Brian Barton
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue, with a variety of sources contributing to the problem. One significant source is fishing gear, which makes up a large proportion of plastic pollution in the oceans. Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, also known as ghost gear, poses a severe threat to marine life and the environment. It is estimated that ghost gear accounts for at least 10% of total ocean plastics, with a higher percentage for plastics larger than 20 centimeters in size. The issue of ghost gear is particularly prominent in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, where fishing-related plastic waste comprises 75% to 86% of all plastic waste. This waste originates primarily from industrialized fishing nations such as the United States, China, Japan, and Korea. Efforts to address ghost gear include calls for international action, the development of biodegradable fishing gear, and reducing consumption of seafood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastic pollution in the ocean that is fishing gear | 10% of total ocean plastics; 50-100% of plastic debris in certain areas; 75-86% of plastic waste in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch |
| Types of fishing gear contributing to plastic pollution | Nets, lines, pots, traps, ropes |
| Impact of fishing gear plastic pollution | Harmful to marine wildlife, including fish, crustaceans, marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds, and whales; also impacts coastal communities' livelihoods and health |
| Sources of fishing gear plastic pollution | Abandoned, lost, or discarded gear from commercial fishing fleets and industrial fishing nations |
| Solutions to fishing gear plastic pollution | Biodegradable fishing gear, designs that facilitate recycling, reducing seafood consumption, intercepting riverine plastic |
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What You'll Learn
- Fishing gear makes up 50-100% of plastic debris in some ocean areas
- 'Ghost gear' is a major source of ocean plastic pollution
- Fishing gear plastic waste is often overlooked in literature
- Industrialised fishing nations contribute to plastic pollution in the North Pacific
- Plastic pollution impacts fish and fisheries through ingestion, entanglement, etc
Fishing gear makes up 50-100% of plastic debris in some ocean areas
Fishing gear is a significant contributor to plastic pollution in the oceans, with some areas bearing the brunt of this pollution more than others. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), for example, is largely composed of fishing-related plastic waste, with 75-86% of all plastic waste identified as coming from offshore fishing activity. This includes major industrialized fishing nations such as the United States, China, Japan, and Korea, which are the principal producers of the fishing waste found in the GPGP.
Similarly, in the North Pacific subtropical gyre, a large fraction of the tens of thousands of tonnes of floating plastic debris is composed of fishing nets and ropes. This debris is dispersed over millions of square kilometres, with a majority of the floating material stemming from fishing activities.
The impact of fishing gear plastic pollution is not limited to a specific region or area. Lost and abandoned fishing gear, often referred to as "ghost gear," can drift with ocean currents, spreading throughout the ocean. It can wash up on remote islands, entangle coral reefs, and litter the deep seafloor. Ghost gear is estimated to make up 10% of ocean plastic pollution but forms the majority of large plastic littering the waters.
The issue of ghost gear is particularly concerning due to its durability and long-lasting impact on marine life. Nets, lines, pots, and traps can pose a threat to wildlife for years or even decades, entangling and ensnaring everything from small fish and crustaceans to larger creatures such as turtles, seabirds, and even whales. The welfare of individual animals and the interconnectedness between animal welfare and environmental concerns have largely been ignored by the industry, according to Catalina Lopez, Director of the Aquatic Animal Alliance.
To address the problem of fishing gear plastic pollution, various solutions have been proposed. Greenpeace has called for global action and regulation of the fishing industry, while others have suggested the development of biodegradable fishing gear or designs that facilitate the separation and recycling of plastics used by the fishing industry. Reducing the consumption of seafood and supporting sustainable fishing practices can also help curb the demand for large-scale fishing operations that contribute to the ghost gear problem.
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'Ghost gear' is a major source of ocean plastic pollution
Ghost gear is abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, such as nets, lines, ropes, and traps. It is a major source of ocean plastic pollution, with a significant impact on marine life and ecosystems.
