Global Garbage Newsletter for July 21, 2014 Marine litter (marine debris) and plastic pollution *** dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12601-014-0015-8 Yong Chang Jang, Jongmyoung Lee, Sunwook Hong, Jong Su Lee, Won Joon Shim, Young Kyoung Song Sources of plastic marine debris on beaches of Korea: More from the ocean than the land Ocean Science Journal June 2014, Volume 49, Issue 2, pp 151-162 Abstract Reduction of marine debris requires knowledge of its sources. Sources of plastic marine debris found on six beaches of Korea were estimated. Samples larger than 25 mm were collected from 10 quadrats of 5 × 5 m for each beach in spring 2013. The total 752 items (12,255 g) of debris comprised fiber and fabric (415 items, 6,909 g), hard plastic (120 items, 4,316 g), styrofoam (93 items, 306 g), film (83 items, 464 g), foamed plastic other than styrofoam (21 items, 56 g), and other polymer (20 items, 204 g). With the probable sources allocated to each of 55 debris types, the source of 56% of all the collected debris appeared to be oceanbased and 44% was land-based. Priorities of policy measures to reduce marine debris should be different from regions to regions as the main sources of debris may differ. *** Courtney Arthur, Ariana E. Sutton-Grier, Peter Murphy, Holly Bamford, Out of sight but not out of mind: Harmful effects of derelict traps in selected U.S. coastal waters, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Available online 17 July 2014, ISSN 0025-326X, dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.06.050. (sciencedirect/science/article/pii/S0025326X14004305) Abstract: There is a paucity of data in the published literature on the ecological and economic impacts of derelict fishing traps (DFTs) in coastal ecosystems. We synthesized results from seven NOAA-funded trap fisheries studies around the United States and determined that DFT-caused losses to habitat and harvestable annual catch are pervasive, persistent, and largely preventable. Based on this synthesis, we identified key gaps to fill in order to better manage and prevent DFTs. We conclude with suggestions for developing a U.S. DFT management strategy including: (1) targeting studies to estimate mortality of fishery stocks, (2) assessing the economic impacts of DFTs on fisheries, (3) collaborating with the fishing industry to develop solutions to ghost fishing, and (4) examining the regional context and challenges resulting in DFTs to find effective policy solutions to manage, reduce, and prevent gear loss. Keywords: Marine debris; Derelict fishing gear; Fishery management; Marine pollution *** Yong Chang Jang, Jongmyoung Lee, Sunwook Hong, Jin Yong Mok, Kyoung Shin Kim, Yun Jeong Lee, Hyun-Woo Choi, Hongmook Kang, Sukhui Lee, Estimation of the annual flow and stock of marine debris in South Korea for management purposes, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Available online 16 July 2014, ISSN 0025-326X, dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.06.021. (sciencedirect/science/article/pii/S0025326X14004019) Abstract: The annual flow and stock of marine debris in the Sea of Korea was estimated by summarizing previous survey results and integrating them with other relevant information to underpin the national marine debris management plan. The annual inflow of marine debris was estimated to be 91,195 tons [32,825 tons (36% of the total) from sources on land and 58,370 tons (64%) from ocean sources]. As of the end of 2012, the total stock of marine debris on all South Korean coasts (12,029 tons), the seabed (137,761 tons), and in the water column (2451 tons) was estimated to be 152,241 tons. In 2012, 42,595 tons of marine debris was collected from coasts, seabeds, and the water column. This is a very rare case study that estimated the amount of marine debris at a national level, the results of which provide essential information for the development of efficient marine debris management policies. Keywords: Marine debris; Flow; Stock; Amount; Management; Korea *** Itsuki C. Handoh, Toru Kawai, Modelling exposure of oceanic higher trophic-level consumers to polychlorinated biphenyls: Pollution ‘hotspots’ in relation to mass mortality events of marine mammals, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Available online 9 July 2014, ISSN 0025-326X, dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.06.031. (sciencedirect/science/article/pii/S0025326X14004111) Abstract: Marine mammals in the past mass mortality events may have been susceptible to infection because their immune systems were suppressed through the bioaccumulation of environmental pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). We