World Oceans Day was was observed on Friday to create awareness about the major role oceans play in everyday life.

The action focus for year 2018 is preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean.

Plastic pollution is causing tremendous harm to our marine resources. For example:

• 80% of all pollution in the ocean comes from people on land.
• 8 million tonnes of plastic per year ends up in the ocean, wreaking havoc on wildlife, fisheries and tourism.
• Plastic pollution costs the lives of 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals per year.
• Fish eat plastic, and we eat the fish.
• Plastic causes $8 billion in damage to marine ecosystems each year.

There are many things we can do as individuals to reduce our plastic consumption. Use less plastic and recycle the plastic you must use.