Helena Joyce
Fishing gear, including lines, is a significant contributor to plastic pollution in the oceans. Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, also known as ghost gear, poses a severe threat to marine life, entangling and endangering various species. While rivers are the largest source of plastic pollution in the oceans, fishing gear makes up a substantial portion, with estimates ranging from 10% to over 75% in certain areas. The impact of fishing gear plastic pollution is widespread, with reports of affected wildlife ranging from small fish and crustaceans to whales, seabirds, and turtles. The issue of ghost gear highlights the need for a holistic approach to tackling marine plastic pollution, including the involvement of governments, industries, and consumers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastic pollution in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch that comes from fishing | 75-86% |
| Size of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch | Three times the size of France |
| Location of the fishing waste found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch | United States, China, Japan, Korea |
| Source of plastic pollution into the global ocean | Emissions from rivers |
| Amount of nets, lines, pots, and traps dumped in the sea each year | 640,000 tonnes |
| Number of sea turtles that died off the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, due to entanglement in ghost gear | 300 |
| Location where a pregnant whale was found entangled in ghost gear | Off the Orkney coast |
| Percentage of ocean plastic waste that is made up of fishing gear | 10% |
| Percentage of the decline in some fish populations due to discarded fishing equipment | 30% |
| Percentage of marine animal entanglements that involve abandoned plastic fishing nets | 70% |
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What You'll Learn
- Fishing lines are a major source of ocean plastic pollution
- Abandoned fishing gear is particularly deadly, entangling marine life
- Ghost gear makes up 10% of ocean plastic pollution
- The fishing industry must be held accountable for its plastic waste
- Efforts to tackle marine pollution should focus on fishing gear
Fishing lines are a major source of ocean plastic pollution
Fishing lines and other fishing gear are a major source of ocean plastic pollution. Lost, abandoned, or discarded fishing gear, also known as "ghost gear," makes up a significant portion of the plastic waste in our oceans. It includes nets, lines, pots, traps, ropes, and crates, which can have devastating effects on marine life.
Ghost gear can entangle and ensnare various marine creatures, from small fish and crustaceans to larger animals like turtles, seabirds, and even whales. The impact of ghost gear is not limited to direct entanglement. When small organisms ingest microplastics, the plastics move up the food chain, eventually reaching humans. This process of bioaccumulation results in an exponential increase in the amount of plastic consumed.
A report by Greenpeace estimates that more than 640,000 tonnes of ghost gear are dumped in the sea annually, equivalent to the weight of 55,000 double-decker buses. Another study found that ghost gear makes up 10% of ocean plastic pollution and forms the majority of large plastic littering the waters. In the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area of plastic accumulation in the North Pacific, 86% of the estimated 42,000 tonnes of megaplastics were found to be fishing nets.
The issue of ghost gear is particularly prevalent due to illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing activities, as well as overcrowded fisheries. Major industrialized fishing nations, including the United States, China, Japan, and Korea, are the principal producers of fishing waste found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. To address this problem, international action and collaboration between governments, fishing gear manufacturers, and fishers are necessary to implement improved gear management and more sustainable fishing practices.
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Abandoned fishing gear is particularly deadly, entangling marine life
Abandoned fishing gear is a major source of ocean plastic pollution, with nets, lines, pots, traps, and ropes making up the majority of large plastic waste in the oceans. These plastics originate from industrial commercial fishing fleets and can drift across oceans, washing up on remote islands, entangling coral reefs, and littering the deep seafloor.
Fishing nets, also known as "ghost nets," can continue to entangle marine life for decades, causing indiscriminate killing. More than 70% of marine animal entanglements involve abandoned plastic fishing nets, with approximately 300 sea turtles found dead off the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, as a result of ghost gear entanglement. Other incidents include a pregnant whale entangled in ghost gear off the Orkney coast and a sea lion strangled by fishing gear.
Ghost gear is estimated to make up 10% of ocean plastic pollution, with a recent study of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch finding that 86% of the 42,000 tonnes of megaplastics in this area were fishing nets. Another expedition to the south Pacific found an estimated 18 tonnes of plastic debris on a 2.5km stretch of uninhabited beach, accumulating at a rate of several thousand pieces per day.
The issue of abandoned fishing gear is particularly deadly due to its ability to entangle marine life, including small fish, crustaceans, endangered turtles, seabirds, and even whales. It is important to address this form of plastic pollution through international action and responsible waste management to protect marine ecosystems and ensure the health of our oceans.
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Ghost gear makes up 10% of ocean plastic pollution
Fishing gear, including nets, lines, pots, and traps, is a major source of ocean plastic pollution, with ghost gear estimated to make up 10% of all ocean plastic pollution. Ghost gear, or abandoned fishing gear, is particularly deadly to marine life, as it can entangle and ensnare various sea creatures, from small fish and crustaceans to endangered turtles, seabirds, and even whales. It spreads throughout the ocean on tides and currents, reaching remote areas such as Arctic coastlines, Pacific islands, coral reefs, and the deep seafloor.