compiled mortality event data sets of 33 marine mammal species, and employed a Finely-Advanced Transboundary Environmental model (FATE) to model the exposure of the global fish community to PCB congeners, in order to define critical exposure levels (CELs) of PCBs above which mass mortality events are likely to occur. Our modelling approach enabled us to describe the mass mortality events in the context of exposure of higher-trophic consumers to PCBs and to identify marine pollution ‘hotspots’ such as the Mediterranean Sea and north-western European coasts. We demonstrated that the CELs can be applied to quantify a chemical pollution Planetary Boundary, under which a safe operating space for marine mammals and humanity can exist. Keywords: Chemical pollution; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Multi-media model; Mortality events of marine mammals; Critical exposure level; Planetary Boundaries Note to users: Corrected proofs are Articles in Press that contain the authors corrections. Final citation details, e.g., volume and/or issue number, publication year and page numbers, still need to be added and the text might change before final publication. Although corrected proofs do not have all bibliographic details available yet, they can already be cited using the year of online publication and the DOI , as follows: author(s), article title, Publication (year), DOI. Please consult the journals reference style for the exact appearance of these elements, abbreviation of journal names and use of punctuation. When the final article is assigned to an volumes/issues of the Publication, the Article in Press version will be removed and the final version will appear in the associated published volumes/issues of the Publication. The date the article was first made available online will be carried over. *** youtu.be/lrDqe_Qp6XM Interactive panel discussion on utility and feasibility of cleaning up ocean plastics Streamed live on 18 Jul 2014 Featuring Marcus Eriksen (5 Gyres), Boyan Slat (The Ocean Cleanup), and Nick Mallos (Ocean Conservancy) In this interactive panel discussion, three experts on ocean plastics will discuss the utility and feasibility of marine debris cleanup, and will take audience questions: Marcus Eriksen is co-founder and Research Director of the 5 Gyres Institute (5gyres.org), which conducts research worldwide on plastic pollution in the five subtropical gyres and coastal hotspots. He just completed an expedition from Bermuda to Iceland conducting dozens of surface net tows along the way. He describes himself as an open-minded skeptic when it comes to ocean cleanup efforts. Boyan Slat is the 19-year-old founder and President of The Ocean Cleanup (theoceancleanup), an initiative to develop the worlds first feasible method of collecting ocean plastics on a grand scale. In June, The Ocean Cleanup announced results of its feasibility study, compiling findings from a team of 100 volunteers and professionals. Boyan has been recognized as one of the 20 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs Worldwide (Intel EYE50). Nick Mallos is Director of the Trash Free Seas Program at Ocean Conservancy (oceanconservancy.org/our-work/marine-debris). Nick has spent the past decade researching the ecological, economic and behavioral components associated with ocean plastic pollution, from the center of ocean gyres to inland waterways. He is inspired by the ocean and by determined people around the globe who are working tirelessly to protect our blue planet. marinedebris.info/chat/interactive-panel-discussion-utility-feasibility-cleaning-ocean-plastics *** exeter.ac.uk/news/featurednews/title_403098_en.html Date: 18 July 2014 Microplastics worse for crabs and other marine life than previously thought, study shows The tiny plastic particles polluting our seas are not only orally ingested by marine creatures, but also enter their systems through their gills, according to a new study led by the University of Exeter. Scientists also discovered that when microplastics are drawn in through this method they take over six times longer to leave the body compared with standard digestion. Lead author Dr Andrew Watts of Biosciences at the University of Exeter said: “Many studies on microplastics only consider ingestion as a route of uptake into animals. The results we have just published stress other routes such as ventilation. We have shown this for crabs, but the same could apply for other crustaceans, molluscs and fish – simply any animal which draws water into a gill-like structure to carry out gas exchange. *** imsg/careers/jobs/ Current Opportunities IMSG offers a wide range of career opportunities and employs all levels