Global Garbage Newsletter for March 17, 2014 Marine litter (marine debris) and plastic pollution *** Donna Marie Bilkovic, Kirk Havens, David Stanhope, Kory Angstadt, Derelict fishing gear in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia: Spatial patterns and implications for marine fauna, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 80, Issues 1–2, 15 March 2014, Pages 114-123, ISSN 0025-326X, dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.01.034. (sciencedirect/science/article/pii/S0025326X14000356) Abstract: Derelict fishing gear is a source of mortality for target and non-target marine species. A program employing commercial watermen to remove marine debris provided a novel opportunity to collect extensive spatially-explicit information for four consecutive winters (2008–2012) on the type, distribution, and abundance of derelict fishing gear and bycatch in Virginia waters of Chesapeake Bay. The most abundant form of derelict gear recovered was blue crab pots with almost 32,000 recovered. Derelict pots were widely distributed, but with notable hotspot areas, capturing 40 species and over 31,000 marine organisms. The target species, blue crab, experienced the highest mortality from lost pots with an estimated 900,000 animals killed each year, a potential annual economic loss to the fishery of $300,000. Important fishery species were captured and killed in derelict pots including Atlantic croaker and black sea bass. While some causes of gear loss are unavoidable, others can be managed to minimize loss. Keywords: Blue crab; Bycatch; Derelict fishing gear; Diamondback terrapin; Eastern oyster; Marine debris *** Marnie L Campbell, Chloe Paterson de Heer, Amber Kinslow, Littering dynamics in a coastal industrial setting: The influence of non-resident populations, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 80, Issues 1–2, 15 March 2014, Pages 179-185, ISSN 0025-326X, dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.01.015. (sciencedirect/science/article/pii/S0025326X14000162) Abstract: We examined if there is truth to the preconceptions that non-resident workers (including FIFO/DIDO’s) detract from communities. We used marine debris to test this, specifically focussing on littering behaviour and evidence of awareness of local environmental programs that focus on marine debris. Littering was most common at recreational areas, then beaches and whilst boating. Twenty-five percent of respondents that admit to littering, reported no associated guilt with their actions. Younger respondents litter more frequently. Thus, non-resident workers litter at the same rate as permanent residents, visitors and tourists in this region, within this study. Few respondents are aware of the environmental programs that operate in their local region. Awareness was influenced by a respondent’s residency (non-residents are less aware), age, and level of education. To address this failure we recommend that industries, that use non-resident workers, should develop inductions that expose new workers to the environmental programs in their region. Keywords: Marine debris; FIFO; DIDO; Littering behaviour; Plastics; Social licence to operate *** Sarah Baulch, Clare Perry, Evaluating the impacts of marine debris on cetaceans, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 80, Issues 1–2, 15 March 2014, Pages 210-221, ISSN 0025-326X, dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.12.050. (sciencedirect/science/article/pii/S0025326X13007984) Abstract: Global in its distribution and pervading all levels of the water column, marine debris poses a serious threat to marine habitats and wildlife. For cetaceans, ingestion or entanglement in debris can cause chronic and acute injuries and increase pollutant loads, resulting in morbidity and mortality. However, knowledge of the severity of effects lags behind that for other species groups. This literature review examines the impacts of marine debris on cetaceans reported to date. It finds that ingestion of debris has been documented in 48 (56% of) cetacean species, with rates of ingestion as high as 31% in some populations. Debris-induced mortality rates of 0–22% of stranded animals were documented, suggesting that debris could be a significant conservation threat to some populations. We identify key data that need to be collected and published to improve understanding of the threat that marine debris poses to cetaceans. Keywords: Marine debris; Cetaceans; Entanglement; Ingestion; Plastic *** ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/newsalert.htm Science for Environment Policy Issue 365, 13 March 2014 Lugworms harmed by marine microplastic pollution Microplastic pollution impairs the heath of the marine worms that help maintain sediments for other creatures, new research suggests. This study shows that the energy reserves of lugworms living in sediment contaminated with microplastic particles were reduced by up to 50%. ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/365na2.pdf *** dentalbuzz/2014/03/04/crest-imbeds-plastic-in-our-gums/ Crest toothpaste imbeds plastic in our gums Mar. 4th | Posted by Trish Walraven Did you know that polyethylene is the most common plastic in the world? It is used primarily for containers and packaging, such as these bottles and plastic grocery bags, and has been a concern for the environment because polyethylene lasts practically forever and isn’t biodegradable. It only breaks down into smaller and smaller particles until you can’t see it anymore. That’s why a couple of states are trying to ban it in body scrubs and dental products. *** sfenvironment.org/news/press-release/san-francisco-board-of-supervisors-votes-to-phase-out-plastic-bottled-water-on-city-property San Francisco Board of Supervisors Votes to Phase Out Plastic Bottled Water on City Property Publish date: Tuesday, March 4, 2014 Contacts name: Catherine Rauschuber This press release is available in PDF format. sfenvironment.org/sites/default/files/editor-uploads/outreach/press/bos_pressrelease_supervisordavidchiu_phase_out_plastic_water_bottles.pdf *** plastictides.wordpress/2014/03/12/before-the-irish-weather-got-good-it-got-really-bad-and-it-brought-some-plastic-tides/ BEFORE THE IRISH WEATHER GOT GOOD, IT GOT REALLY BAD AND IT BROUGHT SOME PLASTIC TIDES… Posted on March 12, 