Untill someone proves to me a fish cannot puke, I say BS to the whole soft plastic killing fish argument.( Not saying it has not happened ) but I have found everything from small tube jigs, worms, and even a weedless spoon that was puked up by fish in my livewell. They can empty thier stomachs on command. Some fish can even turn thier stomachs inside out, outside thier body cavity, swim along till it is rinsed and then swallow it back in place, I know all billfish have this ability as the sailfish we caught would have thier stomachs on the outside, trying to get rid of the hook and the deck hands would stuff them back down thier gullets before releasing them. < weird stuff to watch for sure.
I am sure a lot of fish and other creatures have been hurt and/or killed by soft plastic, but I would bet fishing line and 6 pack rings and killed more that that.
Peace
CS
Everyone must believe in something, I believe I'll go fishing.