Interesting and sad photo

[Scream And Fly]

Some of you may have seen this already; the tiny seahorse carrying a Q-Tip. Not sure why the seahorse was carrying it, but that kind of scene should just not exist in nature. The photo apparently went viral, and I personally think many people are overreacting to it, using this image as a representation of the wider problem of litter in the ocean.

I am 100% in agreement with a repulsion to seeing garbage in the oceans, lakes, and rivers. It does break my heart to see animals dead from things like plastic can-holders and other things. But this particular image is more fascinating to me than a call-out for garbage in the oceans. It just looks oddly interesting. The photo was shot by Justin Hofman.

Greg

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[FMP]

I read some numbers on tonnage of plastics in the seas now, staggering. Mid pacific and Sargasso are loaded.

[XstreamVking]

I always stop and collect trash from the water. I call myself the garbage man of Pine Isl Sound. My charter customers don't mind. It can be surprising what you find. And disgusting! And on the sea horse, they don't swim very well so they hitch a ride on anything floating by going in the right direction. He's safer holding on to the q-tip than sitting out in the open by his lonesome. Gives some cover.

[CDave]

If that upsets you Greg you should see what is legally allowed to be thrown overboard at sea. It amazed me what was allowed overboard when I worked on seismic vessels in the Gulf of Mexico back in the early 90's. I'm glad to see the regulations have tightened up on what is allowed overboard.

http://www.professionalmariner.com/O...owing-problem/

These two signs are sold for ships to post on their vessels.

[powerabout]

If you were dropping plastic into the sea in the 90's and in the Gulf of Mexico, I think you were breaking the law for 2 reasons.
Annex V: Prevention of pollution by garbage from ships
Entry into force: 31 December 1988

This deals with different types of garbage and specifies the distances from land and the manner in which they may be disposed of. The requirements are much stricter in a number of "special areas" but perhaps the most important feature of the Annex is the complete ban imposed on the dumping into the sea of all forms of plastic.

http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/SpecialAreasUnderMARPOL/Pages/Default.aspx

http://www.imo.org/en/KnowledgeCentr...ind%20them.htm

[delawarerick]

How many motors have burned up from plastic bags

[CDave]

If you were dropping plastic into the sea in the 90's and in the Gulf of Mexico, I think you were breaking the law for 2 reasons.
Annex V: Prevention of pollution by garbage from ships
Entry into force: 31 December 1988

This deals with different types of garbage and specifies the distances from land and the manner in which they may be disposed of. The requirements are much stricter in a number of "special areas" but perhaps the most important feature of the Annex is the complete ban imposed on the dumping into the sea of all forms of plastic.

http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/SpecialAreasUnderMARPOL/Pages/Default.aspx

http://www.imo.org/en/KnowledgeCentr...ind%20them.htm

No plastic was dumped overboard. Don't know why you thought that.
Before I worked on boats I just thought you couldn't throw anything overboard besides slop.

I have broken the law by pissing off the side of unmanned platforms, I was working at, and in emergencies taken a dump. Both are illegal but when ya gotta go ya gotta go.