Protect Our Marine Life

All pictures obtained from Google.com and Ask.com.

Foil Your Oil Oil spills are one of the most common things marine life can suffer from.

Millions of birds and fish die each year from too much oil in the water and on the shores. Oil affects wildlife by coating their bodies with a thick layer. Many oils also become stickier over time which increases its adherence. Since most

oil floats on the surface of the water, it can effect many marine animals and sea birds. Unfortunately, birds and marine mammals will not necessarily avoid an oil spill. Some marine mammals, such as seals and dolphins, have been seen swimming and feeding in or near an oil spill. Some fish are attracted to oil

because it looks like floating food. This endangers sea birds, which are attracted to schools of fish and may dive through oil slicks to get to them.

Forget The Net Fishing nets may be a fun fishing tool for you, but as for the oceanic animals below, it’s

a cruel and sickening pass- time. Many boaters and fisherman, cast there nets deep out in the ocean, hoping to catch a poor innocent animal. The sad part is, dolphins,

whales, turtles and even fish, don’t realize what a net is and swim right into it. Most times fisherman are unaware the animal is caught and it often dies. By the time the fisherman pulls the net up, a dolphin or fish could be already dead. Though many people hear about how marine life is being injured and killed by boaters and their nets, no one will ever stop using them. It’s a shame to see animals hurt and die in

such a manner, so next time you go fishing, Forget The Net.

Put Trash Where It Belongs Littering is illegal, and littering in the water is much more a crime than on land.

Because throwing trash into the ocean can hurt animals that don’t know what it is. A bird or fish may mistaken it for food and could possibly choke or swallow it. Even if

you throw trash on land, a sudden gust of wind could blow it right into the water. Suffocation, and many other injuries could occur from an animals curiosity and many of them cannot be saved. Every year, along with oils spills and usage of nets, millions of marine life including shorebirds, die from trash and pollution in the water. Don’t throw trash into our oceans and don’t hesitate to pick up trash you see floating in the

current.

Do You See That Manatee? Manatees, or as some call them, Sea Cows, are just one of our marine endangered

species. Boaters do not see manatees in the water and unfortunately they are scraped by boat sides or cut from motor blades. Manatees have a habit of

swimming close to land and in shallow water, so as boaters cross over areas that are shallow they tend to hit unsuspecting manatees. Though many manatees can be spotted some boaters hit them on purpose. The gentle Sea Cows tend to die from the encounters with boats, and for mother manatees, once they have died, their

babies are left to fend for themselves. Occasionally caring passer-bys spot mother-less manatees, and they are sent to sanctuaries for protection. Manatees still to this day are in danger of boaters. Remember to always look out for manatees, and be

careful where you drive your boat.

You Can Make A Difference No one is perfect. But everyone can help make a difference by picking up trash,

rescuing hurt ocean life, or watching what they are doing while boating and fishing. Thousands of people are helping oceans everyday and in return, animals

and life in the ocean are happier, cleaner, and safer. So throw your trash away, always look where you’re driving your boat, and don’t use nets. Doing your part to

help the ocean will make life better Under the Sea.