“Don’t Splash Your Trash!” Developed by Florida Sea Grant Agents: Marella Crane (Miami-Dade) Sacheen Tavares (Broward)

Trashy Facts Americans throw away every year… 40,000,000 million tons of paper 28,000,000,000 billion bottles, 60,000,000,000 billion cans, 4,000,000 million tons of plastic. The average American generates at least 6 pounds of trash every day. Plastic bags and other plastic garbage thrown into the ocean kills nearly 1,000,000 million sea creatures every year.

Objectives Identify types and sources of marine debris Analyze the impacts of marine debris on the environment Select and adopt at least 3 practices that will reduce marine debris

Types of Marine Debris Plastics Foamed plastics Glass Rubber Metal Paper Wood Cloth

Offshore Sources of Marine Debris Merchant ships Oil and gas platforms Commercial fishing vessels Research vessels Recreational boats Cruise ships

Onshore Sources of Marine Debris Beachgoers Improper disposal of trash on land Marinas and boatyards Storm water runoff Sewer overflows to rivers and streams

Marine debris seriously impacts: Environment Humans Economy

Environmental Impacts Poisoning of birds and fish through high levels of heavy metals (copper, cobalt, iron, lead, mercury, tin) Damaging of seagrass and coral reef habitats Decline in water quality

Environmental Impacts Entanglement of marine animals by debris such as beverage container rings, plastic ties, nets and straps

Environmental Impacts Ingestion of plastics causes starvation or suffocation of wildlife

Human Impacts Divers become entangled in ghost gill nets or plastic lines Contamination of our drinking water supply Beachgoers encounter hazardous conditions when debris is washed up on to shore

Human Impacts Medical waste and sewage present dangers to human health.

Economic Impacts Coastal communities lose considerable income when littered beaches must be closed or cleaned up.

Economic Impacts The fishing industry spends thousands of dollars annually for the repair of vessels that are damaged by debris.

How You Can Help Try to buy recyclable products Bring your own garbage bag to the beach to pick up trash you see Pick up trash you see on the water Reduce the amount of trash you create. Adopt a beach! Care! Pass on your knowledge!

Participate in beach cleanups!

Summary Identify types and sources of marine debris Analyze the impacts of marine debris on the environment Select and adopt at least 3 practices that will reduce marine debris

Questions? Miami-Dade County Marella Crane 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, FL (305) Broward County Sacheen Tavares 3245 College Avenue Davie, FL (954)