Fish Don't Wear Glasses -

Fish Don't Wear Glasses

The Ocean: A Gift to Humanity

The ocean is not just a vast body of water — it is the beating heart of our blue planet, sustaining life in ways we seem to take for granted and barely think about. Covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface, it regulates our climate, absorbing approximately a third to a half of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, provides oxygen, and it nourishes millions with its abundant resources. Yet, despite all it gives, human negligence is slowly turning the sea into a dumping ground, poisoning the very source of our survival.

Benefits of a Clean Ocean

Source of Food
- The ocean provides millions of people with their primary source of protein: fish. Fisheries support livelihoods worldwide, and seafood is an essential part of many diets.
- Sustainable fishing keeps fish populations healthy, ensuring that we continue to have access to fresh seafood.
Oxygen Production
- Did you know that over 50% of the oxygen we breathe comes from the ocean? Marine plants, such as phytoplankton, produce oxygen through photosynthesis, helping to maintain the balance of gases in our atmosphere.
Climate Regulation
- The ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, reducing the impact of climate change.
- It regulates global temperatures by distributing heat around the planet via ocean currents.
Jobs and Economy
- Millions of people work in industries related to the ocean, including fishing, tourism, shipping, and marine research.
- Coastal economies depend on healthy waters to attract tourists, divers, and beachgoers.
Medicinal Discoveries
- Marine life has contributed to groundbreaking medical advancements, including treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s, and bacterial infections.

The Interconnected Cycle of Life

Everything in nature is intricately connected, and the health of the ocean directly impacts the health of humanity.

When we pollute the sea, we poison our food, our air, and our future. Tiny plastic particles, toxic chemicals, and abandoned fishing gear infiltrate marine ecosystems, making their way into the fish we eat.

The Growing Threat of Pollution

Each year, millions of tons of plastic waste find their way into the ocean, breaking down into smaller fragments that are nearly impossible to remove. These microplastics are ingested by fish and other marine creatures, which we, in turn, consume. Studies have already found plastic in human organs, raising alarms about the long-term effects of this invisible contamination.

Laziness, indifference, and carelessness are contaminating the natural cycle of life, and we are beginning to suffer the consequences.

Discarded fishing lines, nets, and plastic debris also pose a grave danger to marine life. Sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and swallow them, leading to painful deaths. Dolphins and whales become entangled in abandoned fishing nets, unable to escape as they slowly starve or suffocate. The ocean, once a sanctuary of life, is becoming a graveyard due to human neglect.

Marine Animals Mistake Plastic for Food

- As the title says ‘Fish don’t wear glasses’ – they cannot differentiate debris from food.
- Sea turtles confuse plastic bags for jellyfish and eat them, leading to blockages in their digestive systems and eventual death.
- Fish and seabirds swallow tiny plastic pieces, filling their stomachs with toxic materials instead of real food.

Entanglement and Suffocation

- Fishing lines, plastic rings, and abandoned nets trap marine animals. Fish, dolphins, sea turtles, and even whales get caught in these hazards, unable to free themselves.
- Animals strangled by plastic waste often die from suffocation, infection, or starvation.

Microplastics Are Everywhere

- Tiny plastic fragments (microplastics) are now found in fish, salt, and even drinking water.
- Humans unknowingly consume microplastics, which could have long-term health consequences.

The ocean, once a sanctuary of life, is becoming a graveyard due to human neglect.

The Cost of Contamination

Beyond the devastating impact on marine life, ocean pollution carries enormous economic costs and puts human lives at risk. Fisheries collapse due to contaminated waters, coastal tourism declines, and communities that rely on the sea for survival find their way of life threatened.

Additionally, the ocean plays a critical role in regulating the Earth’s temperature. As Earth becomes increasingly polluted, its ability to absorb carbon dioxide diminishes, accelerating climate change and leading to more extreme weather events.

Effect on Human Health

As the direct beneficiaries of a healthy planet with healthy oceans, we are the ones who will pay the price when we pollute the sea, poison our food, our air, and our future.

Tiny plastic particles, toxic chemicals, and abandoned fishing gear infiltrate marine ecosystems, making their way into the fish we eat. Research has shown that omega 3 fatty acids are necessary for our health.

A good source for omega 3 would be fatty, oily fish like salmon. For instance, Omega 3 is important for a baby’s fetal growth and development, particularly for the eyes, heart and brain, but pregnant women are advised more and more often to avoid certain fish during pregnancy because of high levels of mercury.

The interest of researchers in mercury toxicity is not surprising since the main source of exposure of human populations to mercury is fish consumption, which has a global importance as a protein source.

Our Emotional Relationship with the Ocean

Being near water boosts happiness, being immersed in it may be even more powerful. The effect is akin to that of meditation, Wallace J. Nichols reports in Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do.

Our brains are amazing in the way they are able to quickly respond – simply looking at water changes our brain wave frequency, putting us in a more meditative state and calming our nervous system.

There’s something about water that draws and fascinates us. No wonder: it’s the most omnipresent substance on Earth and, along with air, the primary ingredient for supporting life as we know it.

How Can We Protect our Oceans: By Taking Responsibility

The solution begins with awareness and action and respect for all of Nature. Every small change we make contributes to a larger movement of preservation and restoration fostering our wellbeing.

Reduce Plastic Consumption: Opt for reusable bags, bottles, and straws. Avoid single-use plastics that inevitably end up in the ocean.
Dispose of Waste Responsibly: Recycle properly and ensure that trash is discarded in designated areas, not left to be swept into waterways.
Support Sustainable Fishing: Overfishing depletes marine populations and disrupts ecosystems. Choosing sustainably sourced seafood helps maintain balance in the ocean.
Participate in Cleanup Efforts: Beach clean-ups and conservation initiatives help remove harmful waste and raise awareness.
Advocate for Change: Support organizations and policies that prioritize ocean conservation and hold industries accountable for pollution.
Minimise water use

About the Author

Evelyn Brey, B.Sc.Ost.Med., is a certified Kinesiologist, Brain Gym Instructor, Member of the Board Brain Gym Austria, and the founder of Smart Moves X. With over 20 years of experience and extensive qualifications across a range of Kinesiology and other natural health modalities, Evelyn is passionate about helping her clients overcome their emotional, mental, physical, nutritional and energetic challenges to achieve their goals.

DISCLAIMER

This site offers health, wellness, and movement information and is designed for educational purposes only. This site is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content is designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment.

Please seek professional care if you believe you may have a medical condition.

References

pmc.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/articles/PMC8276940