Maya Ellison
Marine debris is a large and global problem. Huge amounts of plastics, metals, rubber, paper, textiles, derelict fishing gear, and vessels enter the marine environment every day. This makes marine debris one of the most widespread pollution problems facing the world's oceans and waterways. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, for example, is the largest accumulation of plastic in the open ocean, covering an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometers. It is challenging to determine how much marine debris is in the ocean and where it comes from, but it is known to cause widespread harm to ocean life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Waste | Plastics, metals, rubber, paper, textiles, derelict fishing gear, derelict vessels, cigarette butts, plastic bags, food wrappers, bottle caps, paint particles, tyre-wear particles, microplastics |
| Extent of the Problem | Trash has been found in every corner of the ocean, from remote shorelines to the Arctic ice and the deepest parts of the sea floor |
| Amount of Waste | A recent study estimated that there are approximately 171 trillion pieces of plastic floating at the ocean's surface |
| Largest Accumulation | The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest accumulation of plastic in the open ocean, covering an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometers |
| Impact on Wildlife | Marine debris, especially abandoned fishing gear, can continue to capture and kill wildlife, damage sensitive habitats, and interfere with active fishing gear |
| Impact on Humans | Heavy metals and other contaminants can accumulate in seafood, making it harmful for human consumption |
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What You'll Learn
Mismanaged plastic waste
Marine debris is defined as any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or the Great Lakes. Mismanaged plastic waste is a type of marine debris that is not recycled, incinerated, or stored in sealed landfills. It is at risk of leaking into the environment and causing pollution.
The probability that mismanaged plastic waste enters the ocean varies across the world, depending on factors such as the location and length of river systems, proximity to coastlines, terrain, and precipitation patterns. Rivers are the primary conduits through which plastic travels from land to sea. However, not every piece of plastic in a river will end up in the ocean. Many objects sink to the riverbed or get stuck somewhere along the river system. The closer the plastic is to a river, and the closer that river is to the ocean, the greater the chances that the plastic will reach the ocean. Therefore, coastal cities in middle-income countries are the world’s plastic emissions hotspots.
The majority of plastic in the ocean comes from middle-income countries, particularly across Asia, where plastic usage is growing, but a lack of adequate waste management systems presents challenges in dealing with the increase in consumption. Improving waste management strategies is crucial to ending plastic pollution. It is a solvable problem, and making a difference here would do much more to reduce plastic pollution than even considerably reducing plastic production. Even if the world used half as much plastic, we’d still have significant amounts of plastic flowing into our rivers and oceans.
The cost of plastic pollution for governments, tourism, and fisheries is estimated to be up to 19 billion USD. It is a worldwide problem, causing damage not only to the environment but also to human health and economies. Humans produce over 400 million metric tons of plastic annually, and plastic production is projected to keep increasing. While the majority of plastic is disposed of correctly, less than 0.5% of the total amount of plastic produced ends up in the ocean. This is still a massive amount of pollution—over 1 million metric tons.
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Derelict fishing gear
The impact of derelict fishing gear is exacerbated by the use of long-lasting and synthetic materials, such as plastic and metal, in modern fishing gear. These materials can remain in the environment for many years, leading to the accumulation of marine debris. The adverse effects of derelict gear are influenced by factors such as gear production rates, catch weight, fishing ground area, and the transfer of microplastics and toxins into food webs. The highest-risk gear types include gillnets, tuna purse seines, and bottom trawls.
Efforts to address the problem of derelict fishing gear include the NOAA Marine Debris Program, which has been working to remove and prevent marine debris since 2006. The program has been involved in projects such as the Fishing for Energy partnership, which provides fishers with a free solution for disposing of old, derelict, or unusable fishing gear, and community-based marine debris removal projects. Other initiatives, such as the NWStraitsFoundation's Lost Net Reporting, Response, and Retrieval Program, aim to prevent gear from becoming derelict in the first place. These efforts are crucial in mitigating the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of derelict fishing gear.
The extent of the problem of derelict fishing gear in the world's oceans is challenging to determine due to the difficulty in tracing the origin and distribution of marine debris. However, studies and estimates provide valuable insights into the magnitude of the issue. For example, a NOAA-funded study estimated that there are 145,000 derelict crab pots in the Chesapeake Bay, resulting in the loss of millions of crabs and significant economic impacts on fishers. Additionally, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the largest accumulation of plastic in the open ocean, contains a significant amount of derelict fishing gear, contributing to the increasing concentration of microplastics in this region.
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Sewage discharge
Marine debris, which includes plastics, metals, rubber, paper, textiles, derelict fishing gear, and vessels, is one of the most pressing pollution issues facing our oceans and waterways. Sewage discharge is a significant contributor to this issue.
