- 80% of the debris comes from land-based activities

in North America and Asia.20%of comes from boaters, offshore oil rigs, and large cargo ships that dump orlose debris directly into the water. The majority of the debris (about 705,000 tons) is fishing nets.

2. How did it come to be in the middle of the Pacific/Atlantic?

- It follows the currents toward the middle of the Pacific and then it becomes trapped.

3. What is keeping the garbage there?

- The amount of debris accumulates because much of it is not biodegradable. Many plastics, for instance, do not wear down; they simply break into tinier and tinier pieces.

- Because the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is so far from any country’s coastline, no nation will take responsibility or provide the funding to clean it up

2. Who is helping solve this problem?

- Many individuals and international

organizations, are dedicated to not solve, but prevent the patch from growing.

3. What are some solutions to this problem?

-Scientists and explorers agree that limiting or

eliminating our use of disposable plastics and increasing our use of biodegradable resources will be the best way to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Organizations such as the Plastic Pollution Coalition and the Plastic Oceans Foundation are using social media and direct action campaigns to support individuals, manufacturers, and businesses in their transition from toxic, disposable plastics to biodegradable or reusable materials.

-No I didn’t know anything about the garbage patch.

2.Why do you think such a big problem is relatively unheard of?

- I think they’re usually ignored because no one wants to take responsibility for it. Since they assume there’s nothing to do they try to keep it from the public eye.

3.How can people help spread information about this problem and/or help develop solutions?

- By spreading awareness & helping organizations come up with ways to keep the garbage patch from accumulating more trash.

-Seals and other marine mammals are at risk because they can get tangled in plastic fishing nets. They can often drown.

-They could also disturb the food web by blocking the sunlight from reaching plankton and algae below. Animals such as fish and turtles feed on algae and plankton.