Fishing Lines: Ocean Plastic Pollution's Main Culprit?

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue, with plastic persisting in the ocean for long periods and causing harm to marine life, human health, and economies. While rivers are the primary source of ocean plastic pollution, fishing gear and activities are also significant contributors, particularly in offshore regions. Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, such as nets, ropes, and lines, can entangle and trap marine animals, leading to their injury or death. This gear can originate from commercial fishing fleets or recreational anglers and is often made of plastic polymers. Fishing gear makes up a substantial portion of plastic debris in certain areas of the ocean, with studies showing it constitutes 50-100% of plastic waste in some regions. Therefore, addressing fishing gear inputs is crucial for sustainable cleanup efforts in specific areas like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Abandoned fishing gear

Ghost gear is a term used to describe fishing gear that has been abandoned, lost, or discarded. Gear can be abandoned when fishers cannot retrieve it due to entanglement on reefs, rocks, or other obstructions. It is considered lost when a fisher cannot locate it or has lost operational control, such as when marker buoys detach or tides carry gear away. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing also contribute to ghost gear, as illegal fishers may discard gear to conceal their activities. Intentional discarding of gear can also occur due to a lack of adequate onshore disposal facilities or high disposal costs.

The consequences of abandoned fishing gear are severe and far-reaching. It can result in entanglement and ingestion by marine animals, impacting at least 557 species, including 66% of marine mammals, 50% of seabirds, and all seven species of marine turtles. Ghost gear can also smother and kill many species, including seals, sea lions, and whales. When ingested, it can cause gastrointestinal perforation, obstruction, sepsis, toxicity, and starvation in animals.

Addressing the issue of abandoned fishing gear requires coordinated global action. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is urging governments and businesses to support the establishment of a new global UN treaty on plastic pollution, with binding targets for both land- and marine-based pollution. They are also encouraging countries to join the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, a global alliance of various sectors focused on solving the problem of lost and abandoned fishing gear.

Additionally, there are ongoing efforts to remove abandoned nets from the water, establish gear collection and recycling programs, develop tools for better tracking and recovery of gear, and promote improved gear management and more sustainable fishing practices.

Fishing gear loss

Rivers are the primary source of ocean plastic pollution, but fishing gear is another major contributor. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), an area three times the size of France and the world's largest accumulation of floating ocean plastic, is largely composed of fishing-related plastic waste. Research shows that about 75% to 86% of all plastic waste in the GPGP comes from offshore fishing activity.

There are several reasons why fishing gear is lost or becomes "ghost gear." It can get entangled on reefs, rocks, and other bottom obstructions, conflict with vessels or other fishing gear, or be lost due to bad weather. Extended soak times (when equipment is submerged during fishing), fishing in deep habitats, or deploying excessive gear that cannot be hauled in regularly can also increase the likelihood of gear loss. Intentional discarding, including from illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing, is also believed to contribute significantly to ghost gear in the sea, particularly in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

To address the problem of fishing gear loss, preventative actions are crucial. The private sector can play a role by developing biodegradable fishing gear or designs that facilitate the separation and recycling of plastics used in the fishing industry. Fisheries can also be required to minimize gear loss and mitigate the impact of any losses. Additionally, reducing seafood consumption, including farmed seafood, can help scale down industrial fishing operations and reduce ghost gear.

Overall, while rivers are the main source of ocean plastic pollution, fishing gear loss is a significant and often overlooked contributor, particularly in offshore regions. Addressing this issue through preventative measures and sustainable practices in the fishing industry is essential to reducing ocean plastic pollution and protecting marine ecosystems and wildlife.

Plastic packaging

While fishing gear is a significant contributor to plastic pollution in the ocean, it is important to recognise that plastic pollution comes from thousands of sources worldwide. The issue of plastic packaging contributing to ocean pollution is a critical aspect of this complex problem.

The convenience and versatility of plastic have led to a throw-away culture, with single-use plastics accounting for 40% of the plastic produced annually. These single-use items, such as plastic bags and food wrappers, have extremely short lifespans but can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. As a result, the rapid increase in disposable plastic products has outpaced the world's ability to manage and dispose of them properly.

