Pollution in the sea

The plastic netting is strangling this bird. It is called a grebe. The grebe was caught and the plastic removed. It had dug into its neck.

This turtle is dead. Many turtles die when they eat plastic bags because they look like sea jellies. The plastic bags have been washed in from the land.

Stormwater pipes like this one carry the rainwater from the streets and roofs. The water empties into rivers and the sea.

Rainwater washes the dirt, oil and litter with it into the sea. Most of the pollution in the sea is washed in from the land.

Not many sick animals are lucky enough to be rescued. This turtle will be returned to the sea when it is healthy.

Even whales can be affected by plastic floating in the sea. They can also accidently eat plastic which can kill them.

When oil gets into the sea, it can kill many animals and plants and mess up the beach.

Oil can be spilt by ships, boats, from oil refineries or come from the stormwater drains.

Oil on the beach is being cleaned up by earth moving equipment. The oily sand will need to be buried.

Oil floats on water. Booms floating on the surface stops the oil from moving away. Skimmers remove the oil from the water.

This is other equipment being used to remove oil from the sea.

These are special bags for people walking their dogs. Why is it important for dog owners to pick up their dog droppings?

When it rains, dog poo will dissolve. It will be washed into the stormwater drains.

Stormwater drains carries the rainwater away to prevent flooding. What will happen to the litter?

Stormwater drains empty in the rivers and into the sea. The water will carry any pollution left on the ground.

Some of this rubbish will be washed into the stormwater drains. It will make the rivers and sea dirty

How can chemicals, fertiliser and paint end up in the stormwater?

Oil leaking from cars can also end up in the rivers and sea.

So that is how litter ends up on your beach and in the stomachs of turtles.

This beach tractor can make it safe for you to play on the beach. It cannot make it safe for marine life or remove pollution from the sea.

What can you do to protect the sea?