2014 by plastictides A couple of weeks ago, we were called to assess some stranded animals in Wexford, here in Ireland. As we are looking at the ingestion of plastics by sea birds, we take advantage of stranding events to obtain our samples most of the time. As mentioned here previously, stranding events are common for sea birds, which can be weakened through bad weather, land on beaches and die from starvation. However, as weather gets rough, the tides not only bring weakened animals, but also a huge amount of debris. The pictures you’re about to see emphasize that the marine debris problem is never a local one. Normally, you could go to a beach in Ireland and not find so much trash, but the sea isn’t static and debris travels all over through currents, and such a thing as a pristine beach does not seem to exist anymore. We have impacted the seas greatly and there is no stopping the come and go of the currents. For example, Ireland has banned single-use plastic bags since 2002 and I am absolutely sure we can find some plastic bags on these beaches. Why? Because the sea is not limited to me and you doing our part. Marine debris has become a huge global problem. It involves EVERYONE doing their part, whether on land or at sea, civilians or industries. We still haven’t started the necropsies on the stranded sea birds, but looking at these beaches, I am, unfortunately 100% sure that we are going to find marine debris in the stomachs of these birds. Aside from sea birds, we also found a dolphin, a turtle and two seals washed ashore. The amount of debris is not only disgusting, but overall, sad. *** marinedebrisblog.wordpress/2014/03/11/where-are-we-now-tsunami-debris-three-years-later/ Where Are We Now? Tsunami Debris Three Years Later March 11, 2014 by NOAA Marine Debris Program By: Nancy Wallace, Marine Debris Program Director Last month, six high school students from California visited Rikuzentakata, a city in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture that was nearly destroyed three years ago today by a massive earthquake and tsunami. On the agenda was a visit to Takata High School and its 20-foot boat, now home again after several years and a long voyage across the Pacific Ocean. The boat, which Takata High School used for marine science lessons, washed away during the tsunami and landed in Crescent City, California in April 2013. The Del Norte High School students, with the help of their teachers, restored the boat and worked alongside Del Norte County and various groups to return it to Japan. This tremendous story – a bright spot in an on-going human tragedy – is about friendship, cooperation, and bonds across an enormous ocean. For us in the NOAA Marine Debris Program, it’s also a reflection of the partnerships that have formed between responders here in the U.S. and our remarkable counterparts in Japan, as we enter the third year of addressing debris items that wash ashore. *** marinedebrisblog.wordpress/2014/03/07/this-aint-our-first-crab-trap-rodeo/ This Ain’t Our First (Crab Trap) Rodeo March 7, 2014 by NOAA Marine Debris Program By: Kim Albins Louisiana’s 2014 Derelict Crab Trap Rodeo, an effort to round up derelict and abandoned crab traps, was a success! According to Marty Bourgeois of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the weather for this year’s Louisiana Crab Trap Rodeo could not have been better. The warm temperatures and calm sea conditions made it possible for volunteers to remove 1,051 traps during this annual single-day clean-up event. Over 100 volunteers and 16 boats participated in this year’s rodeo, which was held in Terrebonne Basin on February 15, 2014. In addition to the derelict crab traps, volunteers also removed tires, a gill net, and trawl net webbing. Keep posted on upcoming Louisiana Crab Trap Rodeos at laseagrant.org/crabtraps/ *** marlisco.eu/news-detail.en/items/marlisco-art-contest-1st-international-award-art-of-marine-litter.html MARLISCO ART CONTEST: 1st International award Art of Marine Litter 2014-02-26 11:28 The Province of Teramo, FP-7 Project MARLISCOs Lead Partner, launches an International Contest for artists, aiming at highlighting the marine litter problem by artistically exploring possible solutions. The MARLISCO ART CONTEST - 1st International award Art of Marine Litter takes place from the 20th of February to the 20th of March 2014 and its addressed to national and international artists committed to enhancing an ethical and innovative vision of the relation between art and marine litter and the value of their recycle-reuse through artistic works. The art works must be installations, paintings or sculptures made by solid marine litter. Authors of the winning works will receive the following prizes and get the chance to expose their own works at the MuMa, the Sea Museum of Genova, for 3 months (From the 3rd of June to the 26th of August): *** ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Joana Mira Veiga Date: 2014-03-07 10:46 GMT+01:00 Subject: Para divulgar Mto obrigada!! To: [email protected] MARLISCO Video Contest : hundreds of videos received from European youngsters on the issue of marine litter The European Project MARLISCO launched a challenge in 14 EU countries and encouraged youngsters to tell us what they think about the problem of marine litter. We’ve received hundreds of fantastic and powerful videos from Germany, Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Slovenia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. The national Jury panels are now evaluating and scoring all the works submitted, in order to rank the top 3 in each country and select the best national video that will feature together with all the other national winners in a final film compilation. Between the 3rd and 13th March, the nominated videos for each country are open to public vote, which will be considered in the final Jury decision. Have a look at the playlists from all the 14 participating countries: https://youtube/channel/UCEiHcLclegBEK4ySmlqj_Tw/playlists If you’re interested in using any of the videos for awareness and education, please get in touch with Joana Veiga: [email protected] More information about the project MARLISCO at marlisco.eu
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 10:02:04 +0000
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