🌊 Beneath the calm surface of the ocean, a hidden danger lurks: ghost nets. These abandoned fishing nets keep trapping turtles, whales, dolphins, seals, seabirds, sharks, rays, and countless species of fish and invertebrates long after they are lost. Modern fishing nets, made from tough synthetic materials, can endure for decades, wounding marine life, tearing fragile reefs, and breaking down into microplastics that enter our food chain. ⚠️ The scale of the problem is staggering. Every year, massive amounts of fishing gear are lost at sea, with global costs in the billions from damaged reefs, depleted catches, and lost tourism. Left to drift, a single ghost net can snare countless animals and strip coral reefs bare as it drags across their fragile branches. ✨ But change is possible. Around the world, divers, scientists, and local communities are working to recover ghost nets and recycle the nylon into sustainable products. New technologies, from biodegradable nets to satellite-tracked...

Across the world’s oceans, microplastics and other pollutants move through the water into marine food webs. Consumed by fish, shellfish, and many other species, these particles can carry chemicals such as persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals. Over time, they accumulate in seafood, linking ocean health directly to the quality and safety of what we eat. Industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and discarded plastics have implications for human health and contribute to coral reef decline, habitat disruption, and reduced biodiversity. These stressors can alter feeding patterns and affect population dynamics in marine species. Recognizing this interconnectedness helps us understand how changes in the ocean ripple through entire ecosystems and ultimately affect both people and marine life. 🌊🐟 📺 For more on the pathways, science, and implications, see the full episode in the video below.