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The Plastic Pollution Crisis in Midway Atoll

Pollution Prevention Organization

(Marine Debris Art, 2011; D’Angelo, 2016)

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Table of Contents

Abstract ...........................................................................................................................................2

The Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Midway Atoll and its Animals ..........................................3
Marine Debris Effects on Laysan Albatross ................................................................................3
Marine Debris in North Pacific Ocean .........................................................................................4

How Humans Can Stop Polluting the Planet and its Oceans ....................................................4
Helpful Ways to Properly Prevent Plastic Pollution ....................................................................4
Boat Designed to Collect Ocean Waste .......................................................................................5

Imposed Actions Will Urge the Uninformed to Properly Dispose Trash ..................................6
Enforced Actions on Americans ..................................................................................................6
How Americans Need to Respond ...............................................................................................6

Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................7

References ............................................................................................................................... 8 & 9

Table of Figures

Fig. 1 ............................................................................................................................................2
Fig. 2 ............................................................................................................................................3
Fig. 3............................................................................................................................................5
Fig. 4............................................................................................................................................6
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Abstract
Since the year 1907, plastic has been used for helpful objects, tools, and other materials (“The
Age of Plastic: From Parkesine to Pollution”, 2019). Since then, humans (in this case,
Americans) have used plastic in various forms to fit their everyday needs. Some examples
include razors, laundry detergent bottles, food containers, straws, etc. At first, plastic was not a
big pollution issue for the planet, but as time has evolved, it has slowly eaten away at our land,
oceans, and animals. Midway Atoll, “located on the far northern end of the Hawaiian
archipelago,” has become a hotspot for plastic pollution (Midway Atoll National Wildlife
Refuge).
The area contains three different islands: Sand Island, Eastern Island, and Spit Island.
Surrounding the islands is the North Pacific Ocean, which carries an abundance of garbage.
Animals, such as the Laysan albatross bird, do not recognize the plastic and assume it is okay to
consume. Once the birds die, they leave the plastic debris on the three islands. This has spawned
a major issue in their species and the “birds face several threats at sea” (Piatt, 387). Other
animals too are faced with health problems due to consumption of plastic materials.
Humans have unfortunately caused this drastic issue on Earth, but they can also put a stop to it.
By following helpful steps on how to properly dispose garbage and recycled items, there will be
a reduction in the amount of plastic in our oceans and on land. Sailboats, such as “The Manta,”
which is “designed to combat plastic pollution,” can clean our oceans in hopes of saving marine
life and the world (The Sea Cleaners). Three larger boats are being made to combat the pollution
in the North Pacific as well. Not only are these boats beneficial for wildlife, we as humans also
need to work towards a common goal. Once correctly educated on the risks of debris, humans
(Americans) can execute different tasks that will start to heal our planet. Although these tasks
will take time to properly execute, this will certainly be an impactful step in the right direction.

Figure 1. Dead Laysan albatrosses on Midway Atoll Island with plastic in corpse
stomach lining. (Voice of America, E. N., 2019).
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The Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Midway Atoll and its Animals

Marine Debris Effects on Laysan Albatross

Plastic pollution started to take over the Midway Atoll islands when the Laysan albatross
collected it from the ocean to give to their chicks. “Each year, approximately 10,000 pounds of
plastics are brought to Midway not by currents or wind, but in the stomachs of the birds
themselves” (Mallos, 2013). Since the species is unable to tell the difference between plastic and
food, this has become a horrible reoccurrence for many years. With a population of around 92
people, Sand Island has four different sites that help monitor and follow the protocol of “the
National Marine Debris Monitoring Program” (Ribic, 2012). Luckily, these sites with volunteers
help the land and marine animals by monitoring the debris. Plastic comes in various forms, by
the time they reach the ocean, they have decayed or broken into smaller pieces, making it easier
for consumption for animals.

When on land, most debris either stays in the sand, or is pushed back out in tides, storms, and
waves. This repetitive cycle makes it a challenge for humans because plastic is consistently being
poured into the ocean on a regular basis. The animals in Midway Atoll have it harder than most
because of the little to no presence of human life. Because there is a small amount of civilization
on the three islands, most animals, especially the Laysan albatross, are not watched and
prevented from eating plastic. “Modern threats at sea include contamination with organochlorine,
heavy metal and oil pollution, ingestion, plastic debris,” and more (Piatt, 387). Animals like
these are not intelligent enough to know the risks of what they are doing; mothers who feed their
chicks do not understand the horrific choices they are making which is causing a decline in their
population.

