Healthy Habitats and Oceans (H2O) Program
CMA focuses on the journey from the aquifer to the ocean, connecting the water, animals and humans that rely on healthy coastal resources and habitat.
As one of the leading coastal conservation organizations in the USA, CMA holds first-hand knowledge of the damage that marine debris causes to marine species’ populations. A component of our organization’s mission, which promotes the conservation of endangered marine animals to gain protections for larger coastal regions, involves rescuing individual animals from marine debris entanglements during our research efforts. These efforts are often in vain, as many of these entanglements lead to mortality. As a major focus of our work is endangered species protection, our team is seeking to prevent these losses, which are unsustainable for the recovery of these imperiled species.
CMA is now running a marine debris educational program, Healthy Habitats and Oceans (H²O), with a specific focus on how endangered marine species are impacted by this pervasive threat. We hope to draw attention to the increasing threat of marine debris by outreaching to citizens, and youth in particular, throughout the state of Florida. CMA has acquired a 27’ bus that is used as a mobile learning unit to visit elementary through high schools and attend community festivals along the east and west coasts of Florida and Georgia. Our team presents educational programs instructing these audiences on preventing land-based litter and derelict fishing gear from reaching the ocean. Visits to schools are supplemented with an optional beach-clean up in the following weeks to cement lessons learned while on our educational vehicle.
Educating the public to promotes awareness
CMA’s past experiences in educating the public on marine issues lead us to the conclusion that often people are simply unaware that their actions affect conservation. Once a citizen is informed and aware, they often implement changes for the betterment of the environment. CMA is expecting broad-based benefits to the marine system along the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic Coast from Georgia to Florida through a reduction in beach/boat littering and discarded fishing gear. In addition to the coastal system, this program will enrich participating students by infusing them with a sense of community and purpose. Furthermore, festival participants benefit through the understanding that they are able to become actively involved in conservation efforts through simple behavioral change.
Marine Debris Facts
Marine Debris Facts
- Marine debris is defined as any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or the Great Lakes.
- 80% of marine litter is land-based while an estimated 20% is ocean-based.
- Debris threatens ALL species of marine life.
- ENTANGLEMENT affects over 200 marine species worldwide.
- Sea turtles, marine mammals, fish, and seabirds often mistake marine debris for food.
- INGESTION can lead to malnutrition and starvation as debris collects in the stomach and causes animals to feel full. It can also prevent proper nutrient absorption.
- Some marine plastics are made of toxic chemicals that can cause reproductive issues and death when ingested.
- Ecosystems can be smothered by ghost nets, plastic bags, and derelict fishing gear, permanently altering the environment.
- Marine debris can contribute to the migration of invasive species through “rafting.”
Some of the Marine Debris We’ve Collected Since July 2015!
17280 cigarettes/filters
9941 macroplastics
5406 microplastics
5107 food wrappers
3806 plastic cap rings
2555 straws/stirrers
1819 plastic bottles
1688 forks/knives
1629 fishing line
1536 plastic bags
1406 aluminum drink cans
1312 foam food containers
840 glass bottles
560 balloons/strings
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78 condoms
58 syringes
36 diapers
