The Mediterranean Sea: Polluted Paradise

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most waste-polluted seas in the world. A 20-year study by the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer) found that the density of waste in the Mediterranean had more than doubled in thirty years. The Mediterranean is polluted by an estimated 730 tonnes of plastic waste every day, with plastics accounting for 95-100% of total floating litter and more than 50% of seabed litter. The WWF reports that the sea is 87% polluted, with toxic metals, industrial chemicals, and plastic waste being the main contributors.

The Mediterranean Sea is considered a target hotspot for plastic pollution, with microplastics being found on surface waters, beaches, and the deep seafloor. The semi-enclosed shape of the basin, the specific patterns of oceanic circulation, and the densely populated coasts contribute to the sea's high levels of pollution.

Initiatives to reduce and end the problem of marine plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea are being implemented at various levels. However, the governance of this issue is complex due to the nature of microplastics, the transboundary character of the matter, and the increasing levels of plastic production.

Plastic pollution from land-based sources

The Mediterranean Sea is renowned for its rich biodiversity, but it is also the most overfished sea globally. One of the biggest threats to the Mediterranean is plastic pollution from land-based sources. The Mediterranean is polluted by an estimated 730 tonnes of plastic waste every day, with plastics accounting for 80-100% of total floating litter and more than 50% of seabed litter.

The primary land-based sources of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea are tourism activities, a large coastal population, inefficient waste management, unsustainable consumption patterns, and increased plastic use. The Mediterranean countries are the world's number one tourism destination, and waste management facilities frequently experience overload. Most of the waste produced ends up in unprotected landfills and eventually reaches the Mediterranean through stormwater runoffs, wind currents, rivers, and wastewater streams.

The peculiar shape of the Mediterranean Sea and its currents cause the waste from the coastlines to remain inside the sea, accumulating within it. The semi-enclosed shape of the sea also makes it particularly vulnerable to plastics. A World Wide Fund for Nature report from 2019 estimates that around 70% of plastic pollution from water-based sources comes from Egypt, Turkey, and Italy. Land-based sources of plastic pollution are led by Turkey, Morocco, Israel, Spain, France, Syria, Egypt, Albania, Tunisia, and Italy.

Plastic debris is a ubiquitous pollutant on the sea surface, and the Mediterranean is no exception. However, the sea lacks zones of high plastic concentration. Researchers have identified places where large amounts of plastic debris pass through, helping to study plastic dispersion and develop mitigation strategies. These "crossroads" are connected with anthropogenic pollution sites and circulation features transporting the debris. Boundary currents play a pivotal role in determining the location of these crossroads, collecting large quantities of plastic debris released from land and carrying them over long distances.

The impacts of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean are far-reaching. Marine life suffers from entanglement and ingestion of plastics, and microplastics threaten human health and the livelihoods of those depending on fisheries. Plastic pollution also reduces recreational opportunities, affects the aesthetic value of the region, and leads to a loss of tourism revenue.

Marine litter management

The Mediterranean Sea is considered a hotspot for plastic pollution, with plastics accounting for a significant percentage of waste dispersed in its marine and coastal environment. Marine litter management is an urgent necessity to address the significant environmental, economic, safety, health and cultural impacts of this pollution.

To effectively manage marine litter, a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and interactive approach is required. This involves understanding the magnitudes, sources, and impacts of marine litter, as well as its interchange within the marine environment. Here are some specific strategies that can be implemented:

