Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats facing our oceans. Up to 12 million tonnes of plastic is entering the oceans every year. This is affecting sea life – one in 3 turtles and 90% of seabirds are now estimated to have ingested plastic. Plastic is even ending up in the seafood on our plates. Coca-Cola are the largest soft drinks company in the world. Globally they … [Read more...]
Packaging industries raise R45 000 for new seabird hospital
The South African plastics and packaging industries managed to raise an incredible R45 000 during last week’s Propak Cape Exhibition by inviting companies and individuals to pledge funds for a much needed seabird hospital at SANCCOB’s Cape Town centre. According to Douw Steyn, Sustainability Director at Plastics|SA, leaders in the packaging industry and individuals did not … [Read more...]
BP oil spill killed several trillion larval fish
Louisiana's coastal marshes will be the key focus of $8.8 billion BP will pay to restore vast natural resource losses caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, part of a $20.8 billion settlement with federal and Gulf state governments announced Monday (Oct. 5). The environmental portion also includes targeting significant money on Gulf of Mexico resources, federal … [Read more...]
99% of all seabirds will have ingested plastic by 2050
Most seabirds have already eaten plastic in the oceans, and scientists project that 99 percent will have done so by 2050. Plastics are pervasive in the world's waters due to pollution, and birds - including albatrosses, penguins and gulls - can mistake brightly colored bottle tops or other fragments for food. Birds can become sick and die if they ingest too much … [Read more...]
Local seabird expert honoured in Hawaii
John Cooper, a research associate of the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology (CIB) at Stellenbosch University, was recently honoured for his career of nearly four decades dedicated to seabird conservation research. The Pacific Seabird Group (PSG) awarded him with a Lifetime Achievement Award at its 39th Annual Meeting in Oahu, Hawaii earlier this month. The PSG … [Read more...]