Plastic Pollution Retailers start phasing out plastic bags. Corals More Susceptible To Diseases

Scientists have found that plastic trash ubiquitous throughout the world's oceans massively increases the chance of disease in corals."We examined more than 120,000 corals, both plastic-free and with plastic present, on 159 reefs from Indonesia, Australia, Myanmar and Thailand," said Joleah Lamb, from the Cornell University in the US.
"We found that the chance of disease increased from four per cent to 89 per cent when corals are in contact with plastic," said Lamb.Coral are tiny animals with living tissue that cling to and build upon one another to form "apartments," or reefs, according to a study published in the journal Science.Bacterial pathogens ride aboard the plastics, disturbing delicate coral tissues and their microbiome.

 

"What's troubling about coral disease is that once the coral tissue loss occurs, it's not coming back," said Lamb."It's like getting gangrene on your foot and there is nothing you can do to stop it from affecting your whole body," the researcher said.She said the problem of plastic waste looks to be getting worse."We estimate there are 11.1 billion plastic items on coral reefs across the Asia-Pacific and forecast this to increase by 40 per cent within seven years," she said.The researchers said the finding adds to the burden of climate-related disease outbreaks that have already had an impact on coral reefs globally."Bleaching events are projected to increase in frequency and severity as ocean temperatures rise.
Theres more than 275 million people relying upon coral reefs for food, coastal protection, tourism income, and cultural significance," said Professor Bette Willis, from the James Cook University in Australia."So moderating disease outbreak risks in the ocean will be vital for improving both human and ecosystem health," Willis said.The scientists forecast that by 2025, plastic going into the marine environment will increase to roughly 15.7 billion plastic items on coral reefs, which could lead to skeletal eroding band disease, white syndromes and black band disease."This study demonstrates that reductions in the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean will have direct benefits to coral reefs by reducing disease-associated mortality," Lamb said.
A marine ecologist describes what it's like to find plastic among remote coral reefs in the Asia-Pacific.
"You could be diving and you think someone's tapping your shoulder but it's just a bottle knocking against you, or a plastic trash bag stuck on your tank," Joleah Lamb of New York's Cornell University told Reuters

Harris Farm is the first of the major retailers going plastic bag-free at the registers, after Coles, Woolies and others announced they would be going plastic free in mid-2018. Photo: Louie Douvis

"It's really sad."
A study conducted by researchers from several countries, including Australia, and published in the journal Science last week  estimates there are 11.1 billion plastic items entangled in coral reefs from Thailand to the Great Barrier Reef.

A turtle trying to eat a plastic bag in the Gulf of Carpentaria in northern Australia. Photo: AAP

Researchers surveyed 159 coral reefs and found the most plastic in Indonesia, and the least off Australia, which has tighter waste regulations.

 

The study said the chance of coral disease increased 20-fold once it became entangled in plastic, due to light deprivation, toxin release, and a lack of oxygen, which gave pathogens a chance to invade.
"With more than 275 million people relying on coral reefs for food, coastal protection, tourism income, and cultural importance moderating disease outbreak risks in the ocean will be vital for improving both human and ecosystem health," said the researchers, led by Dr Lamb.
In Australia, there is some good news about the move to abate plastic waste. The Keep Australia Beautiful Litter Index, which is the nation's only long-term survey of litter, found that plastic bag litter was significantly lower in states where they are banned.

Tristan Harris, CEO of Harris Farm. Photo: Angus Mordant

Plastic bags are banned in Tasmania, the ACT, South Australia and the Northern Territory. Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia have vowed to phase them out this year, leaving NSW as the only state without a ban or a plan for one.
Harris Farm Markets has stopped offering single-use plastic bags at the checkouts, the first major retailer to do so, and is encouraging customers to bring their own bag or take a recycled box from the store

Retailers are beginning to phase out plastic bags, as a new study reveals marine devastation. Photo: Dallas Kilponen

They have also removed plastic packaging from their organic range, and ask customers to bring their own bag or use a muslin bag while shopping in the fruit and vegetable section.
"We see it as our collective responsibility to decrease our environmental footprint given there is still so much that needs to be done to protect our precious environment and marine wildlife," co-CEO Tristan Harris said.
"We also believe it's vital the NSW Government enacts a full ban to avoid facing an alarming future."
A spokesman for Woolworths said it was on track to phase out bags at the checkout by July 1, as it announced last year.
A new store in Beecroft, in Sydney's north, recently opened plastic-bag free, with enthusiasm from the community, he said.
Coles has also vowed to phase out plastic bags this year, while Aldi has always charged customers for its bags.
Environmentalist Tim Silverwood, the founder of Take 3 for the Sea initiative, which encourages people to take three pieces of rubbish from the beach every visit and bin it, emphasised the need to move away from plastics.
"It's brilliant there are retailers out there willing to make these changes. Change is hard, but how much more evidence do we need that change is essential?," he said.
Individuals need to look at their own use of plastic, like bags, bottles and coffee cups, Mr Silverwood said.
"They feel so insignificant sometimes ... but it's a declaration of intent that you don't want to be a contributor."