Legislation targets trash threat to marine wildlife

By: DAVE DOWNEY - Staff Writer | Tuesday, March 27, 2007 9:06 PM PDT ∞

California lawmakers are sponsoring a package of legislation that takes aim at the growing volume of trash ---- most of it plastic ---- that is fouling the Pacific Ocean and threatening marine wildlife.

Five bills target the problem on several fronts. They seek to phase out certain chemicals used in the manufacture of plastic packaging, to remove underwater fishing gear, and to make fast-food outlets serve burgers and drinks in recyclable containers by 2012.

Two of the bills passed out of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on Monday. The others are scheduled to be heard by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on April 16.

Dan Jacobson, legislative director for Environment California, a Sacramento-based group, said the legislation is needed because recent studies suggest there is more plastic in parts of the ocean than there is plankton, the base of the marine food chain.

"Our ocean is drowning in plastic and thousands, if not millions, of sea animals and fish are affected by the plastic every single year," Jacobson said. "We need to transform the plastic that we use in this state and in this country to one that has less toxics and one that can be recycled more."

Marieta Francis, director of operations for the Algalita Marine Research Foundation in Long Beach, said albatrosses are among the most frequent victims of the plastic proliferation. Whole red bottle caps and cigarette lighters ---- which bear a similar color to the shrimp and krill they eat ---- have been found in the birds' stomachs, she said.

"They are picking up the bright red pieces of plastic floating on the ocean and regurgitating it to their chicks," Francis said.

The food service industry, however, suggests the focus of Sacramento's campaign is misguided.

"We believe it doesn't address the true problem of litter," said Jordan Traverso, spokeswoman for the 22,000-member California Restaurant Association. "The true problem is the people who are littering."

The association opposes the move to ban foam containers, saying it would affect everything from coffee cups to the "clam shells" used for carry-out meals.

"(Foam) is one of the best choices for keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold," Traverso said.

Meanwhile, the American Chemistry Council has gone on record opposing the proposed phase-out of several materials in the manufacture of plastic packaging, including styrene, bisphenol-A and vinyl chloride, by 2015.

"There isn't a justification for outright banning these chemicals," said Tim Shestek, director of state affairs for the council. "I think it sets a bad precedent. And I don't see how it gets at the marine debris issue."

The legislative package features the following bills:

- Senate Bill 898 by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, which would mandate a state program to clear harbors and marinas of abandoned fishing lines and nets.

- Senate Bill 899 by Simitian, the one that would ban certain chemicals.

- Assembly Bill 904 by Assemblyman Mike Feuer, D-West Hollywood, which would require food packaging to be made of recyclable paper or other material starting July 1, 2012.

- Assembly Bill 820 by Assemblywoman Betty Karnette, D-Long Beach, which would bar vendors from distributing food or drinks in foam containers in state office buildings starting Jan. 1, 2009.

- Assembly Bill 258 by Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, D-Burbank, which would introduce a state program to regulate the discharge of plastic pellets used to make plastic products into rivers and streams.

"Our beaches and coastline are among California's most precious public resources," Feuer said. "California beach-related tourism alone contributes more than $70 billion to the economy and creates nearly 1 million jobs."

Steve Aceti, executive director for the Encinitas-based California Coastal Coalition, said the organization that represents coastal cities and counties backs the legislation. But he said it is too narrowly focused on the type of products that are manufactured; it does not address the sloppy habits of beachgoers and people who live near waterways.

Aceti said a well-funded, well-publicized statewide public awareness campaign could drive home the point that people need to do their part to prevent trash from reaching the ocean.

Danielle Miller, outreach director for San Diego Coastkeeper, which also backs the package of legislation, said litter is an ongoing problem judging by the results of twice-monthly cleanups around the county.

Miller said, for example, that crews picked up 230 pounds of trash at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas on Jan. 13 and 300 pounds at South Carlsbad State Beach on Feb. 10.

"All that stuff eventually ends up in the ocean and harms the wildlife," Miller said.

-- Contact staff writer Dave Downey at (760) 740-5442 or ddowney@nctimes.com.

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