Ghost gear makes up an estimated 10% of ocean plastic pollution, but it forms the majority of large plastic littering the waters. It is particularly harmful as it can persist for hundreds of years, continuously entangling and killing marine animals, including fish, crustaceans, marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds. The issue is prevalent in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), where 75-86% of plastic waste is from fishing activities, with major industrialized fishing nations being the principal producers.
A study of the GPGP found that 42,000 tonnes of megaplastics were present, of which 86% were fishing nets. 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, with 60% originating from industrial fisheries. The impact of ghost gear is not limited to a specific location; it has been found on Arctic coastlines, remote Pacific islands, coral reefs, and the deep seafloor.
The under-regulated fishing industry has been called to account for this dangerous waste, with calls for international action to address the issue. Solutions include implementing biodegradable fishing gear, improving gear designs for recycling, and reducing seafood consumption to scale down industrial fishing operations.
Overall, ghost gear is a significant contributor to ocean plastic pollution, with far-reaching consequences for marine life and ecosystems. Addressing this issue requires a combination of policy changes, industry initiatives, and conscious consumer choices.
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Fishing gear plastic waste is often overlooked in literature
Fishing gear plastic waste is often overlooked in the literature due to the challenges in pinpointing pollution sources. However, it is a significant contributor to plastic pollution in the oceans, with abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear such as nets, lines, ropes, and traps making up a large proportion of the plastic waste found in the water. This type of plastic waste, known as "ghost gear," can persist for hundreds of years, continuously entangling and harming marine life and damaging habitats.
The issue of fishing gear plastic waste is particularly prominent in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), where it makes up 75% to 86% of all plastic waste. The GPGP, located in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, is the world's largest accumulation of floating ocean plastic, covering millions of square kilometres. Research has shown that a large fraction of the plastic mass in this region is composed of fishing nets and ropes, with other fishing gear making up a significant portion as well.
Industrialized fishing nations, including the United States, China, Japan, and Korea, are the principal producers of the fishing waste found in the GPGP. The high volume of fishing gear plastic waste in this region is attributed to the large-scale fishing operations conducted by these countries. It is important to note that while river emissions are the largest source of plastic pollution into the global ocean, the GPGP is an exception, with fishing-related plastic waste being the primary contributor.
To address the problem of fishing gear plastic waste, various solutions have been proposed. Greenpeace has called for global action to hold the under-regulated fishing industry accountable for its dangerous waste. The private sector can also play a role by implementing biodegradable fishing gear or designs that facilitate the separation and recycling of plastics used in the industry. Additionally, reducing seafood consumption can help scale down industrial fishing operations, thereby reducing the amount of ghost gear in our oceans.
Overall, while fishing gear plastic waste is often overlooked in the literature, it is a significant contributor to ocean plastic pollution, particularly in specific regions such as the GPGP. Addressing this issue requires a holistic approach that involves international cooperation, industry regulation, and conscious consumer choices.
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Industrialised fishing nations contribute to plastic pollution in the North Pacific
The North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, also known as the North Pacific Garbage Patch (NPGP), is a massive accumulation zone of plastic debris in the ocean. Tens of thousands of tonnes of plastic waste are dispersed over millions of square kilometres in this region. A large fraction of this waste is composed of fishing nets and ropes, while the rest consists of hard plastic objects and fragments.
In 2019, an oceanographic mission retrieved over 6,000 hard plastic items (>5 cm) from the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Subsequent analysis revealed that a majority of the floating material originated from industrialised fishing nations, with five countries identified as the primary contributors: Japan, China, South Korea, the United States, and Taiwan. These nations are major fishing powers in the North Pacific Ocean, and their fishing activities have significantly contributed to the accumulation of plastic pollution in this region.
