On the eve of World Ocean Day, new research has revealed that marine turtles are under threat by marine rubbish, including the ubiquitous plastic bag.

The research forms part of the ‘Turtles in Trouble’ program being conducted by Earthwatch Australia in the eastern regions of Moreton Bay. Focused on the turtles in the region, the study reveals that 36 per cent of marine turtles are being impacted by marine rubbish, with soft plastics being the number one contributor.

Marine scientist Dr Kathy Townsend of The University of Queensland said the results of Earthwatch Australia’s ‘Turtles in Trouble’ Research Project has exposed that the impact of marine rubbish on the death of turtles was over 17 times higher than previously suggested.

[pullquote]“Turtles have been found to have eaten most plastic items, but the most common items eaten are soft plastics such as plastic bags and lolly wrappers and pieces of hard broken down plastic,“ Dr Townsend said.[/pullquote]

“Turtles have been found to have eaten most plastic items, but the most common items eaten are soft plastics such as plastic bags and lolly wrappers and pieces of hard broken down plastic,“ Dr Townsend said.

“The ratio of soft plastics – plastic bags, bait bags and cling film, to hard plastics found in turtle gut contents compared to the ratio found in the environment was significantly higher. This suggests that turtles do indeed select soft plastics as food as has been suggested anecdotally.”

According to Dr Townsend, the research consolidates the ongoing need for the community to have a zero tolerance to allowing plastic bags and other rubbish to escape into the marine environment via creeks, rivers and activity on beaches.

Richard Gilmore, Executive Director of Earthwatch Australia said the new research and work of Dr Townsend highlighted the need for the community to have a wider awareness of the impact of marine rubbish with the biggest challenges focused on where Australia’s capital cities, country and regional population centres are located on the coast.

“Earthwatch is launching a major social networking program ‘Operation Wave’ utilising Twitter and Facebook to focus the attention on maintaining healthy oceans and providing information on the major role oceans play locally and internationally in the health, economic and food networks,” Mr Gilmore said.

The Earthwatch Institute is an international not-for-profit environmental organisation which funds field research expeditions in over 50 countries.

Do you want to help the turtles?

Earthwatch Australia is seeking volunteers to help with its marine turtle research on North Stradbroke Island by participating in a one day expedition in July, August or September.

You’ll spend the day working on North Stradbroke Island, where Dr Kathy Townsend has been studying endangered sea turtles. You’ll learn about the many threats to sea turtles, spending your morning in the lab assisting with the dissection of a dead turtle to analyse the plastics that have contributed to the turtle’s death. Then, you’ll survey the shoreline for waste, record and catalogue the results and collect and remove any waste that could wash back into the ocean.

For more information visit the Earthwatch site.

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EthicalLiving.com.au