of specialized staff. To review the job descriptions for any of the positions listed below, simply click on the link. Be sure to check this web page often for new opportunities. NOA1418 Southeast Regional Marine Debris Coordinator imsg/job/noa1418-southeast-regional-marine-debris-coordinator/ NOA1416 Pacific Islands Marine Debris Assistant Regional Coordinator imsg/job/noa1416-pacific-islands-marine-debris-assistant-regional-coordinator/ *** ust.is/conference-on-plastics-in-the-marine-environment/ Conference on plastics in the marine environment The Environment Agency of Iceland will host a conference on plastics in the marine environment at Silfurberg, Harpa in Reykjavík, Iceland on the 24th of September 2014. The conference has the aim to give an overview of existing knowledge on the issue, and to identify reasonable and effective measures to minimize plastic garbage in the marine environment. Iceland holds the chairmanship of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2014. The conference is a part of Iceland’s chairmanship programme and is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers. *** bbc/news/magazine-28367198 21 July 2014 Last updated at 00:12 GMT The Cornish beaches where Lego keeps washing up By Mario Cacciottolo BBC News Magazine A container filled with millions of Lego pieces fell into the sea off Cornwall in 1997. But instead of remaining at the bottom of the ocean, they are still washing up on Cornish beaches today - offering an insight into the mysterious world of oceans and tides. Let me see if I can find a cutlass, says Tracey Williams, poking around some large rocks on Perran Sands with a stick. She doesnt manage that, but does spot a gleaming white, pristine daisy on the beach in Perranporth, Cornwall. The flower looks good for its age, seeing as it is 17 years old. It is one of 353,264 plastic daisies dropped into the sea on 13 February 1997, when the container ship Tokio Express was hit by a wave described by its captain as a once in a 100-year phenomenon, tilting the ship 60 degrees one way, then 40 degrees back. As a result, 62 containers were lost overboard about 20 miles off Lands End - and one of them was filled with nearly 4.8m pieces of Lego, bound for New York. *** vimeo/98018405 The Big Pick from Bryony Stokes Thursday, June 12, 2014 5:34 AM Follow the Rame Peninsula beach cleaners as they attempt to pick up every piece of rubbish from a small cove, sort it and count it.... and see how long it takes to fill up again. Rame Peninsula Beach Care is holding a conference on marine plastic pollution at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth on July 21. To register to attend please email [email protected] *** blog.oceanconservancy.org/2014/07/17/the-five-myths-and-truths-about-plastic-pollution-in-our-ocean/ The Five Myths (and Truths) About Plastic Pollution in Our Ocean Posted On July 17, 2014 by Nick Mallos As the Director of Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas Program, I’ve had the opportunity to meet people who care about the ocean and are making a difference for the communities that depend on it. However, I’m always surprised by the number of misconceptions about ocean plastics. With many people visiting the beach this summer, not to mention all the coverage that ocean plastics has received recently, it’s a great opportunity to clear up some of these myths: *** itsaplasticworld/projekt/ In my holidays I saw a secluded beach that was littered with plastic waste. I asked myself how this could be possible. Back home, I began to fathom the causes of this. The problem is that the ocean is completely polluted with plastic. A lot of plastic is washed up on beaches worldwide. This and many other bad facts led me to make my degree movie about the material plastic and its follow far-reaching. It took weeks collecting facts, writing a story and draw a storyboard. After four months production time the movie is finished. With two excellent speakers and a nice music, made by Alexander Rösch, I’m very proud to present you “It’s a plastic world”. Many NGO’s like Greenpeace, WWF or PlasticOceans endorsed the movie und spread it too. I’m very glad for everyone who will spread the movie!! If you want to know more about as the movie originated, please watch the Making-Of below. *** vimeo/100698319 Making of Its a plastic world from Its a plastic world Monday, July 14, 2014 7:24 AM This is the Making Of *** vimeo/100694882 Its a plastic world - English from Its a plastic world Monday, July 14, 2014 6:29 AM Its everywhere. We need and want it. We find it in places where we wouldnt expect it. A world without plastic is inconceivable. But do we know the consequences