Photo: A northern fulmar; credit: Ashok Khosla, www.seabirds.com
Friday, July 13, 2012
Pacific NW Seabirds Stuffed Full of Plastic
The article, Pacific NW Seabirds Stuffed Full of Plastic, from "Discovery News," describes a study done on birds that they found dead on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. After cutting open 67 birds, known as a Northern Fulmars, they found that 93% of them had an average of 37 pieces of plastic in their stomachs, causing their deaths. A graduate student in the field of zoology, Stephanie Avery-Gomm, states, "Their stomach content provides a 'snapshot' sample of plastic pollution
from a large area of the northern Pacific Ocean." Surely, the plastic pollution dilemma has become a serious problem, as the birds are consuming over 34% more plastic than they did 40 years ago. It is important that we watch what we do. The disposal of our trash is hurting countless animals, and we should take care of this crisis.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think that this article is a good eye-opener regarding the extent of plastic pollution that has accumulated in recent years in the North Pacific. I also feel that it is extreme negligence that has caused the tragic fate of so many innocent marine animals including the northern fulmar. It would be useful to know if there are similar marine creatures that can act as pollution indicators so that the amount of plastic pollution can be curtailed before it reaches dangerous levels. It would also be practical if environmental agencies can make suggestions to the public as to how to reduce their consumption of plastic and how to dispose it off in an eco-friendly manner.
ReplyDeleteThis article is a prime example of why I think that the people in the world should make more efforts to ensure that the environment stays clean. Water is an important resource to many different species. With clean water less problems would occur and its inhabitants would not be at risk. The government should become more strict on how companies and organizations discard trash and other items into the environment.
ReplyDelete