Environmental awareness documentary ‘Seaspiracy’ was released on Netflix, with a reminder of the irreparable damage Earth faces if we don’t work as a collective to save the planet.
The popular documentary exposes the commercial fishing industry and the reality of what is really happening in the middle of the ocean, as it uncovers the grim ecological destruction of the Earth’s oceans.
Environmental organisations have been presenting a solution to society for years of how to save the seas and the life within them: That is to stop the use and waste of single-use plastic. Marine life has been harmed and killed, as they get entangled in larger pieces and mistake smaller pieces of plastic for food. The ingestion of plastic particles prevents marine animals from digesting normal food and can attract toxic chemical pollutants to their organisms.
‘Seaspiracy’ revealed that animals wash up on the shores with stomachs filled with plastic, as the ocean is now filled with 150 million tonnes of plastic just floating around. Every day around 8 million pieces of plastic ends up in our oceans. But single-use plastic is not the biggest killer of marine life, as the documentary exposed that the majority of pollution in the oceans is from commercial fishing.
As 46% of waste in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is discarded fishing nets and plastic straws account for 0.03% of pollution in the ocean. The ocean is accountable for moderating the effects of climate change, absorbing about 30% of excess carbon emissions, and sparing us from extreme impacts we would otherwise experience on Earth. Essentially, if there is no ocean, there is no life.
Although there are some inconsistent conspiracies behind ‘Seaspiracy’ like participants in the documentary claiming their words were twisted and misrepresented. There may be a backlash to the documentary and its director but it doesn’t fall short of delivering the main message. The oceans need to be saved.
According to Green Peace’s website, the seas provide half of our oxygen, food for a billion people, and home for “some of the most spectacular wildlife on Earth.” But the impacts of climate change, pollution and destructive industries mean they’re in more danger than ever and need societies help.
Protecting the ocean and saving it from mankind, means that as individuals we must make proactive efforts to ensure the ocean is not destroyed. The changes we make on a separate basis will make a catastrophic difference as a societal collective.
Using far fewer plastic products is an obvious place to start. To limit your impact on the seas and its marine life, carry a reusable water bottle, use reusable bags or reusable cutlery and containers to store food.
With the latest findings of ‘Seaspiracy’ the consumption of fish is a difficult topic. Global fish populations are rapidly decreasing due to demand and unsustainable fishing practices. Changing your diet to reduce or stop the intake of seafood completely depends on an individual basis. It’s encouraged to make safe and sustainable seafood choices if you continue to consume fish.
Spreading awareness and respecting beaches and seas is another step to improve Earth’s oceans. If you are diving, surfing or relaxing on the beach, it is important to respect the marine life in their home. Explore and appreciate the ocean without disturbing the wildlife or removing rocks and coral. And if you see some litter or plastic on the beach, dispose of it appropriately, there’s plenty of public bins to use.
As Marine Biologist Sylvia Earle said: “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something and sometimes big ideas make a big difference.”