The issue of "ghost gear," or abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing equipment, is a significant contributor to plastic pollution in the North Pacific and beyond. Nets, lines, pots, and traps used in commercial fishing are often dumped in the sea, endangering marine life. This ghost gear can persist for hundreds of years, continuously entangling and harming marine animals, including turtles, seabirds, and whales. Greenpeace has called for global action to address this issue, urging governments to hold the under-regulated fishing industry accountable for its dangerous waste.
To address plastic pollution in the North Pacific, it is essential to target the sources. While river emissions are the largest overall source of ocean plastic pollution, the North Pacific Garbage Patch is unique in that fishing-related waste constitutes a significant portion of its plastic waste. Therefore, in addition to river emission reduction efforts, tackling fishing gear inputs is crucial for effective cleanup and prevention of further pollution in this region.
Additionally, solutions can be implemented at the manufacturing stage, such as adopting biodegradable fishing gear or designs that facilitate the separation and recycling of plastics used in the fishing industry. The public can also play a role by reducing seafood consumption, which contributes to the demand for industrial fishing operations. By making conscious choices in their diets and supporting sustainable fishing practices, individuals can positively impact the conservation of marine ecosystems and the health of our oceans.
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Plastic pollution impacts fish and fisheries through ingestion, entanglement, etc
Plastic pollution is an accumulation of synthetic plastic products in the environment, which has negative consequences for wildlife, habitats, and human populations. Marine fisheries contribute significantly to this issue through the abandonment, loss, or discarding of fishing gear, such as nets, lines, ropes, and traps. This "ghost gear" can persist for hundreds of years, continuously entrapping and killing marine life, including fish, crustaceans, marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds.
Ghost gear is estimated to constitute 10% of ocean plastic pollution, but it forms the majority of large plastic items in the water. A study of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the world's largest accumulation of floating ocean plastic, found that 75-86% of the plastic waste in this area originated from fishing activities, with fishing nets comprising 86% of the 42,000 tonnes of megaplastics. Another study of the North Pacific subtropical gyre revealed that a large fraction of the tens of thousands of tonnes of floating plastic debris in this region was composed of fishing nets and ropes.
The impact of plastic pollution on fish and fisheries is significant. Ingestion of plastic can lead to health issues and even death for marine organisms. Entanglement in ghost gear, such as nets and lines, can ensnare and harm various marine creatures, including small fish, crustaceans, turtles, seabirds, and whales. The issue of ghost gear is particularly prevalent due to illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, as well as overcrowded fisheries.
To address plastic pollution, a holistic understanding of the various plastic waste streams is necessary. While land-based single-use plastic waste often receives significant attention, fishing plastic waste also substantially contributes to marine plastic pollution. The private sector can play a role by implementing biodegradable fishing gear or designs that facilitate the separation and recycling of plastics. Additionally, reducing seafood consumption and promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly food choices can help reduce the demand for industrial fishing operations and their associated ghost gear.
Overall, plastic pollution, including fishing gear, has detrimental effects on fish and fisheries through ingestion, entanglement, and the disruption of habitats and ecosystems. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that involves various stakeholders and promotes sustainable practices.
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Frequently asked questions
Fishing gear is estimated to make up 10% of ocean plastic pollution but forms the majority of large plastic littering the waters.
Ghost gear is abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, such as nets, lines, ropes, and traps. It is called ghost gear because it can subsist for hundreds of years, continuously harming animals and the environment.
Ghost gear is particularly deadly to marine life. It can entangle and trap wildlife, from small fish and crustaceans to endangered turtles, seabirds, and even whales. It also affects human livelihoods and habitats.
Solutions include implementing biodegradable fishing gear, designing gear that facilitates the separation and recycling of plastics, reducing seafood consumption, and holding the under-regulated fishing industry accountable.
The majority of plastic pollution in the ocean originates from land-based sources, such as single-use plastic packaging. However, fishing gear contributes significantly to marine plastic pollution, especially in offshore regions. Rivers are also a major source of plastic pollution, with emissions from rivers being the largest contributor of plastic pollution into the oceans.
