CIYC presents free program on microplastic pollution
The Captiva Island Yacht Club annually hosts a boaters’ awareness program focusing on safety, environmental awareness and the preservation of aquatic habitats that is free and open to the public. On Feb. 16, its Environmental Committee presented “Microplastic Pollution” at the Captiva facility.
The CIYC reported that three local experts addressed different aspects of the issue.
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis discussed the current state of legislation to combat microplastic pollution at the federal, state and local levels. He noted that more stringent limits need to be set, especially on large corporate offenders. Also much more international collaboration will be required to address the issue.
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Urban Education Leader Melissa Maher, with the refuge’s Wildlife on Wheels mobile classroom, also spoke. She used an interactive program that she developed for school students to explain the basics of the problem with microplastics in all water, including in drinking water.
Refuge biological science technician Avery Renshaw talked about the effects of microplastics on aquatic plant and animal life. Studies have shown negative effects on marine animals as they ingest the plastics with their food, resulting in weight loss and disturbances to their reproductive functions.
The panel also suggested ways that the public can limit its consumption of single-use plastic.
The CIYC noted that there has been little research on the effects of microplastic particles on human beings, but it is established that humans ingest and breathe the minute plastics into their bodies. More will no doubt be revealed as the implications from animal studies prompt further examination of the impact of microplastics on humans.