Litter on Irish Beaches and in our Seas.

I was reading a very interesting article last night - which I suppose shocked me! Not that I am sure that it was 100% correct in the detail but it sure made me think. So let me share some of the points that I picked up on and may'be some learned scientist out in cyberspace could put me right -

It is suggested that plastic is one of the big problems in the oceans of the world. It is so strong and does not break down easily. It's light so it floats and gets caught in boat propellers and nets. It is suggested that over 80% of marine pollution comes from the land.

Leatherback turtles found in Irish waters are known to mistake plastic bags for their favourite food which of course is jellyfish! Once in the animal's stomach the poor turtle slowly dies. Plastic six-pack rings get stuck around the necks of seabirds. So what about bio-degradable plastics? It seems that it needs sunlight to breakdown so when buried in landfills it lasts just as long as other plastics. Over 150 marine species in our waters are known and recorded to have become entangled with plastics.

Another fact to ponder. Is it true that radioactive chemicals in the seas will be there for the tens of thousands of years from now?

Consider what happens to our rubbish when left on our beaches or dumped at sea. This it seems, is how long it takes to breakdown in our waters -

Paper 2-4 months. Cigarette butts 0-12 years. Plastic wrappers and bags 10-20 years. Nylon Fabrics 30-40 years. Tin Cans 80-100 years. Plastic six-packs holders 450 years. Monofilament line and Styrofoam cups etc., non-bio-degradable so it will be there forever!!
It must be just scare tactics? Please someone tell me this cannot be true? If it is then I for one am pleased that the Minister introduced a levy on plastic carrier bags. I do hope that the new waste management programmes being introduced by Government and Local Authorities are supported, implimented and most of all enforced. It makes sewage pollution seem positively harmless!! So all you marine biologists and scientists give me the true facts about our seas and oceans. I like to hear what surfers have to say about pollution on our beaches and in our waters around Ireland. And another thing!! What is the foam that is blown up onto the beaches? Tell me about fertilisers washed into our rivers, streams and seas. What exactly does it do to our environment?? Answers please someone ....?