Ocean animals are in danger every day. The ocean is filled with plastic, trash, and much more that is dangerous to not only the animals, but also to the people swimming in the ocean. Plastic is killing the  animals by getting stuck around their necks and choking them or trapping them until they starve to death. Lucky for us, there are organizations that are helping clean the ocean and make the ocean safe for animals and people alike.

The coastline and beaches need to be cleaned up as well as the ocean. As everyone knows, if there is a mess on the beach with lots of plastic, glass, and trash, it can all get carried into the ocean. Not only is trash getting pulled into the ocean, but animals on land, like birds, are being affected by the trash when they eat it or get caught in it. As people, we want clean beaches and clean water as well as safety for the animals and for us not to worry what washes up on the shore and what we’re standing on when we go in the ocean. This can’t happen without change, but, luckily, there are many things we can do to help.

There are many bracelets that you can purchase that go towards a cause to clean the ocean. For example, both Pura Vida and 4ocean are sponsors that put their money towards the ocean. 4ocean bracelets are made out of plastic bottles and glass to help give a beachy feel and also to protect the ocean by making the plastic and glass on a bracelet. Pura Vida bracelets are made by using a wax string that’s waterproof and contains 8 strings. Their main mission is to clean the ocean; however, it doesn’t stop there.

The procedes raised by charity bracelets on the website go towards the oceans, the beach, and the sea animals. The animals they support include dolphins and baby turtles. Some of the money is going to expose complex, global environmental issues, and promote advocacy through the use of photographs, social media, and videos. Some also goes towards turtles that are endangered due to poaching, getting caught in fishing gear, and plastic pollution. In addition, and very importantly, money is going towards the organization B.E.A.C.H. which is a group who promotes plastic reduction/ litter prevention campaigns, marine debris removal and research and brings awareness to the community.

4oceans was created by two surfers, Andrew Cooper and Alex Schulze. Every 4ocean bracelet is made with recycled materials. For every bracelet purchased, the funds remove 1 pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines. In less than two years, 4oceans has removed 4,034,567 pounds of trash from the coastlines and ocean. 4oceans has full-time captains and crew that are cleaning the coastlines and ocean 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The organization B.E.A.C.H. was found in 2006 and is a volunteer organization that is helping find solutions to the problem of marine debris on Hawaii’s beaches. B.E.A.C.H. has lots of suggestions to help save the beaches and oceans, some for example would be: use reusable bags, always dispose items properly, pick up litter whenever you see any, take home all plastic toys from the beach, recycle, and pick up marine debris on shorelines. You can find the beach bracelet on their website. If you buy one, 100% of that donation will go towards helping the beaches in Hawaii. If interested in joining the organization B.E.A.C.H., you can join between earth day to April 22^nd. Call 393-2168 to help save the beaches and marine life!

The animals are in danger and we are responsible. Whether it’s you or someone else that’s leaving a mess on the beach, we shouldn’t be the ones creating the problem, we should be stopping it. In order for our oceans to be safe and clean, we should all try to follow B.E.A.C.H.’s suggestions every day and encourage others to do so as well. You can also help by buying a bracelet from Pura Vida or 4oceans to put your money towards protecting our beaches and ocean.