Background notes
The coast and ocean are home and habitat to an amazing variety of plants and animals. They live together in this complex marine environment. The marine environment has many uses and meanings for us too. But are we caring for the coasts and oceans? Marine pollution is high on the list of ocean issues. We need to consider what is making our oceans dirty, why we must be concerned for their well-being and how we can help to keep our seas clean, healthy, alive and living.

Discussion
What is marine debris? Where is most of this coming from? Answer: the land
What else is polluting the coasts and oceans? eg dumping, ballast water, oil spills, land management practices, sewage, stormwater.
Where is the rubbish (marine debris) coming from? eg stormwater, drains, waste water, runoff, litter, boats, fishers and ships
Why do we need to keep our seas clean, healthy, alive and living?
Does the sea have its own natural cleaning systems?

Personal Actions
Do you?

	ÿ Sweep rather than hose down outdoor areas?
	Wash the car on the lawn using a bucket not a running tap?
	Avoid using the drains as a means of disposing unwanted materials?
	Reduce, reuse, recycle and dispose of household rubbish appropriately?
	Keep street drains clean? All the water washes to the creek and beaches, taking with it rubbish, oils, plant clippings and dirt.

Suggested activity
(join the club to receive the poster and activity instructions)
Adopt a beach
Drains to the river