Plastics all over the ocean

[Dan.Linehan]

Here are a few links from mindfully.org about plastics.

I realize that there doesn't seem to be a lot of demand for information about this issue on here, but the more I research the more it freaks me out.

I mean, we've only been using plastic for 50 years and look what its gotten us. A trashed, unsustainable ecology..

But all anyone can seem to think is, "Duhhh we can't just stop using it.."

So, what? We're just going to keep on like this?


Trashed: Across the Pacific Ocean, Plastics, Plastics, Everywhere CHARLES MOORE / Natural History v.112, n.9, Nov03

PET Plastic Problem Photographs CHRIS JORDAN / Photographer 1jan2007

What is the Least Toxic Plastic? Commentary by Paul Goettlich 8jun03

Two million plastic beverage bottles, the number used in the US every five minutes.

[Uplift]

Tell me about it, I surf in one of the most isolated zones on the planet, the the Great Australian Bight, and you wouldn't believe what washes up on the beach.

Reminds me of the moon. How many times have we been up there? And there's already **** (oops, I mean scientific breakthroughs) everywhere.

Good morning, this is an extra terrestial alert...theres an outbreak in sector Z, get the bug zappers, earth is pretty much infested, now they are shitting all over the moon.

[cdn2wheeler]

Originally Posted by Uplift

Tell me about it, I surf in one of the most isolated zones on the planet, the the Great Australian Bight, and you wouldn't believe what washes up on the beach.

Well, possibly pieces of surfboard that have been chomped by white sharks.

You REALLY surf there?? Isn't that kinda, well, lethal?

[Uplift]

Originally Posted by cdn2wheeler

Well, possibly pieces of surfboard that have been chomped by white sharks.

You REALLY surf there?? Isn't that kinda, well, lethal?

Yeah, for 30 odd years. Awesome, insane waves. Like Tahiti in cold water. But we are really used to it. Africa and Oregan are worse for sharks.

Its the cleanest air and water in the world, next stop Antartica. Good practise for what attitude you really give off. No point being the scaredest, weakest thing in the water. You might as well say, eat me. Sometimes you just know to get out though.

The worst was sitting on this offshore reef, by myself, 15 minutes paddle to shore, over 80 foot of water. This baby fur seal was like an inquisitive puppy, all over me, jumping around, and playing. Its mother was trying to get it away, when kaboom, the male, like a grizzly bear in water, a head like a giant rottweiler, rears up right at me, and bares these massive fangs in my face, grunting and hissing, stinking breath in my face. Seals are like dogs, so I knew to just be totally non dominant, submissive, look and cower down. I could see out the corner of my eye it fully gesturing into my face. I was just waiting to be chomped. But it worked, and he was okay then. Sharks are different. They are cunning, don't really like eating us, and want to eat with least effort. You have to give off a different vibe...I am strong and ready. Or else get out of the water.

If you surf, you'll love this. Check out my post in;

Spirituality, Consciousness, & Awareness, in the thread,

The words LOVE, Angel & Devil and their effect on water, on page 8 or 9.

[Lola]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

but the more I research the more it freaks me out.

Yeah. Me too. I feel more "at home" at the ocean than any other place on earth. Although I live 300+ miles inland, I make beach trips as often as possible. And try to make at least one of the big beach clean up days every year. Regardless of the number of volunteers, the task feels comparable to trying to fill the ocean by spitting in it.

Texas Adopt-A-Beach Program

Too little by too few.

[Matthew Shea]

Beverage container deposit laws have gone a LONG way to stopping such pollution. I wonder why every state hasn't adopted or expanded such laws to at least cover all plastic and metal food containers. That would get rid of at least 90% of the problem we're talking about.

[cdn2wheeler]

Originally Posted by Uplift

Yeah, for 30 odd years. Awesome, insane waves. Like Tahiti in cold water. But we are really used to it. Africa and Oregan are worse for sharks.

Did some scuba diving back a number of years ago. Never had a close encounter with a white shark, though reef & lemon sharks were like flies; all over the place, more of a nuisance than anything else. Still, gotta keep the eyes open.

But to the topic at hand... A number of times I saw birds with those plastic beverage thingies - you know, those whatchmacallits that hold 6 beers together - wrapped around their necks or beaks. But there was no way to approach the birds to get the plastic off, they'd just fly away.

[Uplift]

Originally Posted by cdn2wheeler

Did some scuba diving back a number of years ago. Never had a close encounter with a white shark, though reef & lemon sharks were like flies; all over the place, more of a nuisance than anything else. Still, gotta keep the eyes open.

But to the topic at hand... A number of times I saw birds with those plastic beverage thingies - you know, those whatchmacallits that hold 6 beers together - wrapped around their necks or beaks. But there was no way to approach the birds to get the plastic off, they'd just fly away.

Yeah, thats sad. We see lots of hammered birds too. Fishing line absolutely sucks too. Gets the seals as well. They are so inquisitive. Long liners wreak the most havoc on birds though.

[williamhessian]

Originally Posted by Uplift

Yeah, thats sad. We see lots of hammered birds too. Fishing line absolutely sucks too. Gets the seals as well. They are so inquisitive. Long liners wreak the most havoc on birds though.

good post. its a serious issue. im going to read all those links and post a blog about this topic. thanks