The Caribbean Sea contains a large collection of debris. The patch is located between Honduras and Guatemala. The litter contains plastic bags, cans, plastic forks, plastic bottles, shoes, needles, syringes, solid waste, popped soccer balls, and even dead bodies have been found in the mess. For the Caribbean sea, the pollution has become an urgent threat.

 

The trash in the sea is causing many problems. Every day, 8,000,000  waste items are thrown in the sea. The article “ The Fight for a Trash Free Caribbean Sea” states “ ...there could be as much as one ton of plastic for every 3 tonnes of fish in our oceans by 2025.”  The marine litter affects the marine life and human health. The debris is such a great quantity that it could form an entire waste Island. 

 

The sea is being suffocated and damaged by the trash.

Marine life swallow many solid waste objects that

damage their innards. It also causes destruction in

habitats. For example entangling litter on coral

reefs, smothering seabeds, and depositioning  seagrass

beds. Fishing gear disrupts and destroys coral reefs.

About 6.3 percent of the waste is from fishing gear

and water activities. The pollution causes some

species of marine life to migrate to different areas

and interrupt the ecosystem.

 

The waste not only affects the wildlife but also affects the Caribbean economically. The Caribbean relies on their crystal clear waters and clean beaches to attract tourists. But with the dangerous amount of litter tourists are afraid to enter the waters and lie on the beaches. The litter takes away the beauty and the economic benefits from tourism.

 

Human health is affected by the pollution. The medical waste in the sea can transport to the beaches and bring diseases and other health threatening issues. Sharp objects like glass can harm all humans and especially children. The plastic can clog boat  engines and wrap around a boat’s propellers.  Plastic and ropes can disrupt boats, leaving people stranded. Hospital waste can contain chemicals that damage human health. 

 

In conclusion, in the year 2017 Guatemalan authorities announced a clean up plan to help solve the problem with the litter. After ten years of litter collecting in the Caribbean Sea authorities finally decided to act on the issue. The plan is to set up organizations that support recycling and reusable products. Laws as well are to be set up to help lower the collection of waste in the water. The litter is damaging marine life, causing economic issues and human health threats. However with the help of these organizations and laws, the pollution will decline and the sea will restore its true beauty.