Unep warns of plastic bag, bottle threat to marine life

By Peter Orengo

Discarded fishing gear, plastic bags and cigarette butts form a growing tide of marine litter worldwide, says a new report.

Consequently, the United Nations Environmental Programme (Unep) has called for a ban on thin film plastic bags.

In the report, Marine Litter: A Global Challenge, launched on Monday, UN Under-Secretary General and Unep Executive Director Achim Steiner, said: "Some of the litter, like thin film single use plastic bags, which choke marine life, should be banned or phased out. There is no justification for manufacturing them anywhere."

He suggested that plastic bags, bottles and other debris choking up oceans and seas be reduced through improved waste reduction, management and recycling.

"Other waste can be cut by boosting public awareness and proposing economic incentives and smart market mechanisms that tip the balance in favour of recycling," Dr Steiner said.

The report, the first ever attempt to take stock of marine litter in 12 major seas, was launched on World Oceans Day.

Alarming amounts

It indicates that despite several international, regional and national efforts to check marine pollution, alarming quantities of rubbish in seas, continue to endanger people’s safety and health, entrap wildlife, damage nautical equipment and deface coastal areas.

"This report is a reminder that carelessness and indifference is proving deadly for our oceans and their inhabitants," says Mr Philippe Cousteau, CEO, Earth Echo International.

The report disclosed that plastics and cigarette butts, top the ‘Top Ten’ list of marine debris.

They are also the most pervasive type of marine litter, accounting for more than 80 per cent of all rubbish in the assessed seas.

The two break down into tiny pieces that can be consumed by small marine life at the base of the food web.

The report says, the items can be mistaken for food by many animals, including mammals, birds, fish and turtles.

Sea turtles in particular may confuse floating plastic bags with jellyfish, one of their favourite foods.

Plastics also collect toxic compounds that then can get into the bodies of organisms eating them.