毎年、大量のプラスチックやその他のごみが海に流れ込んでいます。

READING

Large amounts of plastic and other waste enter the ocean every year. Some of this rubbish floats near the surface and can remain there for long periods. To deal with the problem, some organizations are using special devices that collect floating marine waste. These systems may use barriers, nets, or machines to gather rubbish and remove it from the water.

Supporters point to several benefits. Marine animals such as sea turtles and fish sometimes mistake plastic for food or become trapped in discarded materials. Removing floating waste can reduce the chance of such accidents, protecting animals living in the ocean. There is another advantage. Small pieces of plastic may be eaten by fish and other sea creatures. These particles can then move through the food chain and eventually reach people who eat seafood. Collecting plastic before it breaks into smaller pieces may therefore reduce this type of contamination.

However, critics point out a problem. Collection devices do not always separate rubbish perfectly from living creatures. Fish, plankton, or young marine animals may be caught together with the waste and removed from the water. As a result, systems intended to protect the ocean could sometimes cause harm to marine life.