During the summer, Costa Rica’s beaches attract most national and international tourists. It’s the perfect time to enjoy beautiful days at the beach and have a lovely vacation with family and friends. Therefore, For the Oceans Foundation reminded everyone of the importance of caring for nature.
“Let’s not leave trash and use less plastic. We must deposit the waste in the dumpsters, and if there is none, we do not use it as an excuse; we bring the garbage back to the hotel or the house,” said Jorge Serendero, Director at For the Oceans Foundation.
He also mentioned that “it is important that children can play on a clean beach, that swimmers can enjoy the waves, that tourists get a good impression of the country, but above all, that we take care of marine life.”
The activist recalled that according to the UN, fish and the rest of marine life are in danger of disappearing, and if this happens, humanity’s food security would be at risk.
In addition, he explained that thirteen million metric tons of plastic are dumped into the ocean each year. This is equivalent to one garbage truck dumping its waste into the sea per minute, threatening marine life and polluting coastal areas.
By 2050, it is estimated that the ocean’s plastic will exceed the total volume of marine life that inhabits it, but the disastrous consequences are already visible. Various marine animals are in danger: turtles, birds, fish, whales, dolphins, sharks, and sea lions risk dying from ingesting these plastics or entanglement in floating waste.
“Every year, 100,000 marine mammals and 1 million birds die when they mistake microplastics for food. These obstruct their throats or digestive tracts, causing them to die from starvation or malnutrition. Humans are also part of this endangered list, as microplastics have been found in the intestinal tract and the human placenta, coming from the ingestion of marine products, ” the director of For the Oceans Foundation.
Surrender concluded by asking tourists to have a happy vacation without garbage and plastic.
Costa Rica’s beaches are unique and beautiful; it is everyone’s job to protect them so that future generations and animals can enjoy them can live in peace in their habitat.
