This is a must read for everyone, I've clipped this problem before, but it just gets worse.
Read the full article, it's scary, but there is some hope.

It's not all floating plastic, either. There's a hugemass of small particles that are submerged up to 70 ft. Hard to gather and clean up.

It is scary,people should take more responsibility,

The question is how?
Cople of things that can be done is
1) Do not but items in plastic bottles where refills are available. Disposed plastic will reduce.
2) Do not use plastic cups for coffee, water etc. Carry your own glass or metal tumbler and use it to collect water from taps and vendng machines.
3) There are many green websites that give tips about reducing plastic use. Visit them to get practical ideas.
4) Now that domain names are opening up, there should be a top level domain for environment protection where all such 'green' websites can gather.

I agree with those suggestions, the last would be especially valuable.