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Billions of nurdles on KZN beaches

Billions of nurdles on KZN beaches

Date: 2017-10-27

The recent storms wracked havoc in KZN bringing about not just the destruction of infrastructure but serious environmental damage. Communities around the East Coast have been baffled by the tiny plastic nurdles, which have washed up on our beaches in the recent weeks. At first sight they looked like tiny pieces of sand but on close inspection, it was obvious that it was hazardous plastic.

Last week, SAAMBR (South African Association for Marine Biological Research) sent out an urgent appeal for all beach-goers to try and assist in collecting as many of these nurdles as possible over the weekend.

According to SAAMBR, the pellets will very easily make their way into the food chain of many marine species, who could easily mistake the tiny pellets for eggs or similar food.

Cameron Johnston from Salt from Salt Fishing South Africa, has posted an extensive article on Facebook saying, "According to SAAMBR, the real danger is that these nurdles, which are a raw plastic material which gets re-melted and moulded in factories to make plastic products, can and do absorb pollutants like PCBs and organochlorine pesticides, which are highly toxic to marine life and humans if consumed."

"Fundamentally, we have an enormous ecological disaster on our hands, which could easily be compared to an oil spill in terms of its possible impact on our marine species, not to mention the effects this could have on humans who may be consuming toxic fish a little further on down the road.

Ann Kunz from uShaka Sea World is also concerned about the nurdles, she spoke to The Bugle, "These nurdleshave landed on the beaches as a consequence of the violent storm which hit Durban two weeks ago and the consequent strong winds which have spread these nurdles along the coast from as far north as Richards Bay to Mbotyi in Eastern Cape."

"The nurdles that have washed up on the beaches aretheindustrial raw material from which our plastic products are made - they are re-meltedand moulded in factories to make the various plastic items on which we have become so dependent."

uShaka Sea World Director, Jone Porter said "Thebad news is that once released into the marine environment the nurdles will over time absorb pollutants such as organochlorine pesticideswhich areextremely harmful to both marine life and humansif consumed."

"Nurdles never disintegrate but merely break down into smaller and smaller fragments.Both the nurdles and the toxins they have absorbed will enter the food chain after being eaten by fish and other marine animals".

It might feel a bit overwhelming when you head down to the beach and see the magnitude of the problem. "However overwhelmed you feel just remember that ever nurdle that leaves the beach is one less nurdle that could end up in the stomach of a turtle, fish, seabird or other marine animal. Every nurdle counts", said Jone

Ann suggests that we should round up our family, friends or social groups and head down to your nearest beach - caring for the environment is not only the right thing to do - it can also be great fun.