Every day, consumer plastics, metals, rubber, paper, textiles, derelict fishing gear, and other lost or discarded items find their way into our oceans, making marine debris a pervasive pollution problem affecting waterways, wildlife, environments, economies, and public health. Sources of marine debris are diverse, spanning from everyday consumer items to abandoned vessels. Most of this debris originates from littering, dumping, boating, and shoreline recreational activities, posing a complex and pervasive threat to biodiversity. This issue is particularly impactful in the delicate ecosystem of Biscayne Bay.
What are the Impacts of Marine Debris?
The consequences of marine debris are far-reaching, affecting marine ecosystems, endangering wildlife through ingestion and entanglement, degrading habitats, and impacting public health.
- Ingestion: Animals often mistake debris for food, which can cause internal injuries, and blockages, and lead to malnutrition.
- Entanglement and Ghostfishing: Debris can entangle animals, and abandoned gear can continue to trap and kill marine organisms.
- Hazard to Navigation: Abandoned vessels or gear can lead to accidents, damage boats, and endanger human lives.
- Habitat Degradation: Debris can physically damage our habitats and affect biodiversity.
- Non-Native Species Introduction: Debris can serve as a vehicle for non-native species to new regions, which can disrupt local ecosystems and outcompete native species.
- Economic Cost: Trash comes with high costs, both in terms of cleaning up and in lost economic benefits from tourism and recreation.
Preemption
Complicating matters further are the State’s preemption policies regarding environmental matters. Some policies that are preempted at the state level are:
- Plastic bag bans
- Polystyrene (styrofoam) bans
- Restrictions on non-“reef-safe” sunscreen
Understanding and addressing these preemptions is crucial to effective environmental protection.
What can you do?
- Volunteer at Miami Waterkeeper’s community clean-up and habitat restoration events.
- Make small lifestyle changes to help prevent and reduce marine debris. Use reusable bags when shopping, recycle more regularly, clean up trash, and use a reusable water bottle.
- Take our 1,000 Eyes on the Water course to learn how to observe, document, and report pollution, such as derelict vessels.
- Advocate for sustainable solutions.
- Learn more about marine debris, its impacts, and what you can do to protect Biscayne Bay by taking the short course.
