Sea life riding tide of plastic

HUNDREDS of species are surfing to new continents on rafts of plastic junk in a threat to native marine life.

Starfish, mussels, crabs and even iguanas can live on floating debris for years.

And researchers say 400 breeds have crossed the Pacific Ocean to the US since Japan’s 2011 tsunami.

Prof Jim Carlton said: “That was one of the eyebrow-raising things – how many survived.”

■ Scientists have found a way to turn plastic bags into phone battery chips.