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Assembly Member Paul Koretz
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0042

Re: AB 1940 (Koretz) Marine Debris Taskforce -- Support

Dear Assembly Member Paul Koretz:

I am writing in support of AB 1940, which will create a multiagency taskforce to formulate and implement a state plan addressing the growing problem of marine debris.

Recent research discovered that there is now six times the mass of plastic debris than zooplankton in the North Pacific Gyre (of the North Pacific Ocean).  Roughly 80% of marine debris originates from land-based sources, and 90% of that material is plastic.

Every year, plastic marine debris kills animals through entanglement, suffocation, starvation and ingestion.   In the 1980s it was estimated that plastic rubbish caused the deaths of over 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles a year in the North Pacific alone.  Plastics have been found in the digestive tracts of over 100 seabirds, and it was reported in 1998 that marine debris had affected 267 animal species around the world.

Researchers estimate that it may take plastics several centuries, perhaps a millennium, to fully biodegrade.   That means if plastic rubbish had blown into the ocean the day Constantine was born, that plastic could still be in our waters today.  After a few centuries, however, plastic longer maintains its form as it breaks apart into increasingly smaller pieces, eventually forming a plastic dust that may be consumed by filter feeders.

The ingestion of “plastic dust” leads to the absorption of harmful chemicals at the bottom of the food chain.  Recently released research has shown that animals absorb substances on plastic pellets, micropollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and nonylphenols, which have unstudied consequences in animal offspring and in their potential bioaccumulation in humanity.  In addition, debris can accumulate at the ocean floor level, interfering with the marine ecosystem by inhibiting gaseous exchanges and causing lower levels of oxygen which will not marine wildlife.  

Plastic litter also negatively affects tourism, the fifth largest contributor to the gross state product, generating $75 billion in direct travel spending and $5 billion in tax revenues.  However, littered areas decrease tourist appeal, harm property values, inhibit the attraction of new commercial sectors, and encourage further littering and dumping.

AB 1940 responds to a growing call to actively protect our oceans, which are so vital for the normal functioning of land-based ecosystems and the world we enjoy on a daily basis.  

I support AB 1940 which responds to the need for clean California coasts.

Sincerely,

(Please FAX a copy of your letter to CAW (916) 443-3912 and we will hand deliver your letter to other members of the committee)