The impact of ghost gear on marine life is significant. For example, approximately 300 sea turtles were found dead off the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, due to entanglement in ghost gear. In another instance, a pregnant whale was found entangled in ghost gear off the Orkney coast, with the net impairing its feeding and movement. Ghost gear is also detrimental to fisheries, with an estimated 30% decline in some fish populations attributed to discarded fishing equipment.
The issue of ghost gear in the oceans is a global concern. A study of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area of plastic accumulation in the North Pacific, found that it contained 42,000 tonnes of megaplastics, of which 75% to 86% was fishing-related. Another expedition to the South Pacific's Henderson Island found an estimated 18 tonnes of plastic debris on a 2.5 km stretch of beach, accumulating at a rapid rate.
Addressing the problem of ghost gear requires a multi-faceted approach. Greenpeace and other organizations call for international and governmental action to stop plastic pollution from fishing gear. This includes holding the under-regulated fishing industry accountable for its dangerous waste and implementing measures to prevent further pollution. Additionally, establishing gear collection and recycling programs, developing tools for better gear tracking and recovery, and promoting sustainable fishing practices are crucial steps in mitigating the impact of ghost gear on our oceans.
Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts also have a role to play in reducing plastic pollution. Educating oneself and others about the issue, transitioning to more sustainable fishing gear, and supporting initiatives that remove and recycle abandoned nets are all ways to contribute to the solution. By working together and taking responsibility for our impact on the environment, we can strive to conserve and protect our oceans and marine life for future generations.
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The fishing industry must be held accountable for its plastic waste
The issue is prevalent in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area three times the size of France and the world's largest accumulation of floating ocean plastic. It is estimated that 75-86% of the plastic in this patch originates from fishing activities, with the majority of the fishing gear coming from major industrialized fishing nations such as the United States, China, Japan, and Korea. This waste is not limited to a specific area but spreads throughout the ocean, affecting remote Pacific islands, the Arctic coastlines, and the deep seafloor.
The fishing industry's plastic waste is not just an environmental concern but also a socio-economic one. Coastal communities, whose livelihoods depend on healthy marine ecosystems, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of plastic pollution. It is essential to recognize that plastic pollution in the oceans is not solely due to land-based single-use plastic waste. Fishing gear, including both commercial and recreational angling equipment, contributes substantially to the problem.
To address this issue, a holistic and integrated approach is necessary. Governments must take action to regulate the fishing industry and hold it accountable for its dangerous waste. This includes implementing measures to prevent fishing gear from polluting the oceans, such as establishing gear collection and recycling programs, improving gear management, and transitioning to more sustainable fishing practices. Additionally, consumers can play a role by reducing their use of single-use plastics and supporting organizations working to stop illegal fishing operations and remove abandoned fishing gear from the oceans.
By taking responsibility for their plastic waste and working collaboratively with governments, organizations, and consumers, the fishing industry can help tackle this pressing issue and ensure the conservation of our oceans and the protection of marine life.
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Efforts to tackle marine pollution should focus on fishing gear
While plastic pollution in the oceans is a pressing issue, the efforts to tackle it have primarily focused on land-based single-use plastic waste. However, fishing gear, including nets, lines, pots, and traps, makes up a significant portion of plastic debris in the oceans, with abandoned fishing gear being the biggest plastic polluter. This ghost gear, as it is called, can remain in the oceans for years or decades, entangling marine life and causing decline in fish populations. Therefore, to effectively address marine pollution, efforts must focus on reducing and managing fishing gear waste.
Fishing gear waste in the oceans is a significant contributor to plastic pollution, with estimates ranging from 50% to 100% of plastic debris in certain areas. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, for instance, an area in the North Pacific known for plastic accumulation, was found to contain 42,000 tonnes of megaplastics, of which 75% to 86% was attributed to fishing gear. This waste comes from both legal and illegal fishing activities and is often a result of accidental loss or intentional discardment.
The impact of this ghost gear on marine life is devastating. It can entangle and trap various marine creatures, from small fish and crustaceans to larger animals like turtles, whales, and seabirds. The gear can drift with tides and currents, spreading to remote locations and damaging ecosystems. It is estimated that abandoned fishing gear contributes to a 30% decline in some fish populations, and over 70% of marine animal entanglements involve abandoned plastic fishing nets.
To tackle this issue, a holistic approach is necessary. Governments and organizations must work together to implement measures that prevent fishing gear from becoming marine waste in the first place. This includes improving gear management and promoting sustainable fishing practices. For example, the development and use of traceable fishing gear can help better track and recover lost gear. Additionally, establishing gear collection and recycling programs can help remove and properly dispose of or recycle abandoned gear.
Furthermore, education and raising awareness about the impact of fishing gear on marine pollution are vital. Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts must be informed about the issue and empowered to make changes that reduce their contribution to the problem. This can include simple actions like refusing single-use plastics and properly disposing of waste, as well as supporting initiatives that target fishing gear pollution specifically. By addressing the issue at its source and involving all stakeholders, we can make a significant step towards reducing marine plastic pollution and protecting our oceans and marine life.
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