Subject: Re: Abandoned Gill Nets (fishing line too!)
Date: Dec 28 13:05:15 1997
From: Michael Price - mprice at mindlink.bc.ca
Hi Tweets,
Scott Richardson writes:
>Floating plastics affect other seabirds, too. Crested Auklets and other
>planktivores in the Aleutian Islands gobble up tiny bits of plastic, which take
>up residence in the digestive tracts of these alcids. Still, "good scientists"
>often are reticent to link plastic ingestion with increased mortality, because
>such cause-effect relationships are difficult to measure in nature. However,
>the lack of conclusive evidence shouldn't preclude bird lovers from becoming
>incensed about the well-being of plastic-stuffed seabirds.
In an earlier post, I wrote:
>Well, if it's centralised (in the North Pacific Gyre), what's the
possibility of going out to the gyre with some sort of collector/recycler
ship, or a chartered freighter to fill up the holds, hoovering the crud up
whenever the weather's calm on a fairly periodic basis? Might there be some
UN money for this? Maybe some sort of penny-point impost on fishing gear or
licences? A donation from Bill G?
In absence of reaction or comment, I reiterate the suggestion of a possible
positive action for discussion. The job would be massive and long term, but
since the quantities involved are finite--if spread thinly like a foul
plankton over a fairly wide area--would it not be possible using modern
technology to develop or adapt a method of collection and recycling? Perhaps
a financial incentive for fishers to collect the stuff? And simultaneously
develop cheap plastics which degrade rapidly when immersed into salt water?
I'm sure there's some way to mitigate this, even if a total solution is
unrealistic.
Michael Price A brave world, Sir,
Vancouver BC Canada full of religion, knavery and change;
mprice at mindlink.net we shall shortly see better days.
Aphra Behn (1640-1689)