The Fishing Industry's Plastic Problem: An Environmental Concern

The fishing industry is a major contributor to the global issue of plastic pollution. While single-use plastics are often the focus of consumer efforts to reduce plastic waste, it is estimated that abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear makes up 10% of all ocean debris. This includes nets, ropes, and plastic fishing crates, which can lead to the trapping and killing of marine life. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, for example, has been found to contain plastic waste that is 75-86% attributable to fishing activities, with the majority of the gear originating from the U.S., China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula. The impact of plastic pollution on the marine environment and the seafood industry has led to a growing awareness and search for solutions, with some organizations working to clean up plastic waste and others advocating for a reduction in fish consumption to decrease the demand for industrial fishing.

Abandoned fishing gear

Ghost gear includes any fishing gear that has been abandoned, lost, or discarded. It poses a significant threat to marine life, entangling and capturing various species indiscriminately. This includes marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles, and sharks, leading to slow and painful deaths through exhaustion and suffocation. It is estimated that ghost gear impacts 66% of marine mammal species, 50% of seabird species, and all species of sea turtles. The presence of abandoned gear also damages critical marine habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, and the habitats of sessile animals, threatening the sustainability of fisheries and the livelihoods of coastal communities and fishers.

The sources of ghost gear are multifaceted. Gear can be abandoned when it becomes snagged on reefs, rocks, or other obstructions, making it challenging for fishers to retrieve. It can also be lost due to detachment from marker buoys or the influence of tides, waves, or snagging, causing gear to drift from its intended location. Additionally, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities contribute significantly to the problem, as illegal fishers often abandon or discard gear to conceal their operations.

Addressing the issue of abandoned fishing gear requires a multifaceted approach. The Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), a global alliance of diverse stakeholders, aims to tackle the problem through collaboration. This includes working with fishers, government agencies, and other organizations to remove abandoned nets, establish gear collection and recycling programs, develop better tracking and recovery tools, and promote improved gear management and more sustainable fishing practices.

To effectively curb the influx of abandoned fishing gear into the oceans, a combination of measures is necessary. Governments and policymakers play a crucial role in establishing and enforcing regulations, treaties, and international agreements to address plastic pollution from fishing gear. Additionally, the fishing industry itself must take responsibility and work towards improving the sustainability and accountability of its practices. Consumers can also contribute by advocating for change, supporting sustainable fishing practices, and making informed choices regarding seafood consumption.

Single-use plastics

The fishing industry has been working to address this issue by promoting reusable and recyclable alternatives. For example, some companies are encouraging the use of cloth bags instead of plastic ones and offering incentives for customers to return their used fishing equipment for recycling.

One successful example of reducing single-use plastic waste is the non-profit enterprise Enaleia, which has worked with fishers and companies in Greece to promote a circular approach to plastic waste. By providing training and incentives, Enaleia has helped collect and recycle significant amounts of plastic, including fishing nets, which are a major source of ocean plastic pollution.

While efforts to reduce, recycle, and reuse single-use plastics are important, it is also crucial to address the root cause of the problem. The overconsumption of single-use plastics and the lack of proper disposal methods contribute significantly to plastic pollution. Educating consumers about the impact of their choices and providing accessible alternatives can help reduce the demand for single-use plastics and mitigate their environmental impact.

Marine plastic ingestion

Microplastics, in particular, have the potential to affect almost all marine life due to their small size. They can enter the bloodstream through the gut and circulate directly to the cells and tissues of animals. Researchers have found that approximately 30% of autopsied turtles had plastics, including plastic bags, in their intestinal tracts, with an additional 6% dying due to entanglement. Seabirds are also highly vulnerable, with more than 90% predicted to have plastics in their guts by 2050.

The fishing industry is a major contributor to marine plastic pollution, with abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear being the single biggest source of ocean plastic. This includes nets, ropes, FADs (fish aggregating devices), long lines, and plastic fishing crates and baskets. While consumer plastics like cotton earbuds, throwaway cutlery, and shampoo bottles are often blamed for plastic pollution, fishing gear accounts for at least half of the ocean plastic waste.

