Wightlink has joined the campaign to find out more about microplastics pollution on Isle of Wight beaches.
The ferry company has signed up with Just One Ocean and the University of Portsmouth to take part in The Big Microplastics Survey. This is a global citizen science project to gather information about how microplastics are affecting coasts, rivers and lakes and everyone is welcome to join in.
Across the world, it’s estimated 8million tonnes of plastic get into our oceans every year. Tides and currents break down some of it into tiny particles known as microplastics. They can have a major impact on marine wildlife as they spread through ecosystems and get into the food chain.
Staff from Wightlink have already joined marine scientists at the University of Portsmouth and children from one of its partner schools – Dover Park in Ryde – to examine an area next to Ryde pier. No complicated equipment is needed to carry out microplastics surveys, only household sieves and buckets. More surveys are planned, and the results will contribute to an international database.
David Jones from Just One Ocean says:
“Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to marine and coastal ecosystems, and human health. We are grateful to Wightlink for carrying out microplastic surveys on Ryde beach to add to our data. Anyone is welcome to take part in this citizen science initiative and contribute their results to the international database.”
Louise Lea from Wightlink, took part in the survey on Ryde beach, has said:
“Surveying Island beaches for microplastics is just part of Wightlink’s Green Solent Project. This initiative aims to protect the land, air and sea that surrounds our three routes linking the Isle of Wight with the mainland.”
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If only Wightlink were as generous reducing ferry fares for island residents.
If the world is so dangerous perhaps stop bringing more into such a dangerous environment.
Or ignore the media and money making hype and enjoy your life before it dwindles away filled with unnecessary worries
Microplastics are ubiquitous in waters throughout the world. Here is a prediction – they will find loads of microplastics. Too many people bleating on about problems and very few searching for solutions.
Needs NO solution. If you ate a postage stamp sized piece of plastic you would come to NO HARM. So if you’re eating tiny fragments then the same result.
If we were to analyse ANYTHING it would be found in microscopic amounts in most places
Get a life and enjoy it. You will die of stress otherwise BUT OF COURSE THEY CANNOT STEALTH TAX THAT.
“Microplastics can cause tissue damage, oxidative stress, and changes in immune-related gene expression as well as antioxidant status in fish. After being exposed to microplastics, fish suffer from neurotoxicity, growth retardation, and behavioral abnormalities. The consequences of MPs on human health are poorly understood. Due to the abundance of microplastics in the environment, exposure may occur via consumption, inhalation, and skin contact. Humans may experience oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, neurotoxicity, immune system disruption, and transfer of microplastics to other tissues after being exposed to them. The toxic effects of microplastics in both fish and human are still unknown.”
One could take most any substance and after analysis write a damming report on what, in rare circumstances may possibly happen if ingesting or contacting such.
As we heard with Michael Jackson he too was a health freak , lying in a tent of Oxygen etc, sadly still died young.
If everyone and all sea life were suddenly dying early, fine. But to me just project fear to milk the gullible again.
Why would you want to deny the truth when confronted with scientific evidence? Brushing aside evidence is a very stupid way to deal with problems but that is why the world is doomed. Unfortunately, too many people are stupid and only choose to believe what suits their lifestyle.
Another take would be money is the world’s driving force.
So what better way of getting more from people than to always ‘use’ the SAFETY of their children or themselves as a means to then tax or force expensive replacements on the ever gullible?
Odd how filling the country with unchecked and vast numbers of newcomers isn’t seen as harmful to health wealth and our countryside but micro plastic which has been around for decades is
As we are all living longer adding to the problems of sustainability I suggest much HMG ‘care’ is fake to tax nice but gullible fools
Any data will have opposite views by science but you will go for your take but I see the underlying angle