fbpx
Connect with us

News

An Estimated 1.56 Billion Face Masks Littered In 2020 Are Threatening Our Marine Ecosystem

Published

My Post 2021 09 14T121312.669
Source: Bernama | Twitter

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.

Our oceans cover more than 70% of our planet. And yet, we humans have found a way to completely destroy it by littering.

We’re all too familiar with humans littering plastic bags and food packaging that found their way into our oceans. And now, we’re doing the same with our face masks.

Based on a report by Hong Kong-based marine conservation organization OceansAsia, it was estimated that more than 1.56 billion of the approximately 52 billion face masks produced in 2020 alone have become a threat to marine life.

Mask 1

Most face masks are made from polypropylene, which takes at least 450 years to decompose. Plus, the microplastic material released from face masks will adversely affect the life cycle of fishes when it enters the cavities of marine life.

While we haven’t been allowed to visit beaches for some time due to the lockdowns, we have still found a way to threaten the lives of sea creatures.

Mask 2

And we will be the ones to face the consequences of our actions, as the country’s marine resources are said to only last less than 30 years.

According to Sinar Harian, the Fisheries Department had previously also found that stocks of demersal fish such as mullet fish, kerisi, the lolong bara fish, shrimp and squid have declined to 21,002 tonnes in 2016, as compared to 473,345 tonnes 60 years ago.

Mask 3

And our current actions will only further cause this decline, which will have a domino effect that will also cause seafood prices to increase.

Hence, the least we can do, if we want to be able to enjoy our favourite seafood dishes without having to face skyrocketing prices, is to stop littering and follow the Ministry of Health’s (KKM) instructions on how to dispose of our face masks properly.

Here are their instructions:

  1. Remove the face mask.
  2. Make sure your hands do not touch the outside of the face mask.
  3. Fold the two used face masks.
  4. Roll up the face mask.
  5. Put the face mask in a plastic or paper bag.
  6. Throw the face mask in the rubbish bin.
  7. Wash hands after disposing of the face mask.

What do you think about this? Let us know in the comment section.

 

Also read: Survey Shows Malaysians Don’t Really Care About Climate Change, Ranks Last Among 28 Countries

Climate Changee2

Source: Bernama
Source: Bernama
Source: Bernama

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.



Just In

My Post 1 2024 11 21T114442.032 1 My Post 1 2024 11 21T114442.032 1
News1 hour ago

PDRM is Offering 60% Off Selected Traffic Summons at Govt’s 2nd Anniversary Event This Weekend!

In conjunction with the MADANI government’s 2nd anniversary on 24 November (Sunday), the Ministry of Home Affairs of Malaysia (KDN)...

Collage 17 1 Collage 17 1
News20 hours ago

MCPF Calls for Vape Ban, Warns Addiction to Substances Can Lead to Unhealthy Behaviours Like Theft

The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) is urging for the sale of e-cigarettes or vape devices to be banned or...

Feat Image Lesen Feat Image Lesen
News20 hours ago

Anthony Loke: Road Users in M’sia May Have to Pay for Physical Driving License Cards Starting Next Year

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook today iterated that the Government will continue with the implementation of digital driving licenses...

Collage 15 2 Collage 15 2
News21 hours ago

Filipino Couple Caught Living & Working Illegally in Malaysia Using Fake MyKads That Cost RM250 Each

A Filipino husband and wife were arrested during a raid on November 19 at a house in Pandan Indah yesterday...

Feat Image Apple Ind Feat Image Apple Ind
News21 hours ago

Apple Offers to Increase Investment in Indonesia Tenfold to RM446 Million to Lift Country’s iPhone 16 Series Ban

Previously, we shared how the Apple iPhone 16 Series is banned from being sold in Indonesia until the tech giant...

My Post 1 2024 11 20T144359.263 My Post 1 2024 11 20T144359.263
News22 hours ago

BERSIH Names Ismail Sabri the Best PM Since 2009, Calls Out PMX for Lack of Urgency with Reforms

In conjunction with the upcoming 2nd anniversary (24 November) of Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections,...

Feat Image Ladang Proposal Feat Image Ladang Proposal
News22 hours ago

ADUN Wants Terengganu to Ban All Schoolgirls Who Have Reached Puberty from Public Dance Performances

The Member of the State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Ladang, Zuraida Md Noor, recently called for the Terengganu State Government...

Feat Image Dbp Tun Feat Image Dbp Tun
News23 hours ago

After Tun Mahathir’s Viral Chinese Signboard Rant, DBP Tells M’sians Not to Neglect or Belittle Bahasa Melayu

Previously, we shared how former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad criticised new malls in Kuala Lumpur for having many...

Announcement

Latest Videos



TRENDING TODAY