To address the issue of marine plastic ingestion, it is crucial to focus on reducing the amount of plastic entering the marine environment. This can be achieved by developing alternatives to single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles and bags, and by preventing the use of and properly disposing of fishing gear. Additionally, individuals can contribute by reducing or cutting fish from their diets, as the demand for fish supports the massive fishing industry. By working together, we can help mitigate the impacts of marine plastic ingestion on marine wildlife, human health, and the economy.

Plastic waste dynamics

Firstly, it is important to recognise that the fishing industry's plastic waste extends beyond the plastic items used and discarded by consumers, such as plastic bottles, bags, and single-use utensils. While these consumer plastics are a significant source of pollution, the fishing industry itself generates substantial plastic waste through the use and disposal of fishing gear. This includes nets, ropes, FADs (fish aggregating devices), long lines, and plastic fishing crates and baskets. Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear made up an estimated 10% of all ocean debris and continues to trap and kill marine life, including fish, crustaceans, mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds.

The dynamics of plastic waste in the fishing industry are influenced by various factors, including the scale and practices of industrialised fishing nations. These nations, including China, Japan, South Korea, the USA, Taiwan, and Russia, contribute significantly to floating plastic pollution in the North Pacific subtropical gyre. The high demand for certain fish species, like tuna, has also led to unsustainable supply chain practices, illegal fishing, and overfishing, exacerbating the problem of plastic waste in the industry.

Additionally, the fishing industry's plastic waste dynamics are shaped by the challenges in pinpointing pollution sources. Fishing plastic waste often originates from offshore activities, making it difficult to track and address. This complexity requires a coordinated international response, as the current legal framework addressing marine plastic pollution is fragmented and lacks effective binding instruments.

To effectively manage plastic waste in the fishing industry, a multifaceted approach is necessary. This includes improving marine plastic education for fishers and ocean users, implementing better options for fishing gear to reduce plastic use and disposal, and supporting initiatives that clean up and recycle plastic waste from the oceans. By addressing these dynamics and working together with governments, industries, and consumers, we can make a significant difference in reducing plastic pollution from the fishing industry.

Ocean clean-up

The fishing industry is a major contributor to the plastic waste polluting our oceans. While single-use plastics are often the focus of consumer concerns, it is estimated that abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear makes up 10% of all ocean debris. This includes nets and ropes, FADs (fish aggregating devices), long lines, and plastic fishing crates and baskets. These items continue to trap and kill marine life, including fish, crustaceans, marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds.

The North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, also known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is a prime example of the impact of the fishing industry on ocean plastic pollution. Tens of thousands of tonnes of floating plastic debris, including fishing nets and ropes, are dispersed over millions of square kilometres. A study by Kroodsma et al. in 2018 tracked the global footprint of fisheries and found that industrialised fishing nations, such as China, Japan, South Korea, the USA, Taiwan, and Russia, are major contributors to plastic pollution in this region.

To address ocean plastic pollution from the fishing industry, a two-pronged approach is necessary. Firstly, it is essential to prevent plastic waste from entering the oceans in the first place. This includes finding alternatives to single-use plastics and reducing their consumption, as well as implementing measures to prevent the loss or abandonment of fishing gear. Governments and organisations like Sea Shepherd play a crucial role in enforcing regulations and taking action against illegal fishing operations that contribute to plastic pollution.

Secondly, ongoing clean-up efforts are vital to removing existing plastic waste from our oceans. The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organisation founded by Boyan Slat, is dedicated to this cause. They develop large-scale systems to concentrate and remove plastic waste from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and intercept riverine plastic before it reaches the ocean. Their work emphasises the importance of addressing both land-based and fishing-related sources of plastic pollution for a sustainable impact.

Additionally, consumer education and industry initiatives are important components of the solution. Marine plastic education for fishers and ocean users can promote compliance and encourage stakeholders to make changes to lower their plastic use. Companies and brands are also recognising their responsibility in reducing plastic pollution throughout the product lifecycle. For example, AFTCO is committed to producing products from the sea, for the sea, and supporting ocean and lake clean-up projects.

By combining prevention, clean-up efforts, consumer education, and industry initiatives, we can make significant progress in addressing ocean plastic pollution from the fishing industry and create a more sustainable future for our marine environments.

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