How Do We Clean Up the Sea?

I saw an online story about twenty million tons of debris from the Japanese tsunami heading towards the western coast of the US. I've also seen news pieces on a swirling mass of trash as big as the continental US in the South Pacific. The B. P. oil volcano and follow up toxins continue to cause death and health issues in the Gulf region. It seems we have this illusion of somehow our garbage magically disappearing once we send it off in a barge or toss it into the waters. We are a messy species.

So, how do we clean up our mess? It's a good question. I guess it would have to start with educating followed by strict international laws and finally getting our butts in gear and coming up with specific ways to clean up. We owe it to the sea and ourselves. In the end the Merworld will thank us.