When is enough ENOUGH?  I was diving in Bali at Manta Point off Nusa Penida today.  This is supposed to be a magnificent dive site where the mantas and mola-mola congregate.  Well, today was not that day.

On the way out to the site from Sanur beach, we had to stop the boat 3 times to de-foul the propeller because of floating garbage.  We have all heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, but there is also a garbage patch in the south coast of Bali.  This garbage patch is full of plastic bags and bottles in addition to the heap of other plastic products such as lighters, flashlight bodies, and the list goes on.

A small section of the garbage patch off Bali

Bali thrives on tourism and without a clean ocean environment, tourists are going to vote with their wallet and go elsewhere.  I have the chance to meet Melati and Isabel Wijsen in Shanghai – over the last 5 years, these two remarkable young ladies have been trying since 2103 to “ban the bag” in Bali via their organization Bye Bye Plastic Bags.  They face resistance from all sides.

There has been 50% reduction in marine life between 1970 and 2012.  This is all due to human impact.  In Bali, much of the trash and bags collects in the rivers and during a storm flows to the ocean – created a soup of garbage.

Back to Manta Point – thankfully, there were no mantas today!  As a diver, yes, I’m disappointed not to see them at the cleaning station.  But as someone who wants mantas to be around for future generations, I am glad they were not filter feeding through the soup of trash.  Microplastic pollution is a major threat to filter-feeding animals such as manta rays, whale sharks, and baleen whales, according to a new study published in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution. These iconic animals are at risk of exposure to micro-plastic contamination and associated toxins.

Recent Youtube video of the Bali garbage patch from below.

That brings me you.  What are you going to do about it?  You say, “Hey, I don’t live in Bali”.  But you can make an impact. But you have to make a choice. Remember, plastic NEVER goes away, it just breaks into smaller pieces.  First, stop using single-use plastics – bag, bottles, etc.  Second, reuse any plastic you have – go to reusable containers versus a sandwich bag, use a stainless water bottle and refill versus a single use bottle, don’t take the Starbucks Frapacino in a plastic cup – bring your own.   Third, recycle – and make sure the plastic is truly recycled.  Finally, refuse to buy things in plastic packaging – or better yet, cut of off and leave it at the retail store.  Make the retailer and the manufacturer dispose of it – this will get your voice heard.

We don’t have to be talking about Paradise Lost – small steps by each of you can help to ensure we have healthy oceans for your kids and grandkids to dive and experience.