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I guess it depends on what press you read. I hear tons of stuff about this
issue here in the US.
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> REPLIES WILL BE SENT TO THE FISH-SCI LIST
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>
> Hi,
>
> Dangers from plastics in rivers and the sea do get some press coverage in
> Austria and Germany. However, this was the first time I heard about
> biodegradable plastics being harmful.
>
> best wishes, Irene
>
> On Do, 2.10.2014, 11:48, Magnus Johnson wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I don’t quite understand why this doesn’t get more press. I have a
>> postgraduate working on plastic particles, their ability to absorb
>> persistent organic pollutants and likely effects on mussels. When I
>> have
>> examined the stomachs of lobsters I have found them to be full of nylon
>> fibres they have nibbled off lobster pots.
>>
>> The issue could be a basis for a decent H2020 application. Any
>> interest?
>>
>> Cheers, Magnus
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Scientific forum on fish and fisheries
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Irene Zweimüller
>> Sent: 02 October 2014 10:39
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: [Fwd: Plastics and rubbish drowning Greek ecosystems]
>>
>>><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
>> REPLIES WILL BE SENT TO THE FISH-SCI LIST <>< <>< <>< <><
>> <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
>>
>> Dear all,
>>
>> I´m forwarding this mail coming from a group of greek marinebiologists,
>> as
>> it may be interesting. At least I was not aware of the dangers of
>> biodegradeable plastic (7th paragraph in the mail).
>>
>> best wishes
>> Irene
>>
>> ------------------------ Ursprüngliche Nachricht
>> ------------------------
>> Betreff: Plastics and rubbish drowning Greek ecosystems
>> Von: "Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation"
>> <[log in to unmask]>
>> Datum: Do, 2.10.2014, 10:40
>> An: [log in to unmask]
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Plastics and rubbish drowning Greek ecosystems ==========
>>
>> The first autumn rains initiated a destructive journey of tons of
>> plastic
>> and other debris, which had mostly been accumulating on the roadsides
>> throughout Greece, towards the sea.
>>
>> For many months, this garbage was "waiting" for the local authorities or
>> communities to act, for their collection, with no response!
>>
>> It is unfortunate to see such a large part of the public impassively
>> contributing to the great presence of waste via their everyday life.
>> **Only a few are aware that plastic is highly dangerous as it degrades
>> into our environment.**
>>
>> Until recently it was widely believed that plastic requires hundreds of
>> years to break down, and this led **many people to quietly let the
>> problem
>> roll over to our future generations by simply not taking any action.**
>>
>> The vicious circle of plastic is especially alarming. Recent research
>> conducted in Greece, and worldwide, have demonstrated how inaccurate the
>> belief of how slow the rate of plastic breakdown truly is.
>>
>> For example, when common types of plastic (such as bags or water
>> bottles)
>> are discharged into the environment, **it can take only a few months of
>> UV
>> radiation, salt, and wave-effect to break them into small fragments,
>> which
>> later become microscopic fibers.**
>>
>> Also, it has to be noted that one of the most dangerous products of
>> plastic widely used in recent years is the so-called “biodegradable”
>> bags.
>> Their widespread use is a scandal, **as the material is not actually
>> “biodegradeable”, nor recyclable, it just degrades faster due to the
>> effect of a chemical catalyst** breaking down the plastic material into
>> smaller pieces, therefore entering our food chain faster.
>>
>> The consequences of this modern form of pollution are particularly
>> devastating for both natural ecosystems and the protected species these
>> support, as well as for human health.
>>
>> Since 2009, **researchers from Archipelagos Institute of Marine
>> Conservation have been carrying out thorough research throughout Greece
>> on
>> the dispersal of microplastic fibers within ecosystems,** studying their
>> abundance on coastal sediments, fish, invertebrates, surface waters,
>> etc.
>>
>> Furthermore, we investigate the accurate breakdown rates of different
>> types of plastic in real ecosystem conditions, i.e. in the sea, rivers
>> and
>> coasts.
>>
>> Archipelagos have already published relevant scientific papers, in
>> collaboration with researchers from Swansea University, which highlights
>> the extent of the problem in the Greek seas.
>>
>> **Unfortunately, in uninhabited areas of the Aegean, we found
>> concentrations of microplastic fibres which are equivalent to those of
>> the
>> coastal areas of Athens.**
>>
>> Our goal is the study of this vicious circle of plastic pollution and to
>> determine the way this impacts the rich biodiversity of the Greek seas,
>> as
>> well as human health.
>>
>> At the same time we are making unremitting efforts to address the
>> problem
>> by raising the awareness of both the authorities and the wider public.
>>
>> This effort does not have sufficient support. Despite the concern and
>> mobilization of some local authorities and communities, **many still
>> view
>> the Greek territory as an open dump.**
>>
>> This is easily proven by the images of scattered waste in all local and
>> national roads, for which, no one seems to care.
>>
>> **This problem is caused not only by all those who pollute the
>> ecosystems,
>> but also by all those who tolerate the situation as inactive
>> spectators.**
>>
>> Another worrying aspect is that all marine organisms we have analysed,
>> which include fish and marine invertebrates, were found to contain
>> microplastic fibers, either in smaller or in greater quantities, inside
>> the stomach.
>>
>> This, however, should not deter us from eating fish, as **it remains one
>> of the most valuable and nutritious food for humans** (and usually the
>> stomach which contains the plastic fibers is not consumed).
>>
>> Undoubtedly, **microplastics are a rapidly growing threat, without
>> geographical boundaries,** as the dispersion of tiny fibers increasing
>> in
>> all oceans and seas worldwide.
>>
>> **The most effective action would be to completely ban the use of
>> plastics.** However, realistically, this method cannot be applied as it
>> encounters conflicting interests.
>>
>> Until then, however, it is our obligation **to manage plastic as a
>> dangerous and irrecoverable material** (from the time of its breakdown),
>> which should be recycled and in any case never be released into the
>> environment.
>>
>> Web Version
>> https://madmimi.com/p/13fa55?fe=1&pact=25420654772
>>
>> Unsubscribe
>> https://go.madmimi.com/opt_out?fe=1&pact=25420654772
>>
>> Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation | Pythagorio Samos, 83103
>>
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