Why is there trash in the ocean? - Lesson Four

• Social Studies
• History
• +3
• 1st,2nd Grade

Introduction

Lesson 4 – Can we help by - refuse, reduce, reuse and recover? This lesson covers: • How we can stop trash ending up in the ocean. • Discuss how to refuse, reduce, reuse and recover. Learning activities: • Think about how they can refuse, reduce and reuse at home and school. • Drawing, writing and discussion exercises on what they have learned. .

Instructions

Time: 45 minutes

Contact: [e-mail]
© Sea Shepherd 2022

Lesson 4 - How can we help?

This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd.  Sea Shepherd is a marine conservation organisation with a mission to protect the ocean and marine wildlife.  Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the ocean, running numerous direct action campaigns each year.  Ocean pollution is one issue Sea Shepherd is working on.

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During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.

Illegal Fishing

Illegal fishing means that the fishermen enter the territorial waters of a country or regulated marine zone without permission or without a license for the fish they intend to catch.

They are stealing from these waters.

HOW CAN WE STOP TRASH ENDING UP IN THE OCEAN?

We know what is ending up in the ocean, how it finds its way there, and how harmful it is to marine animals, so what can we do to stop this from happening.
Ask students:
“What are some of the ways you think we can stop trash ending up in the ocean, especially plastics?”

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Refuse to use plastic items

We can stop something becoming trash by not using it in the first place.
Refuse – When offered these items just say no. For instance, plastic straws or plastic bags that you don’t really need.
What items can you think of you could say no to?

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Reducing the amount of plastics we use.

Next we can look at ways to reduce the amount of plastics we use. Reduce is simple if you don’t really need it, don’t take it. Avoid plastic items that we don’t need, like plastic wrappings and balloons etc, Items we use once and throw away afterwards.
Instead of balloons we can make decorations that can be reused or recycled. Instead of plastic wrap we can use containers, like lunch boxes for your sandwich.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Use reusable items.

Instead of single use plastic products that could end up in the ocean, how about choosing reusable items.  Like using a reusable water bottle, instead of plastic bottled water and cutlery rather than disposable plastic. Encourage your parents to use items like coffee cups and travel mugs for when they buy coffee rather than disposable cups.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Recover trash.

We can also help to recover trash.
    Remove rubbish from parks, schoolyards and beaches. Every bit you pick up helps prevent rubbish from ending up in drains and waterways and ultimately ending up in the ocean.
    Help recover marine debris from waterways and the ocean. People join in dives to remove rubbish from around jetties / piers, reef systems and the seafloor.

www.seashepherdglobal.org

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Refer Teachers Guide for Learning Activities.