash cans and recycling bins.

Marinas

•Set up and clearly label recycling bins for staff and customers. Call your local department of environmental protection to find out what materials can be recycled in your area.

•Encourage boaters to set up an onboard system to segregate trash for easy disposal and recycling on shore.

•Empty trash cans, dumpsters and recycling bins regularly.

Report any illegal dumping you witness on the water or at a marina to your local U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Office on VHF marine radio Channel 16 or call the USCG National Response Center at
(800) 4248802 to locate the Sector Office near you.