Marine Life Under Threat

We are two students from Shorecliffs Middle School in San Clemente. We have been studying the future of marine life in the face of the growing water pollution problem. We would like to express our concern regarding this topic.

Although it is illegal to dump any trash into the ocean, the growing number of plastics in the ocean have threatened marine life. Sea gulls, seals, fish, and other marine animals often become entangled in the synthetic nets of fishermen and plastic six-pack rings.

Another big pollutant is oil spills, which kill many animals at one time. Oil spills clog gills and also cause immovable wings so animals near the surface cannot escape. Chemicals harm the reproductive and immune systems of dolphins and seals. Also, many sewage treatment plants have not upgraded their facilities to comply with the requirements of the Clean Water Act. As a result, improperly treated waste is released into the ocean, where it poisons the marine animals. When these and other types of pollution occur in combinations, the outcome is fatal for the animals in the ocean and on the shore.

ERIN DAVIS

VANESSA LAUZON

San Clemente