of our self-indulgent plastic consumption? This film shows various problems associated with plastic and looks at possible solutions. *** vimeo/100693751 Its a plastic world - German von Its a plastic world Montag, 14. Juli 2014 06:09 Es ist überall. Wir brauchen und wollen es. Wir finden es an Orten, wo wir es niemals vermuten würden. Eine Welt ohne Plastik ist nicht vorstellbar. Doch kennen wir die Konsequenzen unseres masslosen Plastikkonsums? Dieser Film zeigt verschiedene Probleme im Zusammenhang mit Plastik auf und geht auf mögliche Lösungenvorschläge ein. *** news.nationalgeographic/news/2014/07/140715-ocean-plastic-debris-trash-pacific-garbage-patch/ First of Its Kind Map Reveals Extent of Ocean Plastic Theres less than expected on the surface. Scientists are trying to find where in the ocean its gone. By Laura Parker National Geographic PUBLISHED JULY 15, 2014 When marine ecologist Andres Cozar Cabañas and a team of researchers completed the first ever map of ocean trash, something didnt quite add up. Their work, published this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, did find millions of pieces of plastic debris floating in five large subtropical gyres in the worlds oceans. But plastic production has quadrupled since the 1980s, and wind, waves, and sun break all that plastic into tiny bits the size of rice grains. So there should have been a lot more plastic floating on the surface than the scientists found. Our observations show that large loads of plastic fragments, with sizes from microns to some millimeters, are unaccounted for in the surface loads, says Cozar, who teaches at the University of Cadiz in Spain, by e-mail. But we dont know what this plastic is doing. The plastic is somewhere—in the ocean life, in the depths, or broken down into fine particles undetectable by nets. *** ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/newsalert.htm 17 July 2014 Issue 381 Industry may not be paying its way in packaging waste management Many EU businesses are failing to cover the net cost of recycling packaging waste, new research suggests. Industry is required to take responsibility for treating and recycling waste packaging in the EU; however, this study shows that producers in France, Portugal and Romania do not fully cover waste management costs. ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/381na1_en.pdf *** abc7/news/floating-islands-of-plastic-in-pacific-cause-concern/191105/ FLOATING PLASTIC ISLANDS OF DEBRIS IN PACIFIC CAUSE CONCERN By Rudabeh Shahbazi Tuesday, July 15, 2014 LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- Researchers released new images of islands of plastic debris floating in the Pacific, and fear the problem is growing. Algalita Marine Research Institute scientists discovered the first Great Pacific Garbage Patch more than a decade ago. Back out to sea again, theyre not liking what theyre seeing. They found a lot more plastic farther away from the area thats called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch than theyve ever seen. So they ran across it sooner than they expected, and it was a lot of debris, said Algalita Executive Director Marieta Francis. *** deepseanews/2014/07/the-ocean-cleanup-part-1-alternatives-to-reduce-ocean-plastic/ POSTED ON JULY 14, 2014 BY KIM MARTINI The Ocean Cleanup, Part 1: Alternatives to reduce ocean plastic This is the first of two-part post. This installment is written by Kim, who will present alternatives to the Ocean Cleanup project to help curb the problem of plastic pollution in the oceans. The second installment is a technical review of the Ocean Cleanup feasibility study and is a collaboration between Kim and Miriam . Last year, Deep Sea News reviewed the Ocean Cleanup project. The brain child of Boyan Slat, he claimed that his design could clean the ocean of plastic in 10 years. At the time the project was just a concept. It was a concept that we found had serious potential problems. As is explained in the technical review, we still think it has a lot of problems. We can all agree here, we WANT to see plastic in the ocean cleaned up. But it isn’t an easy job and right now there isn’t a catch-all solution. Therefore, I’ve assembled a list of organizations that are actively trying to reduce ocean plastic, and suggestions on how you can help facilitate positive change. Because ocean plastic is a big problem that needs a big solution, and we need to work together on multiple fronts to solve it. *** deepseanews/2014/07/the-ocean-cleanup-part-2-technical-review-of-the-feasibility-study/ POSTED ON JULY 14, 2014 BY KIM MARTINI The Ocean Cleanup, Part 2: Technical review of the feasibility study INTRODUCTION This is