Plastic pollution, big problems
West’s Emma Forbes-Gearey MSC discusses the sources of plastic marine litter from shipping and the future of regulation.
What are plastics?
Plastics are synthetic organic polymers crafted from raw materials such as oil, coal, and gas. They fulfil many functions with applications across diverse industries, such as packaging, electronics, automotive, construction, healthcare, agriculture, and energy storage. Initially hailed as the quintessential material for the 21st century, plastic production surged from 5 million tonnes in the 1960s to 460 million by 2019. Its resilience, adaptability and lightweight properties contributed to its widespread adoption, resulting in its presence in unwanted locations.
Shipping’s plastic problem
Plastic pollution is on the rise, mainly due to increased production. The majority (80%) of marine debris originates from land-based sources like waste and litter, while the remaining 20% results from accidental ship discharges and the loss of fishing gear, affecting human health, aquatic ecosystems, and maritime industries. Lost fishing gear, often called ghost gear, adversely affects the economy and poses navigation hazards. It can disrupt the underwater manoeuvring systems of a vessel, causing operational delays, economic losses, and, in severe cases, endangering the lives of passengers and crew members.
Plastics, being largely buoyant, drift with the prevailing currents and winds, accumulating in spiralling ocean currents, leading to vast expanses of floating plastic litter like the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”, approximately 4.5 times the size of Germany. Worryingly, floating plastic is only the tip of the rubbish pile. The United Nations Environment Program estimates that approximately 15% of marine litter floats on the sea surface, 15% stays in the water column, and the rest remains on the seabed.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a plastic bottle may take about 450 years to decompose, while a fishing line could endure for up to 600 years. Most plastics are non-biodegradable and can persist for decades, undergoing gradual breakdown due to factors like ocean currents, solar UV radiation, wind, and other natural elements. Over time, these plastics fragment into tiny particles known as microplastics (less than 5mm), which are readily ingested by marine organisms. The Environmental Investigation Agency warns that by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in our oceans.
The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that at least 51 trillion microplastic particles could already be in the oceans. When exposed to environmental toxins, they can absorb up to a million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water. Research indicates that toxic chemicals from plastics have already entered the human food chain, raising concerns about potential health issues.
Is current regulation up to the task?
For almost 30 years, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex V has prohibited rubbish disposal from all ships. Recognising that more was needed to address environmental and health problems arising from ship-sourced litter, the IMO adopted an action plan to improve the effectiveness of port reception facilities. Furthermore, guidelines for MARPOL Annex V to address single-use plastics onboard ships were also developed and adopted in 2017.
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The Environmental Investigation Agency warns that by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in our oceans.
Recent studies indicate that approximately 640,000 tonnes of fishing equipment, such as nets, pots, crates, floats, and fishing aggregation devices (FAD), are abandoned or lost annually at sea.
Despite regulations aimed at preventing the intentional disposal of plastic into the ocean, a substantial amount still finds its way into the sea. Recent studies indicate that approximately 640,000 tonnes of fishing equipment, such as nets, pots, crates, floats, and fishing aggregation devices (FAD), are abandoned or lost annually at sea. This figure is likely underestimated due to fragmented data availability.
Besides MARPOL, another significant regulatory framework is the London Dumping Convention, founded in 1972, aimed at preventing the intentional dumping of waste or other substances from ships into the sea, except for those on the “reserve list,” which excludes persistent plastics. However, it doesn’t govern the disposal at sea of waste or substances related to normal vessel operations; this falls under MARPOL’s jurisdiction. Consequently, according to the London Dumping Convention, deliberate dumping or discarding of fishing nets and FAD is prohibited unless necessary for the safety of the vessel or human life.
While international regulations exist to control the intentional or accidental discharge of plastic from ships, a notable issue with these regulations is their enforcement, which requires improvement. Monitoring and enforcing the prohibition on plastic pollution from vessels in international waters present significant challenges. Flag states often need more motivation, and there are no compelling incentives to prompt vessels to retrieve abandoned gear encountered during fishing activities.
Nevertheless, there are promising examples of initiatives from countries and organisations addressing these concerns. For instance, Canada has enforced mandatory reporting of gear loss and mandates specific gear marking to enable traceability back to individual vessels, thus enhancing accountability. Additionally, the Thai Union, a major seafood company, enforces requirements for tuna suppliers to mark non-biodegradable FAD components.
Plastic pollution events from cargo or fishing gear continue to pose a threat on a par with oil pollution, but regulations are yet to address the issue aggressively. However, recent developments suggest regulatory changes are coming to tackle this issue.
In March 2022, the UN Environment Assembly came together to create new international legislation that would be legally binding on plastic pollution, with sections focusing on the marine environment. The completion date for the treaty negotiations should be December 2024; details regarding the final contents are unknown.
In a separate development, the International Maritime Organisation has agreed on draft recommendations for transporting plastic pellets on ships. These considerations were submitted to the Marine Environment Protection Committee for approval in their next meeting.
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