There are hundreds of species living in the ocean and throughout the surrounding coastland. Many birds, for example, live by the ocean due to the fact that their diet consists mainly of fish and other marine animals. In this day, however, this habitat is slowly being impaired due to a number of factors pertaining to humans and their lifestyle. Oil spills, littering and expansion of businesses and industries may all be factors that attribute to the reduction of marine and coastal life throughout the world, and the destruction of the habitat these species live in.
Oil spills are a prominent problem throughout the world today. Oil spills occur due to a number of reasons. Misuse of oil tankers and oil pipes in and close to the ocean attribute to these spills; for example, the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 was responsible for hundreds of thousands of animal deaths due to approximately 11 million US Gallons of oil leaking into the Prince William Sound. It is approximated that the cleanup of the shoreline habitat may take up to 30 years. Additionally, storm drains may collect significant amounts of oil, transporting it to oceans and thus poisoning and suffocating aquatic and coastal organisms. This demonstrates the severe consequences oil spills may cause for marine and coastal life throughout the world.
Littering may also contribute to a reduced number of species in the ocean and surrounding coastland of a specific area. For example; beaches and coastal regions that are popular tourist sites may become highly littered from individuals visiting during the summer season. Birds and fish may attempt to feed on waste products, such as food packages, can holders and Styrofoam containers. These may contain chemicals that are toxic to these animals, and can holders may be harmful to land animals and birds due to the fact that they may be suffocated in their attempts to consume these unnatural objects.
Another hugely significant aspect that may cause damage coastal and sea life is the expansion of businesses and industries. For example, many hotel chains are being built in coastal regions due to the appeal of beaches and the summer lifestyle. Many people, however, do not realise that these areas are also home to many different animals and life forms. Stripping these areas of life to build hotels, restaurants and to expand businesses or industries destroys habitats that certain species need to survive.