California Coastal Commission

I went to a training by the California Coastal Commission the other day. It was held for educators, and since reCREATE has an environmental message, they welcomed my attendance.
As a scuba diver, I know there are many issues going on in our oceans. But the one thing they said that stood out was this:
Pieces of plastic outnumber plankton 6 to 1 in the Pacific Ocean. Plastic doesn't bio-degrade. It breaks down into smaller pieces and then birds, fish and other sea life mistake it for food and eat it. It is not only poisoning them (think twice before ording that seafood.), it also is doing so weird stuff hormonally to the fish.

Here is a clip of a video from the Algalita Marine Research Foundation that shows more about this problem. As I live inland, I asked if the lessons showed how we contribute to that problem...
streams, rivers eventually flow to the ocean. I am also currently reading Jacques Cousteau's Book The Human the Orchid and the Octopus. I grew up watching this amazing man on television, reading his recount of the decline of the oceans' bounty is heart wrenching.

So what can we do? I'm trying to buy in bulk - less plastic. Taking my own shopping bags, and I still find it irritating how much plastic is around us. Every piece of plastic that was every made is still here. Oh... and I'm touring the landfill this week to better understand how they process our recyclables and trash.

Here are a couple more links if you want to learn more:

Our Oceans Are Turning Into Plastic, Are We?

Algalita Marine Research Foundation