Ocean Explorers are more connected to the Marine Ecosystem than almost all people. All of us spend endless hours every day on Reefs, Wrecks, Caverns, Fishing and enjoying water sports. We are the closest to the most delicate parts of the Ocean – Reefs and Kelp Beds. With increased ultraviolet radiation from depletion of the Earth’s Ozone layer and increased temperatures from Global Warming, the need for skin protection is even higher today. This results in the application of more sunscreen more often. Sunscreen and other human hygiene products can indeed cause significant harm to marine life. Here’s how this affects our Oceans:
- Chemical Pollution: Sunscreens often contain chemicals that are toxic to marine life. When people swim or shower, these chemicals can wash off and enter our waterways.
- Impact on Marine Life: These chemicals can have various harmful effects on different marine species:
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- Green Algae, Kelp, etc.: Impairment of growth and reduced photosynthesis = Lower Oxygen production (>50% of the planets oxygen supply comes from the ocean)
- Coral and Invertebrates: Accumulation in tissues, which can induce bleaching, damage DNA (reduced growth), deform young, and even kill!
- Mussels, Oysters, Clams (Shellfish), Sea Urchins: Induction of defects in young and reduced reproduction.
- Fish (Sharks are fish): Decrease in fertility and reproduction and cause female characteristics in male fish to promote more egg-laying responses.
- Dolphins, Whales, Manatees (Marine Mammals): Accumulation in tissue and transfer to young.
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- Hazardous Chemicals: Some of the harmful chemicals commonly found in sunscreens include:
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- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Octocrylene
- Homosalate
- 4-methylbenzylidene camphor
- PABA
- Parabens
- Triclosan
- Any nanoparticles or “nano-sized” zinc or titanium (if it doesn’t explicitly say “micro-sized” or “non-nano” and it can rub in, it’s probably nano-sized)
- Any form of microplastic, such as “exfoliating beads”
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Check the label! Make sure your sunscreen does not contain these harmful substances on the “HEL list”.
- Quantity: It’s estimated that up to 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in coral reef areas each year. In the northern Mediterranean alone, 20,000 tons of sunscreen is estimated to be washed off tourists every year.
- Legislation: Some regions have started to act against this issue. For instance, Hawaii banned the UV filters oxybenzone and octinoxate from January 2021, and in 2018 Palau announced broader restrictions on sunscreens containing several chemicals.
To protect marine life, it’s recommended to use sunscreens and personal hygiene products without these harmful chemicals, seek shade between 10 am & 2 pm to avoid needing Sunscreen, and use Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) sun wear and dive skins (which can be expressive, sexy, and trendy with incredible advertising opportunities 😊)
To recap, here’s what makes a truly legal reef-safe sunscreen:
- No oxybenzone, octinoxate or octocrylene
- Particle size above 100 nanometers
In 2018, Hawaii passed the first ever statewide ban on oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreens, soon after, island nations including Palau, Bonaire, Aruba and the US Virgin Islands followed suite. Due to widespread community support, the Florida Keys were also able to pass an oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreen ban in Key West.
The Bad Sunscreens
The Good Sunscreens
Does the increasing population also affect the health of our Oceans and Seas?
Absolutely, the expanding human population has significant consequences for our oceans. Little known fact, the human population has grown from 4.5 billion in 1965 to almost 8.0 billion in 2023. More humans = more food. This also requires more produce, livestock, and seafood. This results in more agricultural runoff with toxic fertilizers and animal waste. Consequently, this results in a higher demand for Oxygen to support the increased plant and animal populations that support our food demand. To exacerbate the problem for our “Water World”, nearly 90% of the human population live on or very near a water supply (Ocean, Lake, River). Most waste is deposited into the water system to get it away from “my house”. All these sources of pollution will eventually end up in our Ocean and water tables.
Here are 5 more additional impacts directly affecting our Oceans:
- Increased Demand for Resources: As the human population grows, so does the demand for marine resources. This includes not only fish but also other marine products like shellfish and seaweed. All critical to the Marine Ecosystem balance.
- Coastal Development: Increased population often leads to increased development along coastlines. This can result in the destruction of important habitats like mangroves and coral reefs.
- Marine Debris: More people can lead to more trash, much of which ends up in our oceans. Plastics are of particular concern as they do not biodegrade and can harm marine life.
- Invasive Species: Increased shipping and travel can lead to the introduction of non-native species to new areas. These invasive species can outcompete native species and disrupt ecosystems.
- Ocean Acidification: Increased carbon dioxide emissions from a growing population can lead to ocean acidification, which can harm shell-forming animals and coral reefs.
In summary, the growing human population exerts immense pressure on the oceans, affecting marine biodiversity, fisheries, and overall ecosystem health. Addressing these challenges requires sustainable practices, conservation efforts, and global awareness. It’s crucial that we act now to protect our oceans for future generations.
Summers in Paradise LLC is committed to educating divers, swimmers and vacationers taking their “Journeys to Make Memories of a Lifetime” to make a small difference in protecting the Oceans that supports our lives and livelihood. To achieve the goal of walking a million miles, you must take that first step. No matter how small the individual contribution, a combined commitment will result in a big change.
Donya and Tanna (CEO)