Figure 2. Laysan albatross feeding their chick plastic. (World

Migratory Bird Day, 2019).
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Marine Debris in North Pacific Ocean

Due to the circulation of water in the North Pacific, there is a continuous cycle of plastic
pollution, also known as marine debris, that flows constantly. As humans continue to pollute the
oceans, there is an add-on of plastic that threatens our waters. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch,
which is still forming as we know it, is centered between a variety of currents causing a massive
buildup of trash weighing about “80,000 tons” (The Ocean Cleanup). There is also a Western
Garbage Patch which is another trash filled cyclone in the ocean that the Laysan albatross
gathers its trash from. The North Pacific has taken on so much landfill that this is causing severe
effects on coral reefs and the purity of the water.
Fishermen who capture animals in these waters sometimes illegally leave their belongings in the
ocean, causing deaths in sea life. These have “been shown to have negative effects on organisms
in the North Pacific, for example, sea turtles, coral reefs, seabirds, and Hawaiian monk seals”
(Howell, 2012). Microplastics in the ocean cause a blockage of sunlight which prevents the rays
“from reaching plankton and algae below” (National Geographic). Now more than ever it is very
important to get the proper help our oceans need. Marine debris has made a major impact in the
North Pacific and unfortunately is ruining Midway Atoll as we know it.

How Humans Can Stop Polluting the Planet and its Oceans

Helpful Ways to Properly Prevent Plastic Pollution

Although it may seem nearly impossible, there are certainly some positive actions humans can
take to prevent plastic from reaching the ocean and affecting Midway Atoll. People like to
purchase products in stores that are easily “disposable,” but to what cost? Some examples
include razors, laundry detergent bottles, straws, cigarette lighters, and more. These everyday
materials that so many people use are extremely toxic and harmful to the planet. Some basic
solutions that can prevent pollution are properly recycling, buying reusable products, and simply
not littering. Other tasks that professionals can take on is preventing “plastics from entering
waterways” (Daly, 2020).
Many people think they know what it means to recycle, but in this day in age, the rules may have
changed without us being aware. Paper, glass, metal, cardboard, and aluminum/steel/tin cans can
be recycled. One myth we have all been told is that it is okay to recycle plastic, but this is not
true. “In reality, only 9% of all plastic in use worldwide is recycled, and the majority of this
recycled plastic is of inferior quality” (Plastic Soup Foundation). It is smarter to throw away
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plastic in a garbage can rather than a recycling bin. This simple change in life can ultimately
make a greater impact on our world because we at least know where our plastic is going.

Figure 3. How much plastic is being recycled (only 100m of 16600m).

(Google Images, 2019).

Boat Designed to Collect Ocean Waste

As plastic pollution has worsened over the last century, recently, different eco-friendly
companies have found ways to clean marine debris out of the ocean. Some have teams that
venture into the ocean and manually remove trash and debris from the waters. Others, like The
SeaCleaners “The Manta” boat, is a highly affective 56-metre-long sailboat that removes ocean
waste at a fast rate. This boat holds three nets that each catch debris in the waters and help clean
the ocean efficiently (Fig. 4). Our company, Pollution Prevention Organization, has made three
similar boats each around 2x the size of “The Manta” named “The Clean Queen, The Green
King, and The Pure Princess.”
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Our boats are not only longer and wider, but the four nets that collect waste are robotic, powered
by solar energy. The functions move the debris into a different cabin of the boat that then
squishes and collapses the trash, making more room for caught waste. Our design will be safe for
marine life, with sensors and radars that detect animals beneath and around the boats. These
multipurpose boats will help create cleaner oceans, protect wildlife, and will not emit any toxic
fumes or gases into the water.

Figure 4. The SeaCleaners “The Manta” sailboat. (The SeaCleaners, 2023).

