Ocean Pollution: Fishermen's Adversity And Challenges

Fishermen are affected by ocean pollution in several ways. Firstly, pollution can contaminate fish stocks, making them unsafe for human consumption and disrupting the food chain. Secondly, pollution can damage fishing equipment and vessels, impacting the livelihoods of fishermen. Additionally, pollution can lead to the decline of fish populations, reducing the catch for fishermen. Furthermore, pollution can affect the health of marine ecosystems, including coral reefs and sea grass beds, which are vital habitats for fish. The issue of ocean pollution is complex and requires collective efforts to address it effectively.

Commercial fishing gear is a major source of ocean plastic pollution, with nets and ropes making up a large fraction

Commercial fishing gear is a significant source of ocean plastic pollution, with nets and ropes constituting a substantial portion. This issue is exemplified in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, where tens of thousands of tonnes of plastic debris, including a large fraction of fishing equipment, are dispersed across millions of square kilometres. A 2019 oceanographic mission in this area collected over 6,000 hard plastic pieces larger than 5 cm, with a subsequent analysis revealing that most of the floating material originated from fishing activities.

Fishing nets and ropes, along with hard plastic objects and fragments, contribute to the plastic pollution in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. This pollution poses a severe threat to marine life, entangling and suffocating various species, including sea turtles, seabirds, and whales. The issue of lost and abandoned fishing gear, often referred to as "ghost gear," is not limited to a specific region but has global ramifications.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area of plastic accumulation in the North Pacific, further illustrates the magnitude of the problem. It is estimated that 42,000 tonnes of megaplastics in this region are composed of fishing nets, accounting for 86% of the total. Additionally, a study of the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" found that 46% of the 79,000 tonnes of ocean plastic was made up of fishing nets, some as large as football fields.

The impact of commercial fishing gear on ocean plastic pollution extends beyond the immediate physical presence of nets and ropes. It includes the indirect effects on marine ecosystems and the disruption of biodiversity. The plastic debris provides a vector for the transportation of invasive species, threatening the ecological balance in different parts of the ocean.

Addressing the issue of commercial fishing gear as a source of ocean plastic pollution requires a multifaceted approach. While international action and cooperation among major fishing nations are necessary, individual consumers also have a role to play. Reducing or eliminating fish from diets can significantly decrease the demand for commercial fishing, thereby mitigating the environmental impact of this industry.

Abandoned fishing gear can damage coral reefs, grass beds, and salt marshes, and harm marine life through ghost fishing

Abandoned fishing gear can wreak havoc on marine ecosystems, inflicting damage on coral reefs, grass beds, and salt marshes while posing a severe threat to marine life through ghost fishing. This issue is a pressing concern for fishermen, as it not only undermines their trade but also requires their active participation in mitigation efforts.

Coral reefs, grass beds, and salt marshes are vital habitats for a multitude of marine species, and abandoned fishing gear poses a significant threat to these delicate ecosystems. When nets, ropes, and other fishing equipment are left behind, they can entangle and smother these habitats, hindering the movement and growth of organisms within them. The impact of this damage can be seen in the Maldives, where ghost nets have been found smothering coral reefs and endangering the local marine life.

Ghost fishing, a process where abandoned gear continues to trap marine animals, is a major consequence of discarded fishing equipment. This phenomenon affects a wide range of species, including sharks, rays, manatees, bony fish, sea turtles, dolphins, whales, crustaceans, and seabirds. These animals often suffer life-threatening injuries, starvation, or exhaustion as they struggle to free themselves. The ingestion of hooks, lines, and nets further exacerbates the problem, causing perforations, obstructions, sepsis, and toxicity.

The impact of abandoned fishing gear extends beyond the direct harm to marine life and their habitats. It also has economic repercussions, particularly for fishermen. A single discarded net can result in substantial financial losses for fishermen, as it continues to catch valuable seafood species, leading to declining catches and revenue. This issue is not limited to a specific region but is a global concern, with ocean currents carrying ghost gear across borders and affecting fisheries worldwide.

To address this challenge, initiatives like the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) are working towards finding sustainable solutions. The GGGI aims to reduce the environmental and economic impacts of ghost gear by promoting proper disposal methods and recycling old nets into new products. Additionally, educational programs and policy changes are being implemented to prevent gear loss and raise awareness about the issue.

Fishermen play a crucial role in tackling this problem. By adopting better disposal practices, repairing and cleaning nets regularly, and supporting conservation efforts, they can help minimize the occurrence of abandoned fishing gear and its detrimental effects on marine life and ecosystems.

Toxins and chemical pollutants from fishing gear can be harmful to marine habitats and the food web

Fishing gear abandoned in the water can damage coral reefs, grass beds, and salt marshes—crucial habitats and food sources for marine life. In addition, this equipment can release toxins and chemical pollutants that are harmful to the habitats and the entire marine food web.

