FYI..... Sincerely, Sarah Wilson Ocean Institute Manager, Cooperation in Research and Education (949) 496-2274 ext. 337 www.ocean-institute.org <http://www.ocean-institute.org/> and Web Coordinator Thank You Ocean Campaign National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation sarahw-thankyouocean@hotmail.com www.thankyouocean.org P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail -----Original Message----- From: owner-scuttlebutt@vims.edu [mailto:owner-scuttlebutt@vims.edu] On Behalf Of Jane Stevens Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 7:05 AM Subject: Re: [MARMAM] Plastic bags and marine animals Here's part of a series we did on leatherback turtles that addresses plastic bags. As Dr. Jim Spotila points out, it's difficult to know if plastic bags kill turtles directly or weaken them because they can't digest enough food. The accompanying photos show plastic removed from green turtles. Perhaps there's more information from green turtle researchers? http://www.topp.org/blog/did_missing_turtles_eat_plastic_bags Cheers, Jane Jane Ellen Stevens Multimedia journalist, news organization consultant Editorial director, Oceans Now (TOPP.org, GreatTurtleRace.com) Lecturer, UCBerkeley Graduate School of Journalism jstevens@mmjourno.com ________________________________ There have been recent reports in some Australian media and internet discussions that plastic bags do not harm marine animals. This discussion has come about as a result of incorrect information initially claiming that 100,000 animals die from plastic bags when it should have said 100,000 animals die from discarded nets. Certain sectors are now claiming plastic bags are actually harmless. One UK report can be read here:http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3508263.ec e <http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3508263.ece> Can anyone here help in providing strong evidence that marine animals are killed by plastic bags, how they are killed, or maybe even suggestions that they are not of concern in the marine environment. Thankyou in advance. Winston P. Smith wps101@hotmail.com ________________________________ _______________________________________________ MARMAM mailing list