'SAVE MARINE LIFE"

The ocean is a part of life. It is very important for human survival and as a source of clean drinking water.

However, many human activities contribute to more than 80% of wastewater discharged into rivers or oceans. These conditions kill marine ecosystems and affect the ocean's ability to provide food resources, protect sources of income and maintain water cleanliness. The oceans make up 96.5% of the earth's water, yet only less than 1% is fresh water and available for human consumption.

The Commonwealth is very fortunate to be blessed with millions of kilometers of coastline.

Unfortunately, most of these countries face problems as a result of rising ocean temperatures, ocean acidification and marine pollution. Various marine wastes have long been a problem to marine life. About 80% of marine pollution is caused by land-based activities.

Each year, an estimated 67 million tonnes of plastic, all of which contain toxins, are dumped into the sea as a result of irresponsible human activities, thus becoming a threat to marine life as well as marine ecosystems and human health around the world. Plastic waste causes more than a million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals to die each year.

According to the Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Cleanup report in 2017, the most common litter found in the ocean includes cigarette butts, plastic bottles, plastic bottle caps, plastic bags, plastic beverage straws and styrofoam containers that can harm seals, dolphins, whales , sharks and humans.

As consumers, we all need to make changes in promoting ocean conservation by reducing the use of plastics, encouraging the use of biodegradable (biodegradable) products and, adopting wise dietary measures by consuming seafood more responsibly.

Ocean conservation strategies and effective solutions to the problem require action from all sectors of society, whether young or old. We all need to together take responsibility in protecting diverse ecosystems.

There are several steps that can be taken to save our oceans for future generations:

Encourage and raise public awareness by studying and sharing facts about the ocean. Environmental education and learning will foster awareness which in turn promotes its conservation.