Spiritus Stories: Fostering a thriving habitat for marine life

A Small Step matters for the Ocean

Our Spiritus team’s Coastal Cleanup Volunteer Experience

Recently, our team had the opportunity to take part in a beach clean-up volunteer activity. It was more than just picking up trash, but it became a powerful reminder of much impact we have on our environment, and how much responsibility we carry.

The coastline we worked on is known for its beautiful views and sites for camping, but beneath the surface, there was a troubling reality. Fishing nets, plastic bottles, foam pieces, and other debris were scattered along the sand and wedged between rocks. Some trash was even buried beneath the surface, showing just how long it had been there.

Wearing gloves and armed with trash bags and tongs, we began the cleanup. The most difficult part was removing abandoned fishing nets. They were heavy and entangled around rocks and seaweed — and in some cases, we saw signs that marine animals had once been caught in them. That was heartbreaking.

The Long-Term Impact of Marine Debris and Discarded Fishing Nets
Through this experience, I learned how serious the consequences of marine debris, especially fishing gear, can be. Here are just a few of the long-term effects:

• Ghost Fishing
  Abandoned fishing nets continue to trap marine life, a phenomenon known as “ghost fishing.” Fish, sea turtles, and seabirds often get caught in these nets and die. This disrupts the entire food chain and threatens biodiversity.

• Injuries and Death to Marine Animals
  Many sea creatures suffer injuries or die after becoming entangled in plastic or nets. Sea turtles, for example, often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and eat them, leading to internal blockages and starvation.

• Microplastic Pollution
  Over time, larger plastic waste breaks down into microplastics — tiny particles that are almost impossible to clean up. These enter the food chain, starting with plankton and moving up to fish, birds, and even humans.

• Destruction of Marine Ecosystems
  Trash can smother coral reefs and seagrass beds, destroying critical habitats for countless marine species. This makes it harder for marine animals to find food, reproduce, or survive.

Small Actions, Big Impact

One of the biggest lessons I learned from this activity is that even one piece of trash, carelessly thrown away, can harm many living things. That’s why I plan to continue participating in beach cleanups and making more environmentally conscious choices in my daily life, like reducing plastic use and spreading awareness.

The ocean is a precious part of our planet that we all share. While the damage can seem overwhelming, small actions by many people can create real change. Let’s protect the ocean, one step at a time.