Ocean Conservation with Spongebob Squarepants

By: Christina Andrea Alvear

Image Source: Spongebob and Gary (both images) SpongeBob SquarePants character montage by Nickelodeon (NickRewind) CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia commons

Hellooo everybody! Do you know what I love more than jelly fishin’? Savin the Sea! Baaahahahahahaha! I’ve partnered with MISS to talk about conservation.  Savin the Sea is super important because lately I see a whole lotta trash in Bikini Bottom.  

The Problem
Last week, I saw Mrs. Puff stuck in a plastic six pack ring.  I found a plastic straw stuck in Gary’s shell and Squidward had to clean small bits of plastic from his clarinet.  The problem isn’t just in Bikini Bottom, it's everywhere! Plastic waste makes up 80% of all marine pollution.  By 2050, plastic will likely outweigh all fish in the sea.

What you can do
There’s a whole lot to do when savin the sea! How do we remember all of this? Use the 4 R’s: Refuse, Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle.  If you have time to do more, join a beach clean up! 

Refuse
Say “nooo thanks!” to disposable items.  For example, when I order a krabby patty at Krusty Krabs for takeout and they ask if I want disposable utensils, I wave my hand and shake my head really hard and say “Thanks, but nooo way!” “I got knives and forks at home.  That way, there is less I have to throw away and I can still share my patty with Gary.  Right, Gary? “Meow”

Reuse
What do you use most? Skip disposables and get reusables.  Avoid single use plastic bottles and use reusable bottles! Fun fact! Some parks are installing water bottle filling stations to do their part! It's not just about water bottles, you can get creative and repurpose all sorts of things.  

Reduce
If you have to use disposable items, try to reduce how much stuff you use.Online shopping? Combine packages! For example, when getting groceries, bring your own handy dandy reusable bag.  Sometimes, when I can’t find my bag, (in a low whisper) “I use Gary’s shell”  Just don’t tell Gary! Baahahahahaha!  

Recycle
If you have to throw away something, learn about where you can recycle different items.  You might have different trash bins to throw away different items such as plastic, paper, food waste, and yard trimmings.  It’s not just about disposing things properly, you can also get creative with, “Imagination” (*creates a rainbow out of thin air).  My Ol’ Reliable, jelly fish net, is made of carbon fiber frame, titanium alloy net, and ergonomic silicone handle.  Other jellyfish nets can be made of bamboo, metal, and other recycled materials!  Even my house is recycled!  It’s made of pineapple, straw, and wood.  


Remember, everyone has to do their part!  You can practice the 4 R’s and volunteer to help reduce waste.  I’m ready! I’m ready! Are you?

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Resources
Want to learn more and have fun activities to do with the family? Check out these links below!

Things to do at home, at the store, on the water on the shore.: Refuse, Reuse, Reduce, Recycle
https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/how-help/home

Plastic pollution key facts
https://oceanliteracy.unesco.org/plastic-pollution-ocean/