• Source reduction: This strategy focuses on preventing the generation of marine litter and stopping litter from entering the marine environment. It includes reducing plastic input, improving product design, and enhancing waste management infrastructure to prevent plastic waste from reaching the oceans.
• Waste management and recycling: Improving waste management practices and promoting recycling can significantly reduce plastic pollution. For example, recycling facilities can implement measures to identify and process pure black plastic, which is often technically recyclable but not recognised by infrared technology.
• Product design and personal care: Removing plastic microbeads from personal care products and preventing microfibres and plastic fragments from entering wastewater by using filters on washing machines can help reduce plastic pollution.
• Regional cooperation and policy instruments: Regional cooperation through platforms like the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) promotes sustainable development and the protection of the Mediterranean region. Additionally, strengthening and enforcing international, regional, and national regulations that prevent industries and individuals from dumping trash into oceans is crucial.
• Innovation and scientific advancements: Scientific innovations and modelling techniques play a crucial role in monitoring and detecting marine litter. Developing a global digital network of innovators, including inventors, engineers, and social scientists, can foster the creation of effective solutions.
• Education and awareness: Environmental education is essential for raising awareness about the impacts of marine litter and promoting responsible practices among all stakeholders, including industries, governments, and the general public.
• Clean-up campaigns: Intensive clean-up campaigns can be organised to remove existing marine litter using environmentally sound techniques. This can be done in conjunction with monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of the chosen solutions.

Challenges and Complexities

While implementing these strategies, it is important to acknowledge the challenges and complexities of marine litter management:

• Transboundary nature: Marine litter, especially microplastics, can travel across borders, making it difficult to assign clear responsibility for prevention and cleaning.
• Multiplicity of actors: The involvement of various actors, including multiple countries, industries, and stakeholders, complicates governance and coordination.
• Increasing plastic production: The rising levels of plastic production and consumption contribute to the growing amount of marine litter.
• Cost of cleaning: Coastal municipalities may face high cleaning costs, and citizen willingness to contribute financially may vary.
• Lack of awareness: Deficiencies in the enforcement of regulations and a lack of awareness among stakeholders and the general public hinder progress.

Overfishing and illegal fishing practices

The Mediterranean Sea is the world's most overfished sea. Overfishing, along with bottom trawling and plastic pollution, are the most destructive human threats to the Mediterranean.

The Rise of Overfishing

The Mediterranean's overfishing problem began in the 1970s with technological advancements that allowed fishing fleets to travel farther, deeper, and with greater intensity. Today, 1.5 million tonnes of fish are caught annually in the Mediterranean, but catches have been declining over the last two decades due to overfishing. Bluefin tuna, for example, were pushed to the brink of extinction a few years ago due to overfishing.

Illegal Fishing Practices

Illegal fishing practices, such as the use of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) and drift nets, pose a significant threat to the Mediterranean Sea, contributing to overfishing and disrupting marine ecosystems. FADs are man-made structures designed to attract fish by providing shade and creating a habitat. They are often made of floating materials anchored to the sea floor with long lines made of non-biodegradable materials. Once a large number of fish gather under a FAD, fishermen use nets to capture all the fish present, including non-target species and juveniles that have not reproduced, thus severely impacting fish populations and biodiversity.

In 2018, Sea Shepherd's Operation Siso confiscated 52 illegal FADs and 100 kilometers of polypropylene line within 178 hours. In 2021, they removed a record 237 illegal FADs, highlighting the scale of the problem. Drift nets, also known as "walls of death," are another illegal fishing practice. These large nets can stretch for kilometers and are left to float freely in the sea, capturing a wide variety of marine life, including protected species.

Combating Overfishing and Illegal Fishing

Efforts to combat overfishing and illegal fishing practices in the Mediterranean have shown some success. WWF and other organizations launched a campaign to reduce bluefin tuna catches to safe levels, resulting in a remarkable recovery for the species. Sea Shepherd's operations have also been instrumental in removing illegal FADs and confiscating thousands of illegal octopus pots, which have contributed to the recovery of the Mediterranean Monk seal.

To effectively address overfishing and illegal fishing practices in the Mediterranean, political action and international cooperation are needed. Empowering communities, redirecting finance towards sustainable fishing, and implementing long-term management plans for fish stocks are crucial steps towards achieving transformation and ensuring the Mediterranean's rich biodiversity is protected for future generations.

