Doctor Deborah Robertson-Andersson returned to Tuesday Rostrum recently to talk about the dire effects that microplastics are having on marine health, with particular emphasis on the waters of Kwa-Zulu Natal.
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Scientists predict that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish, and up to 90 percent of sea birds will be affected.
After a delicious three-course lunch, Ms Robertson-Andersson, who is a Field Guides Association of South Africa honorary marine specialist and specialist marine guide, lecturer and teacher disclosed to guests some horrifying facts about plastic.
Nearly two million plastic beverage bottles are discarded in the United States every five minutes.
South Africa is ranked 11th globally for mismanaged plastic waste.
KwaZulu-Natal has the second largest population in South Africa, with 10.69 million people and four kilograms of waste per person per day is generated.
Shockingly, 5.25 trillion plastic pieces equating to 269 000 tons of plastic are clogging up the oceans, weighing the equivalent of two large cruise liners.
Sadly, medical studies on both rodents and humans and now fish have also shown that particles of polyvinylchloride and polystyrene less than 150 um can translocate from the gut cavity to the lymph and circulatory systems.
Ms Robertson-Andersson concluded her presentation by noting to Tuesday Rostrum guests that a lack of knowledge is the barrier to meaningful behavioural change.
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