Too many marine creatures are suffering at the hands of modern technology and the single use plastic shopping bag is one of the major culprits in the death of our ever dwindling sea life.
To the rescue will be a contingent of ocean goddesses who will swim ashore on Friday to highlight the devastation that single use plastic bags have on marine ecology.
Save the Mermaids, a conservation organisation whose aim is to share information and to preserve the health of the marine eco-system, are holding a peaceful rally on Main Beach, Byron Bay from 6.30am.
The group want to show their support for a NSW ban on single use plastic bags.
‘The total lightweight plastic bag use in Australia 2015 is estimated at well over five billion a year’, say the Mermaids. ‘That is, 10 million are used per day.
‘Plastic bags are made out of high density polyethylene derived from petrochemical sources. Just 8.7 plastic checkout bags contain enough embodied petroleum energy to drive a car one kilometre.’
‘The momentum is considerable in NSW and in many communities to ban single use plastic shopping bags. South Australia, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and the ACT have already taken the step – with great outcomes for the environment.
‘Currently Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and WA have no restrictions on disposable bags.
‘The states claim to be committed to the issue, but are not ready to act. The Queensland government is considering state-based action on plastic bags. Just as the Queensland government wishes to work with NSW on a container deposits system – NSW should work with Queensland on a plastic bag ban.
‘There is very little genuine opposition to a bag ban and the community is getting increasingly frustrated at the endless talk and no action.
‘The longer we wait the greater the damage.’
The Mermaids hope with enough support from the community, eventually Australia will ban the bag.
The Mermaids will direct the action on Friday. People wishing to join the rally are asked to bring a single use plastic bag with them to the beach for a photo opportunity planned for 7am.
For more information, visit the Mermaids’ Facebook page.
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