A shocking 5 miles long "blanket of plastic" was discovered on the sea, off the coast of an idyllic Caribbean island, and is choking wildlife.

Plastic is all around us, and maybe you use it daily. Though it's a cheap product, this human-made material is continuously ruining our beautiful planet. The images captured by Caroline Power off the Honduran island reveal just how these plastics are wreaking havoc in our environment.

The underwater photographer recently came across a scene that shocked and devastated her, a "blanket of plastic waste" material miles wide floating off her previously pristine island home.

Power discovered this "Great Caribbean Garbage Patch" about 15 miles from the tiny 12-mile-long island of Roatan, a place which has often been described as resembling "paradise."

In an interview with The Telegram, she said:

"We were on a dive trip to a set of islands that don't quite break the ocean surface. They are one of the most pristine dive sites in this part of the Caribbean."

Power, who has dedicated her career to increasing awareness about the "plastic problem," said that her dive team passed through floating garbage for "nearly five miles."

She continued:

"Everywhere we looked, plastic bags of all shapes and sizes: chip bags, zip locks, grocery, trash, snack bags, and another packaging. Some were whole, and the rest were just pieces."

At one point, the team reached an even denser area "about two miles wide that had multiple trash lines that stretched from horizon to horizon."

She and her team saw plastic bags of all shapes and sizes, including chip bags, zip locks, grocery, trash, and snack bags (some were whole and the rest in pieces).

Power reported seeing an infinite number of plastic forks, spoons, and plates. There were also "broken soccer balls, toothbrushes, a tv, and so many shoes and flip flops."

According to the Blue Planet Society, a non-profit organization working to end the ocean's exploitation, the images as "unbelievable." They said the garbage probably came from the Motagua River in Guatemala, washing into the sea during heavy rains.

Powers acknowledged that when plastic material ends up in the ocean as trash, it's challenging and costly to remove. She insisted people be educated on how to manage these wastes.

She said:

"There is a lack of infrastructure and education, so many people either burn trash or throw it into rivers. This is a developed nation (first world) problem as well."

"We need to improve waste management, environmental education, and recycling facilities on a global scale."