Great Pacific Garbage Patch

 Charles Moore, a racing boat captain, was sailing from Hawaii to California after competing in a yachting race. While crossing the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, Moore and his crew noticed millions of pieces of plastic surrounding his ship. It is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. There are an estimated 1.8 trillion pieces of trash in the garbage patch, according to Conservation.org, which also estimates that by 2050, the mass of ocean trash from plastic will outweigh its fish. The estimated weight is around 80,000 tons. At least 11 million tons of plastic enter all the oceans each year, and ocean-borne plastic is forecast to double by 2030, according to the Ocean Conservancy. Larger items like fishing nets or plastic shopping bags are the most visible components of ocean debris.

The current Great Pacific Garbage Patch is composed of two main areas: the Western Garbage Patch, located near Japan, and the Eastern Garbage Patch, found between Hawaii and California. The Garbage Patch discovered by Charles Moore is now known as the Eastern Garbage Patch and is found between Hawaii and California. Later the 5 Gyres Institute discovered another five garbage patches in oceans around the world. Unfortunately, more will likely be discovered over time.

It is believed that approximately half of the plastic waste in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch comes from abandoned fishing nets. However, microplastics account for 94% of the estimated 1.8 trillion plastic bits in the GPGP. Microplastics are derived from synthetic fishing nets as well as a wide range of land-based sources such as plastic bags, bottles, and other consumer items. Only 9% of all plastic is recycled. Approximately 11% of all plastic garbage ends up in aquatic habitats. Rivers are a substantial source, accounting for around 80% of all ocean plastic. Other sources of plastic in the ocean include rainwater runoff, wind-blown trash from landfills or garbage cans, and sewage overflows. 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year. The majority of this comes from those who live within 50 km of a shoreline, with some coming from even further inland inhabitants. It might take six or seven years to reach the GPGP. Larger items, such as fishing nets, cargo containers, and the materials inside directly fall off from ships into the water as spills or losses.

Marine waste in the form of plastics and non-degradable materials can be very harmful to marine life in the Gyre. Sea turtles frequently swallow plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish, their main prey. The plastic fills their stomachs, causing them to die of starvation. Smaller surface items like plastic resin pellets are another common component of marine debris.  Albatrosses mistake plastic resin pellets for fish eggs and feed them to chicks, which die of starvation or ruptured organs. Some marine mammals are especially at risk. They can get entangled in abandoned plastic fishing nets, which are being discarded largely due to unfavorable weather and illegal fishing. Seals and other mammals often drown in these forgotten nets. This phenomenon is known as “ghost fishing.” Marine debris can also disturb marine food webs in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. As microplastics and other trash collect on or near the surface of the ocean, they block sunlight from reaching plankton and algae below. Algae and plankton are the most common producers in the marine food web. If algae and plankton communities are threatened, the entire food web may change. Animals that feed on algae and plankton, such as fish and turtles, will have less food. If populations of those animals decrease, there will be less food for apex predators such as tuna, sharks, and whales. Eventually, seafood becomes less available and more expensive for people. One-quarter of all carnivorous fish in China's Xiangxi River were found to have microplastics in their digestive tracts. Ingesting microplastics affects animal growth rates and constitutes a health risk to humans as well. When animals eat plastics containing chemicals, there is a possibility the chemicals could eventually make their way up the food chain to people.

Reducing ocean waste and shrinking the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) requires both individual and business efforts toward sustainable practices. Individuals can cut down on single-use plastics by using reusable items like water bottles, shopping bags, and straws. Businesses can switch to biodegradable packaging and sustainable materials, and both should prioritize proper recycling to ensure plastic does not end up in the environment. Investing in new recycling technologies and promoting a circular economy, where products are designed to be reused and recycled, is crucial. Supporting initiatives like The Ocean Cleanup and participating in local parks, lakes, rivers, and beach cleanups can also make a significant impact. Education and awareness about plastic's environmental impact are essential, particularly in developing countries. Tourists should minimize their plastic use while traveling, using refillable bottles and reusable bags, as not all countries have effective recycling facilities. Businesses can conduct plastic audits to reduce plastic use and aim to become plastic-neutral. Supporting community-led initiatives like The Plastic Collective helps local communities recycle plastic waste into valuable products, promoting sustainable development. Society's collaboration is essential for a clean environment, protecting lakes, rivers, oceans, and ensuring our sustainable future.