From Dugongs to Turtles. The Ocean Needs Our Help

​The dugong, commonly known as the 'sea cow' has disappeared from China. It's an animal that has inspired the legend stories of mermaid and Siren. Scientists say that one of the main reasons for its extinction is ocean pollution. Human activities such as fishing and coastal development cause a lot of trash in the ocean, which leads to ocean pollution. This trash does not disappear quickly. Sea animals often mistake it for food. For example, sea turtles mistake plastic spoons or bags for food. When they eat them, they can get sick or die. Not only sea turtles, but the decrease in the number of dugongs is also caused by fishing nets floating in the ocean. They get trapped by the nets and get injured or die. Many of these sea animals are close to becoming extinct, just like the dugong.

Ocean pollution has been growing since the mid-20th century. As more people use plastic, more waste enters the ocean. One well-known example is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It is located between Hawaii and California. This area is filled with floating plastic waste. It is extremely large, and scientists say it is three times bigger than France. This problem is important because it affects living things. Many sea animals are now endangered because of pollution, and they may disappear in the future. Experts say that even small actions can make a big difference for sea animals.

최다원  동광초등학교  3학년

​Junior Article Clipping​​