Marine litter affects migratory bird species
Over 80 per cent of all marine litter is composed of plastic.
MARINE litter, including plastic, has become a matter of increasing global and national concern as a source of marine pollution.
More than 300 million tons of plastics is produced annually, making it one of the most widely used materials worldwide.
The Department of Environmental Affairs marked World Migratory Bird Day 2019, on Saturday.
The day is set aside annually, to raise awareness and educate the public on the plight of migratory bird species.
According to a statement released by the department, the country has amended its fiscal and waste management policy to introduce environmental levies for plastic bags and is looking at investments in plastic palletization plants which is also emphasised under Operation Phakisa initiatives as one of the best available ways to divert plastic waste from landfill sites.
“The country has also conducted a Plastic Material Flows and End of Life Management Study to assess the current status with regard to the production and management of plastics and identified barriers to improving the diversion of plastics from landfill sites,” said a statement from the department.
ALSO READ: Teams tackle plastic pollution along Durban beaches
In a research published in 2015, South Africa was ranked 11th in a list of top 20 countries for mismanaged waste, which could potentially become marine litter.
Over 80% of all marine litter is composed of plastic.
Once plastic enters the environment it does not biodegrade, but simply breaks down into smaller pieces over time which becomes a greater threat for marine species.
In response to the research paper, the 7th Meeting of the Parties to African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), was held in Durban where they agreed on measures to tackle threats from climate change and to increase protection of individual species and seabirds.
Furthermore a study on plastic and waterbirds was commissioned by AEWA to look at the impacts that plastics have on waterbirds and suggested possible monitoring tools to track interactions between waterbirds and plastics.
Do you want to receive news alerts on this and many other stories relevant to the Durban area via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