Despite these regulations, sewage discharge remains a persistent issue. In the UK, water companies have been fined for illegally discharging sewage, and there have been efforts to introduce stricter legislation to address the problem. In the US, the Clean Water Act sets out the principal framework for regulating sewage discharges from vessels, and the EPA provides guidelines for recreational boaters to comply with federal vessel sewage regulations.
The impacts of sewage discharge can be far-reaching and detrimental. Sewage discharges can impair water quality, negatively affect aquatic environments, and increase health risks for humans and wildlife. These impacts can be particularly problematic in areas with low-flushing rates, such as marinas, slow-moving rivers, and lakes.
To address sewage discharge and its impacts, a combination of regulatory measures, improved infrastructure, and community-based cleanup efforts is necessary. While regulatory frameworks provide a crucial foundation, it is essential to ensure their effective implementation and enforcement. Additionally, investing in modernizing sewage systems and promoting public awareness and participation in pollution prevention efforts can contribute to mitigating the problem. By addressing sewage discharge through a comprehensive approach, we can help protect and restore the health of our aquatic ecosystems and safeguard human and wildlife health.
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Microplastics
Marine debris is defined as any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment. It is a large and global problem, with items such as plastics, metals, rubber, paper, textiles, derelict fishing gear, and vessels entering the marine environment every day.
One of the most significant issues within the broader problem of marine debris is microplastics. Microplastics are bits of plastic less than 5mm in size, and they have been found everywhere in the marine environment, from beaches to the deepest parts of the ocean. It is estimated that 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year, with nearly a million tonnes of this entering as "primary microplastics", meaning they are already less than 5mm in size.
The small size of microplastics means they can be ingested by marine organisms, and they have been found in 88% of protein food samples tested, including seafood, pork, beef, chicken, and plant-based alternatives. This has raised concerns about the potential health impacts of microplastics on humans in the long term. Scientists are also concerned about how microplastics are impacting ocean life, as they can obstruct a small fish's ability to feed.
There are ongoing efforts to address the issue of microplastics in the ocean. For example, the Marine Conservation Society in the UK is calling for a ban on all intentionally added microplastics under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) program. They are also working with organisations to introduce legislation and policies to reduce microplastics in the ocean and to reduce microfibres from washing machines, which are estimated to contribute 35% of primary microplastics.
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Garbage patches
Marine debris is a large and global problem, with a significant amount of waste ending up in the ocean. This waste includes plastics, metals, rubber, paper, textiles, derelict fishing gear, vessels, and other lost or discarded items. One notable example of the accumulation of marine debris is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), located in the central North Pacific Ocean. It is the largest of the five offshore plastic accumulation zones in the world's oceans and is formed by the North Pacific Subtropical Gyres, which pull debris into one location, often to the gyre's centre. The GPGP is estimated to cover a surface of 1.6 million square kilometres, with more than 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic weighing approximately 100,000 tonnes. The patch is made up of a mix of microplastics and larger items, such as fishing gear and shoes, with about 70% of the debris sinking to the ocean floor.
The GPGP is a result of ocean current dynamics and increased fishing activity in the Pacific Ocean. Synthetic fishing nets made up nearly half of the patch's mass, according to a 2018 study. Other common types of trash in the GPGP include plastic bags, bottle caps, plastic water bottles, and Styrofoam cups. These plastics break down through photodegradation, releasing colourants and chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA), which can have environmental and health impacts. Additionally, plastics can absorb pollutants like PCBs from the seawater, which then enter the food chain when consumed by marine life.
The GPGP is constantly changing shape and location due to seasonal and interannual variations in winds and currents. Its low density, with only four particles per cubic metre, makes it difficult to detect through satellite imagery or by boaters and divers in the area. Despite this challenge, efforts are being made to address the issue. In July 2022, the Ocean Cleanup announced the removal of 100,000 kilograms of plastic from the GPGP using "System 002" and transitioned to "System 03", aiming to remove garbage faster than it is deposited.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is not the only garbage patch in the world's oceans. There are five gyres in the ocean, located in the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean, where garbage patches of varying sizes can be found. These patches are constantly influenced by winds and currents, causing them to change shape and size over time. The formation of garbage patches highlights the urgent need to address marine debris and reduce the amount of waste entering our oceans.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine debris, or waste in the sea, includes plastics, metals, rubber, paper, textiles, derelict fishing gear, and vessels.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest accumulation of plastic in the open ocean. It covers an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometres, an area twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France.
Marine debris comes from a variety of sources, with a majority of it originating on land through littering, poor waste management, storm water discharge, and extreme natural events such as tsunamis and hurricanes.