the second of a two-part post. In the first installment, Kim presented alternatives to this project. This installment is a collaboration between Kim and Miriam. Dr. Kim Martini is a physical oceanographer who has been involved in the deployment of a variety of deep sea oceanographic moorings. Dr. Miriam Goldstein is a biological oceanographer who has studied the ecological impacts of plastic pollution in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Last year, we reviewed the Ocean Cleanup project. This project was created by 19-year-old engineering student Boyan Slat, who was drawn to the idea after encountering plastic pollution in the Mediterranean. In the first draft of the project which was presented through conceptual renderings and a TEDx talk, Mr. Slat claimed that his design could clean the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre of plastic in 10 years. This garnered substantial publicity, causing us to write a lighthearted review of the project pointing out serious technical concerns. In response, Boyan assured us and other critics that these critiques would be addressed in an feasibility study. That feasibility study was released on June 3, 2014. Originally, we had decided not to engage with this project again, since being a naysayer is neither fun nor professionally rewarding [1]. However, we have decided to team up to conduct a serious technical review of the feasibility study for the following reasons: *** theguardian/environment/2014/jul/15/plastic-bag-use-rises-for-fourth-year Plastic bag use rises for fourth year More than 8bn single use plastic bags given away in UK supermarkets in 2013, figures from waste programme show Adam Vaughan The Guardian, Tuesday 15 July 2014 10.01 BST The number of plastic bags given out in UK supermarkets has risen for the fourth year running, to 8.3bn bags a year, official figures show. The rising consumption comes ahead of a 5p charge in England that will be introduced in 2015 after the general election, and a 5p charge in Scotland due to come into force this autumn. Retailers in Wales reported reductions in such single use bags of up to 96% following the successful implementation of a 5p charge there in 2011 that goes to charities including Keep Wales Tidy and the RSPB. Data published on Tuesday by the governments waste programme, Wrap, shows an increase of 3% in the number of bags given away at supermarkets between 2012 and 2013. *** wrap.org.uk/content/wrap-publishes-new-carrier-bag-use-figures-0 WRAP publishes new carrier bag use figures 15th July 2014 Data published today by WRAP shows that 8.3 billion thin-gauge* (single-use) bags were used in 2013 by customers of UK supermarkets**. This represents an increase of 3.2% compared with 2012 (8.1 billion), and a decrease of 32% compared with 2006 (12.2 billion), when reporting began. The number of thin-gauge (single-use) bags used per month by supermarket customers increased from 10.6*** in 2012 to 10.8 in 2013. This represents a decrease on the 16.7 bags per customer in the baseline year of 2006. The overall number of bags (which include re-usable bags) issued by supermarkets in 2013 totaled 8.8 billion. This compares to 8.5 billion bags in 2012 and 12.4 billion bags in 2006. These figures represent an increase of 3.2% between 2012 and 2013, and a reduction of 29% since the baseline year of 2006. In 2013, total carrier bags (which include re-usable bags) weighed 67,300 tonnes, compared with 70,400 tonnes in 2012, which represents a 4.4% decrease. Overall there has been a 39% decrease in the weight of carrier bags from the baseline year of 2006. wrap.org.uk/content/wrap-publishes-new-carrier-bag-use-figures wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/Carrier%20Bag%20results%202013.pdf *** youtu.be/TsfcEoeNY74 A Bottles Odyssey Published on 5 May 2014 A Plastic bottle goes on an epic odyssey to find its way back to its owner. Directed by Nik Kleverov. youtube/user/UnepAndYou *** youtu.be/EWqnWXnXURw A odisseia de uma garrafa | PNUMA Publicado em 16/05/2014 Uma garrafa de plástico jogada ao chão começa uma odisseia épica até encontrar o caminho de volta para o seu dono. O filme, lançado pelo Programa das Nações Unidas para o Meio Ambiente (PNUMA), é dirigido por Nik Kleverov. Saiba mais sobre as ações ambientais e de desenvolvimento sustentável em unep.org/portuguese/wed/ e pnuma.org.br/ youtube/user/unicrio *** vimeo/92132180 Your Shoes Are Rubbish from Billy Turvey Wednesday, April 16, 2014 7:42 AM This Project is about the out of sight and out of mind legacy of the modern consumer. Taking the shoe as a prime example: What used to be a hand crafted item made to last and designed to be repairable, now