Fishing gear is a major contributor to plastic waste in the ocean. A study by The Ocean Cleanup found that 75% to 86% of the plastic waste in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch comes from offshore fishing activity. The majority of this fishing gear originates from the United States, China, Japan, and Korea. These nations are also the principal producers of the fishing waste found in the North Pacific subtropical gyre, which is covered with tens of thousands of tonnes of floating plastic debris.

Fishing gear can leach toxins and chemicals that are harmful to marine life. For example, toxins from fishing gear can contaminate the water and be absorbed by fish and other marine organisms, leading to health issues and even death. These toxins can also accumulate in the food chain through a process called bioaccumulation, resulting in larger, older fish having higher levels of contaminants.

In addition, when fishing gear breaks down, it turns into microplastics that can be ingested by marine species. These microplastics can obstruct the digestive system, leading to starvation and death. Microplastics can also absorb and release toxic chemicals, further contaminating the water and impacting the health of marine organisms.

The impact of toxins and chemical pollutants from fishing gear is not limited to marine life. Contaminants can enter the human food chain when people consume contaminated seafood. For example, mercury is a common contaminant in fish that can cause nervous system problems and adverse effects on the cardiovascular system in adults. It can also impact fetal development, with babies born to mothers with high mercury levels potentially experiencing slower development and learning difficulties.

Microplastics from degraded fishing gear are consumed by fish and other marine species

Microplastics are a significant concern for marine life and human health. They are defined as plastic particles under 5 mm in size, and can be further categorised into primary and secondary microplastics. Primary microplastics are plastic particles that were purposefully produced to be small, such as resin pellets or microbeads. Secondary microplastics, on the other hand, are the result of the breakdown of larger plastic items due to weathering and disintegration.

This issue is particularly pertinent to the fishing industry, as industrialised fishing nations have been identified as major contributors to floating plastic pollution in the ocean. A study by The Ocean Cleanup found that 75-86% of plastic waste in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch came from offshore fishing activity, with the majority originating from the US, China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula.

Microplastics in the Marine Environment

Microplastics are ubiquitous in the marine environment and can be found in sediment, on the sea surface, in the water column, and in the bodies of various marine organisms. They vary in size, shape, and chemical composition, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common types found in the ocean. These plastics can be found floating on the surface or sinking to the seafloor, depending on their density.

Impact on Marine Life and Humans

The presence of microplastics in the marine environment poses a significant threat to marine life and, by extension, human health. Marine animals across different trophic levels, including mammals, fish, invertebrates, and birds, have been found to ingest microplastics. This ingestion can lead to physical and chemical toxicity, with evidence of hepatic stress, endocrine disruption, and behavioural alterations observed in controlled laboratory experiments.

Furthermore, microplastics can act as vectors for the transportation of invasive species and chemicals, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These chemicals have a higher affinity for plastic than water and can bioaccumulate in animals, leading to potential toxic effects.

Impact on Fishermen

The ingestion of microplastics by fish and other marine species has direct implications for fishermen and the fishing industry. As consumers become more aware of the presence of microplastics in seafood, there may be a decrease in demand for certain types of fish or seafood. This could have economic consequences for fishermen and fishing communities, particularly in regions heavily dependent on the fishing industry.

Additionally, the presence of microplastics in fish can also impact the health of fishermen and their communities. While the human body can excrete microplastics, there is still a risk of physical and chemical toxicity. Microplastics have been linked to increased inflammatory response, cellular proliferation, and potential disruption of the gut microbiome. The impact of chronic exposure to microplastics and their associated chemicals is not yet fully understood and requires further research.

Microplastics from degraded fishing gear and other sources have a significant impact on marine life and human health. Fish and other marine species ingest these microplastics, which can lead to physical and chemical toxicity. This, in turn, affects the fishing industry and the health of fishermen and their communities. Addressing microplastic pollution requires a multifaceted approach, including improved waste management, extended producer responsibility, and the development of more sustainable fishing practices.

Recreational anglers can contribute to ocean pollution by losing lines and hooks, with over 200 million participating each year

Recreational anglers should be mindful of the potential impact they can have on the environment and take steps to reduce their waste. This can include using biodegradable equipment, avoiding single-use plastics, and being careful when choosing a fishing spot to avoid damaging fragile ecosystems.

In addition to the direct impact of lost gear, recreational anglers can also contribute to ocean pollution through their consumption and waste. Single-use plastics are a major source of ocean pollution, and anglers can reduce their impact by using reusable water bottles, bags, and utensils.

Furthermore, recreational anglers can support initiatives and legislation aimed at mitigating ocean pollution and promote sustainable fishing practices. By working together, anglers can help protect the environments they are passionate about and ensure the long-term health of our oceans.

While recreational anglers may not have direct control over commercial fishing and aquafarming practices, they can still make a difference by supporting sustainable seafood options and reducing their own waste. Educating oneself and others about the impact of ocean pollution on the fishing industry is also crucial in fostering a collective sense of responsibility.

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