Protecting our oceans and marine life-the case of Serena Beach Resort & Spa

Abstract

With over 70% of the earth’s surface covered by oceans and approximately 94% of life on earth being aquatic, oceans play a crucial role in maintaining life on earth. Yet, this importance and marine life in general that they support is under severe threat due a wide array of factors, which include: climate change and rising water temperatures, destructive fishing practices, insensitive tourism operations and pollution among others. There is global consensus among scientists for instance that plastic pollution has had devastating impacts on the marine life resulting in declines in populations of some species such as sea turtle. Plastic bags resemble jelly fish, a common food for sea turtles and some seabirds eat plastic because it releases a chemical that makes it smell like their natural food. After ingesting the plastics, their stomachs get filled with plastic debris, preventing them from feeding and eventually leading to their death. Abandoned or discarded fishing gear which are largely made of plastic has also been identified as another cause of death of marine life as they become entangled in them.