Marine experts in Cornwall warn discarded face masks can linger for more than 450 years
Rubbish in waterways is having a significant impact on Cornish marine life and their habitats
As lockdown restrictions start to ease across the UK, marine experts at sea life aquariums in Cornwall and the Sea Life Trust charity are appealing for people to discard their litter responsibly.
It comes after the charity launched its campaign 'Don't Make Easter Rubbish!' over the school holidays, in a bid to raise awareness of the impact that significant amounts of litter are having across the Duchy's waterways.
The campaign also serves as a reminder to residents and visitors in Cornwall about the amazing sea creatures that live in our seas which continue to need protection.
“Last year, after restrictions eased we saw wave after wave of litter and rubbish being left after people began exploring outside again.
"If left lying around, all this rubbish can make its way into our precious waters, having the devastating effect of polluting the home of thousands of animals and causing immediate danger to life for those caught up in it.
"We are determined to try and prevent it from happening again to protect our marine life and habitat – but we can’t do it without the help of people across the UK.
"We are appealing to everyone to consider marine life before they leave every public space – please take your rubbish with you or put it in a bin. In doing so, you could be saving the lives of precious marine creatures and ecosystems, and preserving them for future generations to come.”
Andy Bool, Head of the SEA LIFE Trust
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, based in Gweek, is run by the Sea Life Trust and is one of the centres behind the Easter campaign:
“Here at The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, we’ve witnessed first-hand the worrying effects last year’s restriction relaxation had on the amount of litter making its way into our waterways.
"By raising awareness with this campaign, launching from 25th March, we hope to stop this happening again, with everyone doing their bit to make a positive difference to marine creatures and their habitats.
"It’s easy to get involved, simply visit the SEA LIFE website for more information and keep an eye on our social media pages where we’ll be sharing updates and tips from our teams on how you can help.”
Jana, General Manager at The Cornish Seal Sanctuary
Plastics and waterways - what’s the damage?
Littering and plastic pollution will also have a significant impact for the long-term future of the world’s waters and ecosystems. It is estimated that 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the world’s oceans each year and that by 2050, the oceans could have more plastic than fish.
SEA LIFE aquariums and the SEA LIFE Trust teams across the UK take part in regular beach and waterway cleans, where the most common items found are plastic bottles and bottle tops, straws, food wrappers and cigarette butts.
Sadly, this is now starting to include disposable face masks too, as discovered by fellow organisation the Marine Conservation Society, who discovered these on 30% of the beaches they cleaned last year. This isn’t an easy fix – disposable face masks can take up to 450 years to break down in the environment.
Litter (like face masks) getting into waterways poses a huge risk to hundreds of wildlife species, including seals, seabirds, turtles and whales, all of whom have mistaken marine litter for food, resulting in starvation, poisoning and fatal stomach blockages.
Amount of time it can take for litter items to biodegrade:
• Cigarette butts – 10+ years
• Coffee cup – 50 years
• Plastic bags – 20-50 years
• Crisp packet – 80+ years
• Straws – 200 years
• Plastic bottles - average 450-1000 years
• Single use face masks – 450+ years
Danger of Microplastics
Plastics can also breakdown and create Microplastics. Microplastics are tiny fragments of plastic – under 5mm in length – which are then small enough to enter the environment, marine life and eventually humans! Evidence of microplastics can be found throughout our seas and oceans, but also in rivers, soils, and also in the tissue of animals and plants.
It is estimated that there are 5.25 trillion plastic particles in the world’s oceans – that’s nearly 700 pieces for every person on the planet!
Seal Pup ‘Brian May's' story
A young grey seal pup, nicknamed Brian May, was discovered in an emaciated state and subsequently cared for by the SEA LIFE Trust’s Cornish Seal Sanctuary.
After a few days of care from their specialist care team, he excreted pieces of a plastic bag that had been blocking his gut.
Luckily with the team’s help, Brian was able to make a full recovery and was released back into the wild; A good ending for him but sadly not all marine life is so lucky.
SEA LIFE and the SEA LIFE Trust are appealing to the public to pledge support to help protect marine animals like Brian May for generations to come.
Beach Cleans to Reduce Plastic Pollution
The SEA LIFE Trust, supported by partners at SEA LIFE aquariums, work globally to reduce plastic pollution by running campaigns and supporting projects, like ‘Don’t Make Easter Rubbish’, that can help to reduce the wave of plastic entering our oceans.
This summer, they plan to run a Global Beach Clean, leading the charge on cleaning up beaches, canals and waterways around the UK.
Supporters are encouraged to hold their own beach or river clean near their home, as a simple and effective way in which everybody can help to turn the tide on litter, starting with their own local areas – all litter ends up in our oceans. Recent cleans held have collected almost 2,000 kg of litter – the equivalent weight of two adult beluga whales!
To support the work being done by SEA LIFE and the SEA LIFE Trust in protecting marine life for generations to come, text RUBBISH to 70085 to donate £5 or pledge online here.
For more information on the ‘Don’t Make Easter Rubbish!’ campaign, visit the Sea Life Trust website here.