Impact on marine life and ecosystems

The Mediterranean Sea is renowned for its rich biodiversity, but it is also the most overfished sea globally, facing significant threats from illegal fishing practices and plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution is a critical issue, with an estimated 730 tonnes of plastic waste entering the Mediterranean daily. Plastics account for 95-100% of floating litter and over 50% of seabed litter. Single-use plastics make up more than 60% of the total recorded marine litter on beaches. Microplastics, with concentrations exceeding 64 million particles per square kilometre in some areas, are ingested by marine organisms, leading to toxic chemicals in their tissues. These chemicals then migrate up the food chain, eventually reaching humans. Plastic debris also entangles marine animals, causing injury or death, and contributes to the broader issue of plastic pollution as it degrades.

The use of Illegal Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in the Mediterranean is a significant concern. FADs are man-made structures that attract and aggregate fish, leading to indiscriminate fishing methods that capture both target and non-target species, including endangered wildlife and juveniles. This practice severely impacts fish populations and biodiversity. The non-biodegradable materials used in FADs, such as polypropylene, remain in the ocean indefinitely, further contributing to plastic pollution and entangling marine life.

Other sources of pollution in the Mediterranean include chemical contamination, nutrient pollution, and oil spills. Chemical pollution, such as fertiliser runoff from farms, increases nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in coastal waters, promoting toxic algal blooms harmful to wildlife and humans. Oil spills and the discharge of faulty or damaged factories or water treatment systems also contribute to the degradation of the Mediterranean ecosystem.

The impact of pollution on marine life and ecosystems in the Mediterranean is profound. It disrupts food chains, endangers marine organisms through ingestion and entanglement, and contributes to the decline of vulnerable species. The accumulation of pollutants in seafood can also adversely affect human health, highlighting the importance of addressing marine pollution for the well-being of both ecosystems and human populations.

Initiatives to reduce plastic pollution

The Mediterranean Sea is considered one of the seas most affected by marine plastic pollution. It is estimated that the Mediterranean receives about 730 tonnes of plastic waste every day, with plastics accounting for 95 to 100% of floating litter and over 50% of seabed litter. The sea's semi-enclosed shape, cyclonic circulation and currents cause the waste to accumulate within it, making it the "world's sixth greatest accumulation zone" for marine plastic litter.

• The Barcelona Convention and its Protocols: The Barcelona Convention, adopted in 1995, was the first regional treaty aimed at reducing pollution, including marine plastic pollution, in the Mediterranean region. Five out of the seven Protocols of the Convention target various forms of pollution. The Contracting Parties have also adopted two regional plans specifically targeting marine litter, including plastic pollution.
• The Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management (RPML) in the Mediterranean: Adopted in 2013 and updated in 2021, this plan is the first legally binding instrument to prevent and reduce marine litter and plastic pollution, as well as remove existing marine litter using environmentally sound techniques. The 2021 amendments commit the Contracting Parties to taking bold measures, such as using economic instruments, promoting the circular economy, and curbing land-based and sea-based sources of marine litter.
• The Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP): This is a platform for regional cooperation among national, regional, and international actors, civil society, and private industries to protect and enhance the marine and coastal environment while promoting sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.
• The MedProgramme: This programme comprises eight child projects implemented across ten countries: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco, Tunisia, and Turkey. Over 100 coordinated actions will be deployed at regional and national levels over a five-year period (2020-2024).
• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): MPAs can help reduce plastic pollution in the Mediterranean by banning or limiting fisheries, certain tourism activities, the dumping of materials, mining, and the building of harbours and offshore wind farms. However, high levels of plastic pollution, especially microplastics, have been recorded in MPAs in the Mediterranean, and specific initiatives for these areas are awaited.
• The EU Green Deal and the Zero Pollution Action Plan: These key policies aim to reduce waste, marine plastic pollution, and the dispersal of microplastics in European seas, including the Mediterranean.
• The WWF Mediterranean Marine Initiative: This initiative by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) focuses on research, analysis, and projects to address plastic pollution in the Mediterranean.

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