Describe the sources of marine debris and explain why it is a problem with global origins.

Marine debris today is mainly man made items (mostly plastic) that find its way out to sea. Improper disposal of garbage enables the materials to travel very far in any ecosystem once mobile. Plastics take centuries to decompose and so will be around for a long time. Ocean currents make it possible for materials from different countries to end up in others. For example, one product that is only manufactured and sold in Jamaica has bottles being washed up in Honduras and other Central and South American countries.