1. The problem is NOT that the plastic is on the surface. That is why we can’t visually see an “island”, as it’s called. It swirls below the surface where it does come in contact with marine life.
2. Yes, marine life DOES ingest it. They don’t eat a rock-sized piece of plastic. They eat it after the salt water breaks it down into small plankton size pieces. This eventually blocks their intestines because plastic does not get digested. Animals will spit out rocks. Weak argument. Coral reef is actually a natural inhabitant of the some bodies of water. Most animals don’t eat it because they know it’s not their food source. Do you eat trees outside your back door just because they are part of your environment?
3. How did the turtle get the plastic ring around it’s body?… seriously? If you need it explained, it got caught around its body when it was small enough to have it fit around its shell. As it grew, the shell was constricted by the plastic ring. Ever seen how trees, as they grow, will grow around or into something that inhibits its growth. Same theory. And yes, I believe children would understand the damage that is being done if they see the consequence on that poor turtle.
4. Turtles entangled in kelp? Are you serious about that one too. Last time I checked kelp was a naturally occurring vegetation, not plastic trash that we can PREVENT!!!
I answered your questions. Case closed.

Or perhaps we can get a really big net and collect all of it. After which we can put it into a rocket and shoot it into space.

And I would give animals more credit for distinguishing between food and non-food sources. I mean if the posts above are true, it is a great wonder why more marine animals don’t die from eating rocks and and other natural, non-food objects, that are in the ocean. I have never heard of a dolphin dying from eating to much coral reef.

As a final thought, how do you know that kids would be affected by the poor turtle? What happen to Darwin’s Theory relating to the survival of the fittest?
I challenge any one of you to give me the true story as how that turtle got that plastic around his body?
If no one knows than I will have to assume that this was an especially stupid turtle that if it died, it is better for all the turtle’s of the world that it’s DNA has been removed from the gene pool.

Who wants stupid turtles that get stuck in plastic? How many turtles have been entangled in kelp and died a slow painful death? Show me some pictures and I may advocate removing all the kelp from the ocean.