The oceans must be protected because it is where life began and if they are not taken care of, life as we know it will end. When hazardous substances are released into the ocean, ecosystems suffer and are put at risk, as are the lives of people and marine life. Surfrider Foundation recognizes the importance of protecting and preserving the quality and biodiversity of the world's coasts because they are truly irreplaceable. There is also historical evidence of ocean pollution, but the problem still persists today. Heal the Bay discovered: “Did you know there is a DDT and PCB hot spot off the coast of Palos Verdes? This superfund site (which indicates that it is one of the most polluted places in the United States) is a remnant of a chemical plant from the 1930s. Because DDT takes a very long time to break down in the marine environment, it still persists today, contaminating certain species of fish. There is also heavily polluted sediment in the Long Beach area, a sign of heavy shipping in the harbor. Heal the Bay is working to develop effective recovery and disposal plans to prevent these toxins from spreading” (Heal the Bay). DDT is still highly concentrated in the South Bay region and continues to contaminate different species of fish. Even after more than 80 years, DDT, a toxic insecticide, is still very concentrated and during upwelling, DDT particles rise and continue to harm marine life. If humans are not careful about what is thrown on the ground or sprayed on lawns, it can have disastrous effects on the state of ocean ecosystems and put life itself at risk, leading to a problem that only we we can solve. can serve human purposes for many different people; such as a school, a house, a park... middle of paper ... human-caused debris loads constitute the largest source of marine debris in the world's oceans (nearly 80%). » Plastic Debris Rivers to Sea Project. Np, nd Web. March 16, 2014. Murray, Dana. “Heal the Bay.” Local Sea Stars Under Siege, December 9, 2013. Web. Catherine. "LA kicks off 2014 with its new plastic bag ban." Los Angeles Times, December 31, 2013. Web, March 14, 2014. Surfrider Foundation. Surfrider Foundation." BLUE WATER TASK FORCE | Surfrider Foundation. Surfrider Foundation, nd Web. March 15, 2014. Surfrider Foundation. Blue Water Task Force. San Clemente: Surfrider Foundation, 2012. PDF. Surfrider Foundation. "Ocean Friendly Gardens." Surfrider Foundation. Surfrider Foundation, nd Web March 15, 2014. “What YOU can do to prevent NPS pollution” Home EPA, nd Web... 2014.