Imposed Actions Will Urge the Uniformed to Properly Dispose Trash

Enforced Actions on Americans

For our company to properly produce and execute our three helpful ships, people need to be on
board with our eco-friendly tasks. As stated before, there are various steps in moving our planet’s
health in the right direction. Recycling properly, buying reusable products, picking up trash, and
not littering, will ultimately make a great impact for the better. Senators across the country
(mainly on the coastlines), have been in touch with us on enforcing these tasks for their civilians.

How Americans Need to Respond

In order for this effective plan to be put in place, we need the people to recognize the severe
impacts of plastic pollution in our oceans and on Midway Atoll. By listening to other stories, and
thoroughly understanding the process of cleaning the planet, we as humans can make a big
difference on Earth and for our future generations.
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Conclusion

The abundance of plastic and the impact it has made on the North Pacific Ocean and the three
Midway Atoll islands needs to be put to an end. The Laysan albatross species is slowly going
into extinction due to their exposure to marine debris and ocean waste. By consuming harmful
pieces of plastic, their species will soon die out. Collection of these materials in the waters is the
main cause of their deaths. The North Pacific is negatively affected by plastic pollution, and it is
now blocking sunrays from reaching the seafloor. This blockage is limiting algae and plankton
from doing their jobs.
As a society, we can change how plastic is impacting our planet; by putting effective orders into
place, Americans can join a helpful journey that will change the exposure of plastic pollution on
our planet. Our three boats, “The Clean Queen, The Green King, and The Pure Princess,” will
also begin to help the North Pacific and will soon remove such debris from our waters.
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References

The age of plastic: From Parkesine to pollution. Science Museum. (2019, October 11).
https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/chemistry/age-plastic-parkesine-
pollution#:~:text=Belgian%20chemist%20and%20clever%20marketeer,phenol%2C%20un
der%20heat%20and%20pressure

N/A. (2023). Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. FWS.gov.

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/midway-
atoll#:~:text=Located%20on%20the%20far%20northern,the%20Papah%C4%81naumoku
%C4%81kea%20Marine%20National%20Monument

Piatt, J., Wetzel, J., Bell, K., DeGange, A., Balogh, G., Drew, G., Geernaert, T., Ladd, C., &
Byrd, G. (2006, May 2). Predictable hotspots and foraging habitat of the endangered
short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria Albatrus) in the North Pacific: Implications for
conservation. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967064506000348

Plomb, E. (2023). The manta, a boat for the protection of the oceans, and designed to protect
Marine Biodiversity. The SeaCleaners. https://www.theseacleaners.org/news/the-manta-a-
boat-for-the-protection-of-the-oceans-and-designed-to-protect-marine-biodiversity/

Mallos, N. (2013, September 12). “midway” film Answers plastic pollution question “why
care?” Ocean Conservancy. https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2013/09/12/midway-film-
answers-plastic-pollution-question-why-care/

Ribic, C., Sheavly, S., & Klavitter, J. (2012, May 8). Baseline for beached marine debris on
Sand Island, Midway Atoll. Marine Pollution Bulletin.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X12001531

N/A. (2023). The Great Pacific Garbage Patch • The Ocean Cleanup. The Ocean Cleanup.
https://theoceancleanup.com/great-pacific-garbage-
patch/#:~:text=TOTAL%20MASS%20AND%20COUNT&text=The%20mass%20of%20t
he%20plastic,that%20of%20500%20Jumbo%20Jets

Howell, E., Bograd, S., Morishige, C., Seki, M., & Polovina, J. (2011, May 17). On North
Pacific circulation and associated marine debris concentration. Marine Pollution Bulletin.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X11002372

National Geographic. (2023). Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Education.

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/great-pacific-garbage-patch/

Schmaltz, E., Melvin, E., Diana, Z., Gunady, E., Rittschof, D., Somarelli, J., Virdin, J., &
Dunphy-Daly, M. (2020, September 2). Plastic pollution solutions: Emerging technologies
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to prevent and collect marine plastic pollution. Environment International.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020320225

N/A. (2020, May 1). The process of recycling plastic is a myth. Plastic Soup Foundation.
https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/en/plastic-problem/bogus-solutions/recycling-
myth/?gclid=CjwKCAiA3aeqBhBzEiwAxFiOBtUZbaKBj6vonc0Vf3E37DzWIAot3UIEZ
pjyC2W4ttZa8sdDcS4w4BoCFCYQAvD_BwE