spends an almost insignificant amount of time on the ground doing what it was made for. As soon as the first component on a modern shoe fails, the pair is often discarded. The mass produced shoe is now essentially disposable. After youve finished with them theyre just another (two) piece(s) of rubbish that are likely to still be around long after your own body has decomposed; were all leaving behind ourselves a rubbish legacy. With the development of plastics came a utopian promise to change the world, and change the world it has, plastic has become so materially ingrained in our lives and environment that its becoming increasingly indistinguishable and inseparable from nature. We took this as a starting point and set out to mine this plastic pollution, we collected rubbish from the west and the south coast of England and the banks of the river Thames. Following this we made a pair of shoes out of the rubbish that all our consumer goods are destined to become. A satirical critique of the legacy we consumers leave in our wake. Far from suggesting we all wear shoes made from rubbish, the project is a talking point around which to stage a conversation about the consumerism game we’re all caught up in. everythingisrubbish.co.uk/ charles-duffy/ cargocollective/williamgubbins billyturvey/ *** intothegyre/about/ Into the Gyre is a 45-minute documentary film following the journey of a team of scientists searching for plastic pollution in the remote Saragasso Sea. Run by the Sea Education Association (SEA), an educational institution based out of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, this expedition measured the amount of plastic in the Atlantic Ocean and studied its effects on marine ecosystems, with surprising results. Into the Gyre is scheduled for release in July 2012. youtu.be/lA_CM4txdxk *** ocean180.org/ Welcome to the Ocean 180 Video Challenge! The Ocean 180 Video Challenge, sponsored by the Florida Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE Florida), is designed to encourage ocean scientists to share their discoveries and excitement for research with teachers, students, and the public. We challenge scientists to bring their latest research papers to life in a short video that not only summarizes the important findings but also highlights the relevance, meaning, and implications of the research to persons outside their discipline. Although the videos will be initially judged by a panel of scientists and communication experts, the final winners will be selected by a diverse, and often very critical, group of potential-future ocean scientists – 6th-8th grade students from classrooms around the world. Important dates and deadlines for the 2015 Ocean 180 Video Challenge as well as updated guidelines are now available. To learn more about Ocean 180 and how to get involved, please take a look at the recording of the Ocean 180 Information Session and the Student-Scientists Summit. *** laprensa.ni/2014/07/14/departamentales/203192 Managua, 14 de julio, 2014 Actualizado 09:55 p.m. Tejen plástico para salvar tortugas Mabel Calero / Carazo En este mes ocurren las arribadas masivas de tortugas de paslama en las playas de Chacocente, en Santa Teresa. Antes de llegar a la costa muchos de estos quelonios se asfixian cuando se encuentran en el mar bolsas plásticas, por esa razón un grupo de mujeres realizan una campaña de manera permanente denominada “Tejiendo por la naturaleza”. Hace siete años un grupo de 28 mujeres de las zonas de Aguas Calientes, La Piñuela y el Astillero, miraban la costa repleta de plástico, pero no sabían qué podían hacer. Alma Susana Chávez, coordinadora del proyecto, manifestó que esta campaña que se ejecuta de forma permanente surgió de una necesidad urgente de limpiar las aguas inundadas de plástico, que además de contaminar, están matando a los quelonios que desovan en Chacocente. “La iniciativa inicio en el 2007, Fauna y Flora y GIZ, dos organizaciones que trabajan en la protección de tortugas marinas, verificaron que las bolsas plásticas estaban causando daño a las tortugas, entonces pensamos qué hacer con las bolsas, nos reunimos con las mujeres de Chacocente, donde surgió la iniciativa,” expresó Chávez. *** To be removed from the Mailing List, send an email to [email protected] with the subject REMOVE. To send information to be divulged on the Mailing List, send an email to [email protected] with the subject NEWS. To add some colleague to the Mailing List, send an email to [email protected] with the subject ADD. 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Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 15:08:16 +0000
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