01-19-2007, 08:59 PM
Information provided by: [font "Arial"]Center for Marine Conservation
1725 DeSales Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036[/font] [font "Arial"]NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service
Marine Entanglement Research Program
7600 Sand Point Way, NE
Seattle, WA 98115[/font] [font "Arial"]The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc.
1275 K Street, NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005[/font]
![[Image: trash1.gif]](http://www.boatingsafety.com/wow/images/trash1.gif)
- D.Alcorn Most man-made debris can create aesthetic or environmental problems. The qualities that have made plastics so successful - light weight, strength, and durability - make plastic debris a persistent threat in our oceans and waterways.
Since most plastic tends to float, currents transport it to shore. Even in remote areas like Antarctica researchers are now finding plastic bottles, bags, and sheeting washed ashore. But plastic in our waterways is more than a litter problem. It kills!
Marine animals sometimes confuse plastic items for real food. - a fatal mistake. Ingested plastics can cause internal injury, intestinal blockage, or starvation. Seabirds are known to eat anything from small plastic pieces to plastic lighters and bottle caps. Some birds even feed plastic debris to their young. Sea turtles often mistake bags and sheeting for jellyfish, a favorite prey item. Even the great whales are victims - several have been found dead with plastic bags and sheeting in their stomachs. And ingesting plastic is not the only problem.![[Image: trash2.gif]](http://www.boatingsafety.com/wow/images/trash2.gif)
- J. Domont
![[Image: trash3.gif]](http://www.boatingsafety.com/wow/images/trash3.gif)
- G. Antonelis Thousands of marine animals die every year from entanglement in plastic trash. Sometimes an animal accidentally swims into a piece of plastic and becomes ensnared, unable to escape. Curious seal pups are often attracted to floating debris and become entangled in plastic connector rings and fishing line, but also use plastic as nesting materials, which can create death traps for their young.
Plastic debris is not just a problem for wildlife. Plastics also can be a floating menace to navigation. Boaters report that plastic rope and line fouls propellers and that plastic bags and sheeting clog seawater intakes and evaporators, causing engine failure, costly repairs, and annoying delays. This type of vessel disablement can be life threatening.
[center]Tackling the Problem[/center] [left]The natural beauty of our waters attracts many people to boating. Yet some boaters still dump their garbage into the water. Here's what you can do to help:[/left] [ul] [li] [left]Make it boat policy that NO trash is discarded overboard. Federal law prohibits the discharge of any plastic trash, and restricts the overboard disposal of other shipboard trash.[/left] [li] [left]Encourage your dock or marina to provide adequate garbage cans and recycling bins. All ports and marinas are required by law to provide trash containers for boaters.[/left] [li] [left]Install trash compactors on large vessels.[/left] [li] [left]Retrieve trash encountered in the water or on shore, where possible.[/left] [li] [left]Share your concern with others and encourage them to help.[/left] [li] [left]Participate in local beach and harbor cleanups, and leave the beach clean after your visits.[/left][/li][/ul] [left]Ultimately, the solution to the plastic debris problem lies with those who care about the future of the aquatic environment and its living resources. Become part of the solution - keep plastics out of our oceans and waterways.[/left]![[Image: trash4.gif]](http://www.boatingsafety.com/wow/images/trash4.gif)
- T. O'Hara
[size 2]MARPOL Annex V is an international law that restricts the overboard dumping of garbage from vessels. The U.S. law that implements Annex V in our waters prohibits the dumping of plastic trash in the oceans or navigable waters of the United States, and limits the overboard disposal of other garbage.[/size]
[size 2]All ships, boats, platforms, marinas, and docks must comply with this law. In addition, vessels 26' in length and longer must have at least one Annex V placard prominently posted, to notify all passengers and crew of discharge restrictions and penalties. Vessels 40' in length and longer must also have a written waste management plan, on board. Ports and marinas are required to provide onshore containers for boaters' trash.[/size]
[size 2]Violators caught dumping may be assessed a civil penalty up to $25,000.[/size]
[size 2]To report any illegal dumping that you witness or to report a lack of onshore trash containers, contact your local Coast Guard.[/size]
[size 2]It is the common belief of the organizations listed above that increased public awareness about the growing problems caused by plastic debris, and cooperation among all groups that contribute to this problem, will result in practical solutions and cleaner waters.[/size]
[size 2][/size]
[size 2]this isn't only for oceans,it is for all bodies of water[/size]
[signature]
1725 DeSales Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036[/font] [font "Arial"]NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service
Marine Entanglement Research Program
7600 Sand Point Way, NE
Seattle, WA 98115[/font] [font "Arial"]The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc.
