Plastic Bag Free Torquay – Jack Perry

A few weeks ago, I became an ambassador for the Plastic Bag Free Torquay campaign. Plastic litter is a major problem everywhere, but in a marine environment it is devastating.

The Southern Ocean has been my backyard my whole life. I’ve surfed all over the world and plastic litter is becoming something I’ve noticed more and more at every beach – even here. Some of it comes from ships that dump their litter straight into the ocean, but over half of it comes from land – it’s ours.

Plastic bags are particularly bad. They blow around easily, out of their landfill “home”, find their way into waterways and ultimately the sea. Plastic does not break down in water. Even biodegradable bags stay intact. And these bags look like food to birds, fish and sea mammals. When ingested, plastic leads to a slow, painful death through starvation and when the animal dies and breaks down, the plastic is released to kill again. It sucks.

So next time you’re at the shops and pick up some new gear, say no to the bag that’s offered. Tell them you surf and you support a plastic bag free Torquay. Check them out on facebook and www.plasticbagfreetorquay.org.au.
JP.

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About the Author

Jack Perry Jack had a stellar junior surfing career in Victoria, winning every contest imaginable. He has since gone onto big things on the WQS, the most notable of these his 2nd place finish at the in the 4 star rated HIC Hawaiian Pro, at Sunset Beach late in 2010. Born with a great business pedigree, Jack is one of the men behind MODOM, a fast growing Surfboard Traction company. Fiercely proud of his home town of Jan Juc, Jack loves competing for the Torquay Boardriders Club and plays a key role in youth development in the area. PISBTW and Championship Moves ambassador.