Scientists urge Australians not to leave rubbish at beaches this summer

Scientists on Friday asked Australians to be mindful of leaving plastic rubbish at beaches, saying it has a lasting detrimental effect on the marine ecosystem.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) released a statement detailing the impact that ocean rubbish has on the local ecosystem, ahead of the busy beach season.

CSIRO Principle Research Scientist Chris Wilcox said around half of all Australia seabirds have some amount of plastic inside their stomachs, while 15,000 sea turtles are trapped in dumped fishing gear every year.

He said it was important to be mindful of the environmental impact that leaving or dumping rubbish was having on the local ecosystem.

"More than 8 million tons of rubbish finds its way into the worlds' oceans each year," Wilcox said in a statement on Friday. "While about one million tons is out floating in the ocean, the rest ends up on the shore.

"We think turtles eat plastic bags because they look like jellyfish in the water and with seabirds it's the smell of plastic which takes on a krill-like smell in the water."

Wilcox said a lot of the rubbish found at sea and washed up on beaches was easily prevented by using a bin or taking one's rubbish with them after boating or having an afternoon relaxing at the surf.

"While up to 40 percent of litter found during clean-up activities are beverage containers, things like discarded fishing equipment are also common culprits," he said in the statement.

"If you're out on the beach or at the park, take your rubbish home with you - don't add to the pollution pandemic." Endit