'I remember being told plastic doesn't decay, it's wonderful' - David Attenborough (recalling school)
Over 5 trillion pieces of plastic are floating in our oceans, and by 2050, it is predicted that there will be more plastic than fish.
Fishing gear is the biggest plastic polluter in our oceans. Plastic is commonly used by the fishing industry due to its lightness, buoyancy, durability and low cost. In recent years, public concern over single use plastics such as packaging has grown, but seafood consumption in our diets, the major cause of marine plastics, remains commonly overlooked.
The scale of the problem
Fishing equipment such as ropes, nets and lines are often made of plastic, and may be lost or abandoned at sea (ghost gear).
An estimate of 640,000 tonnes of ghost gear may enter oceans each year, equivalent to more than 50 thousand double decker buses. Whilst ghost gear may form only 10% of plastic waste, it forms a high percentage of large pieces of marine plastic. These plastics can become concentrated in certain parts of the ocean. In some areas, over 85% of waste on the seafloor was ghost gear. This can have devastating impacts on marine life. In a single incident in 2018, 300 sea turtles died caught in a fishing net in Mexico.
Getting drastic on plastic
Combatting marine plastic pollution from ghost gear is a difficult issue. Illegal fishing and poor regulation are major contributors. Additionally, a lack of comprehensive legislation in international waters has led to heavy exploitation and no requirements to protect the marine life or oceans. However, globally changes are being made.
Ocean sanctuaries are increasing to protect vulnerable marine life.
Initiatives such as Ocean Cleanup are attempting to clear large pieces of plastic from the ocean.
In 2020, UN will release the Global Ocean Treaty to bring the first global rules for ocean sanctuaries in international waters, covering at least 30% of international waters by 2030.
As individuals, we can have the largest effect by minimising seafood consumption and encouraging change from government.
