Larger items, like shoes, plastic bags, and fishing nets, are also mixed in with small pieces of plastic. Debris trapped in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is harmful to marine life. … In turn, the plastic can hurt, starve, or suffocate the turtle. Imagine inhaling a piece of a plastic bag and getting it trapped.

What is the biggest problem with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

Strong ocean currents carry marine debris into the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Once there, the trash builds up over time. Plastics are the biggest problem.

Why should we care about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and plastic pollution generally, is killing marine life. 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals are affected every year, as well as many other species. … If these plastics make their way up the food chain and into our bodies, there are concerns over potential health implications.