The oceans may be vast but there very little left that has not been harmed by humanity

Humanity's presence is now felt the world over - even in our deepest oceans. Of the 2/3 of the Earth's surface covered by ocean, only 4% remains unaffected by human actions. These actions include pollution, over-fishing, and climate change. The earth's oceans are in a sorry state and likely to get worse unless we change the ways that we are exploiting the oceans.

Take a look at this article on the BBC and the map of the world's oceans and which areas have been most impacted by human civilization.

On top of that the ABC is reporting on the "great north Pacific plastic soup". Ocean currents are causing the masses of plastic bags and floating detritus to gather in an enormous swirling area in the north Pacific off the coast of California. Those who have seen it have been shocked by its enormity. And scientists believe that because large areas of ocean are not often traversed by ships that there could be other similar plastic soups gathering in the world's oceans. Chilean scientists have received early reports of a similar plastic soup in the Southern Pacific near Antarctica.