The discussion on plastic bags and the enviroment has reminded me that the
Victorian Scientific Advisory Committee has made a recommendation to list
the following item as a 'potentially threatening process' under the Flora
and Fauna Guarantee Act.
'The discharge of human-generated marine debris into Victorian marine or
estuarine waters'. (nomination no. 549).
Marine debris is defined as:
'Marine debris is the solid, human-made rubbish that is discarded at sea or
ends up in the sea after being disposed of on land. This can be many items
but a large proportion is often discarded fishing gear. Lost and discarded
fishing gear can harm and kill wildlife, pollute beaches and be hazardous
to ships and divers. Fishing gear can harm and kill marine animals by
entanglement or by ingestion. Entangled animals can drown, be fatally or
seriously wounded, or have reduced ability to catch food, travel or avoid
predators. Ingested material can block and damage digestive tracts and
reduce feeding. There are many ways that rubbish can enter the sea'
All surveys of marine debris around the world indicate that plastic is the
main component. Of all the litter items recorded by 'Clean Up Australia'
in 1993 (Clean Up Australia 1993), almost 50% was plastic.
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Plastic bags of course make up part of this marine debris. The short
report mentions over 100 species of , mainly pelagic, seabirds that are
likely to be affected by marine debris.
I have copies of the Recommendation Report on this item for those
interested (as a pdf file). I can also send it via Aust. Post if required.
Please contact me directly.
cheers
Martin O'Brien
Executive Scientific Officer, Scientific Advisory Committee
Department of Sustainability and Environment
4/250 Victoria Pde., East Melbourne 3002
Tel: 9412 4567 Fax: 9412 4586
(prefixes: Interstate 03 International 613)
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