What are the negative effects of plastic bags on marine life?
In the marine environment plastic bag litter is lethal killing at least 100,000 birds, whales, seals and turtles every year. After an animal is killed by plastic bags its body decomposes and the plastic is released back into the environment where it can kill again. More detailed information can be found in the following articles: ‘The hazards of persistent marine pollution: drift plastics and conservation islands’: a published article by Murray R. Gregory hosted on the ‘Royal Society of NZ’ webpage. ‘Plastic Sea’: an article for the upcoming SeaWeek: 4 – 11 March. ‘Save our Seas’: article from the South African Coastal Information Centre.
