Plastics in the Ocean (a remedy)

Posted on by Fiona

Plastics in the Ocean

Posted 10th June 2018

For some time, I’ve had the idea of a way to approach the millions of tons of plastic in the ocean in that region where it congregates.
That plastic is in a cycle, all the while it is growing in size while at the same time the more aged plastic is breaking down into microscopic size and entering the food chain of sea creatures, all sea creatures. Those sea creatures that don’t directly consume it, ultimately consume those creatures that have. Then of course all land creatures that rely on the sea for their food such as birds and of course, ourselves.
Fishing has been a very good living for many, but there are those fishing boat owners who now are not able to make the income they once did whose boats are likely sitting idle.
These boats have large storage, with, I believe, refrigeration. My idea is to convert this storage to be able to heat-shrink plastics (which shrinks the plastic to a very tiny size without burning it). These boats could net up the plastic, process it, and be paid per ton of compressed and shrunken plastics.
I believe there are those people who have made a good living from the sea, some for generations who would welcome the opportunity to re-purpose their boats while helping the environment and the sea life that once supported them.
The logistics to achieve this would not be difficult. Would be very worthwhile for all concerned and bonus’ for other items such as deadly nets floating about being picked up and other such hazards, the health and wellbeing of our ocean and its inhabitants would begin benefitting almost immediately.
Those boat owners who have little to no capital could perhaps apply for a grant for the costs of conversion to heat shrinkage and the appropriate storage units but out of work fishing boats and their owners should be given priority.
This would go a long way to addressing the sea of plastics currently in the ocean.

By Fiona MacLeod©