To address the issue of plastic packaging pollution, it is crucial to improve waste management practices, especially in developing coastal nations. This includes implementing more efficient garbage collection systems, promoting recycling, and supporting organisations working to curb ocean plastic pollution. Additionally, individuals and businesses can play a role in reducing plastic packaging waste by choosing recycled materials, minimising the use of single-use plastics, and supporting companies with sustainable packaging practices.

Furthermore, it is important to recognise that plastic pollution in the ocean is not limited to packaging waste. Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic items, have been found in every corner of the globe, including the ocean. These microplastics can be ingested by marine life, leading to intestinal injuries and death, and can also enter the food chain, potentially impacting human health.

Antifouling emissions

While rivers are the primary source of ocean plastic pollution, fishing gear and activities are a significant contributor to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). The GPGP is a massive circular current that traps floating plastic for decades, if not centuries, and is located in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California. It is estimated to be twice the size of Texas and contains around 100 million kilograms of plastic.

Research has shown that about 75% to 86% of the plastic waste in the GPGP comes from offshore fishing activities. This includes items such as buoys, eel traps, crates, nets, and oyster spacers. Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear accumulates in remote areas of the Pacific Ocean and has severe consequences for marine life.

Industrialized fishing nations, including the United States, China, Japan, and Korea, are the principal producers of fishing waste found in the GPGP. The North Pacific subtropical gyre, in particular, is heavily polluted with fishing nets, ropes, and hard plastic objects.

While the contribution of oceanic sources to plastic pollution is greater in offshore regions, rivers remain the primary pathway for plastic to enter the oceans. Coastal cities in middle-income countries are the world's plastic emissions hotspots due to the combination of increasing plastic consumption and inadequate waste management systems.

Antifouling coatings are essential in minimizing the transfer of non-indigenous species, reducing the need for underwater cleaning, and decreasing ship drag and fuel consumption. However, the use of polymers as binding agents in these coatings has been identified as a source of microplastic pollution in the ocean. Studies have suggested that a significant amount of primary ocean microplastics may originate from ship and yacht coatings.

In summary, while rivers are the primary source of ocean plastic pollution, fishing gear and activities are a significant contributor, especially in the GPGP. Antifouling coatings on ships and yachts have also been identified as a source of microplastic pollution in the ocean. To effectively address ocean plastic pollution, a comprehensive approach is necessary, including the reduction of plastic waste from land-based and oceanic sources.

Plastic waste from industrialised fishing nations

While rivers are the largest source of plastic pollution in the oceans, fishing gear and equipment are also significant contributors. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), for example, is an area in the North Pacific Ocean that has a high concentration of plastic pollution. Research shows that about 75% to 86% of the plastic waste in the GPGP comes from offshore fishing activities, with abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear accumulating in this region. This includes items such as buoys, eel traps, crates, nets, and oyster spacers.

Industrialized fishing nations, including the United States, China, Japan, and Korea, are the principal producers of the fishing waste found in the GPGP. The North Pacific subtropical gyre, in particular, is heavily affected by plastic pollution from these nations. Tens of thousands of tons of plastic debris are dispersed over millions of square kilometers, with a large fraction composed of fishing nets and ropes. This accumulation of plastic poses a significant threat to the biodiversity in this region.

The impact of fishing-related plastic waste is not limited to the GPGP or the North Pacific subtropical gyre. Fishing gear entanglement is the second leading cause of death for the Mediterranean monk seal, and whales have been spotted in the GPGP, indicating their exposure to high quantities of plastic pollution.

To address the issue of plastic pollution from industrialized fishing nations, a two-pronged approach is necessary. Firstly, river emissions, as the largest source of plastic pollution, must be curbed through initiatives such as The Ocean Cleanup's Interceptor™ Solutions, which aim to halt and extract riverine plastic. Secondly, the fishing industry must take responsibility for reducing plastic waste from fishing activities. This includes preventing the loss or dumping of fishing gear at sea and properly disposing of or recycling old fishing equipment.

It is important to note that while fishing activities contribute significantly to plastic pollution in specific regions, such as the GPGP, the overall plastic pollution in the oceans is a complex issue with multiple sources. Increasing consumption, improper waste management, and the widespread use of plastics are significant factors in the global plastic pollution crisis.

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