1275 K Street, NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005[/font]
- D.Alcorn Most man-made debris can create aesthetic or environmental problems. The qualities that have made plastics so successful - light weight, strength, and durability - make plastic debris a persistent threat in our oceans and waterways.
Since most plastic tends to float, currents transport it to shore. Even in remote areas like Antarctica researchers are now finding plastic bottles, bags, and sheeting washed ashore. But plastic in our waterways is more than a litter problem. It kills!
Marine animals sometimes confuse plastic items for real food. - a fatal mistake. Ingested plastics can cause internal injury, intestinal blockage, or starvation. Seabirds are known to eat anything from small plastic pieces to plastic lighters and bottle caps. Some birds even feed plastic debris to their young. Sea turtles often mistake bags and sheeting for jellyfish, a favorite prey item. Even the great whales are victims - several have been found dead with plastic bags and sheeting in their stomachs. And ingesting plastic is not the only problem.
- J. Domont
- G. Antonelis Thousands of marine animals die every year from entanglement in plastic trash. Sometimes an animal accidentally swims into a piece of plastic and becomes ensnared, unable to escape. Curious seal pups are often attracted to floating debris and become entangled in plastic connector rings and fishing line, but also use plastic as nesting materials, which can create death traps for their young.
Plastic debris is not just a problem for wildlife. Plastics also can be a floating menace to navigation. Boaters report that plastic rope and line fouls propellers and that plastic bags and sheeting clog seawater intakes and evaporators, causing engine failure, costly repairs, and annoying delays. This type of vessel disablement can be life threatening.
[center]Tackling the Problem[/center] [left]The natural beauty of our waters attracts many people to boating. Yet some boaters still dump their garbage into the water. Here's what you can do to help:[/left] [ul] [li] [left]Make it boat policy that NO trash is discarded overboard. Federal law prohibits the discharge of any plastic trash, and restricts the overboard disposal of other shipboard trash.[/left] [li] [left]Encourage your dock or marina to provide adequate garbage cans and recycling bins. All ports and marinas are required by law to provide trash containers for boaters.[/left] [li] [left]Install trash compactors on large vessels.[/left] [li] [left]Retrieve trash encountered in the water or on shore, where possible.[/left] [li] [left]Share your concern with others and encourage them to help.[/left] [li] [left]Participate in local beach and harbor cleanups, and leave the beach clean after your visits.[/left][/li][/ul] [left]Ultimately, the solution to the plastic debris problem lies with those who care about the future of the aquatic environment and its living resources. Become part of the solution - keep plastics out of our oceans and waterways.[/left]
- T. O'Hara
[size 2]MARPOL Annex V is an international law that restricts the overboard dumping of garbage from vessels. The U.S. law that implements Annex V in our waters prohibits the dumping of plastic trash in the oceans or navigable waters of the United States, and limits the overboard disposal of other garbage.[/size]
[size 2]All ships, boats, platforms, marinas, and docks must comply with this law. In addition, vessels 26' in length and longer must have at least one Annex V placard prominently posted, to notify all passengers and crew of discharge restrictions and penalties. Vessels 40' in length and longer must also have a written waste management plan, on board. Ports and marinas are required to provide onshore containers for boaters' trash.[/size]
[size 2]Violators caught dumping may be assessed a civil penalty up to $25,000.[/size]
[size 2]To report any illegal dumping that you witness or to report a lack of onshore trash containers, contact your local Coast Guard.[/size]
[size 2]It is the common belief of the organizations listed above that increased public awareness about the growing problems caused by plastic debris, and cooperation among all groups that contribute to this problem, will result in practical solutions and cleaner waters.[/size]
[size 2][/size]
[size 2]this isn't only for oceans,it is for all bodies of water[/size]
[signature]