Challenges and misperceptions around global fishing gear loss estimates

Richardson, Kelsey; Wilcox, Chris; Vince, Joanna; Hardesty, Britta Denise

doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104522

Cited by 42 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…A figure that has been repeatedly referenced, for example, (FAO, 2018; Löhr et al., 2017; UNEP, 2016; World Animal Protection, 2018) is of spurious origin, derived from applying a rough generalization of “less than 10%” of global marine litter (Macfadyen et al., 2009) to an estimate of 6.4 Mt of marine litter. The basis for that figure is in fact an elementary generalization about marine shipping wastes (US National Academy of Sciences, 1975) that was misreported (Richardson et al., 2021). A more robust and contemporary estimate is needed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plastic gear loss estimates from remote observation of industrial fishing activity

et al. 2021

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The amount and distribution of marine debris have been substantially increasing over recent decades, causing immense ecological and socioeconomic problems (Amon et al., 2020;Galloway et al., 2017;Li et al., 2016). Abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), otherwise known as derelict gear, from the world's estimated 4.6 million marine fishing vessels is particularly a harmful component of marine litter (FAO, 2000;Li et al., 2016). Because of the expansion of fishing effort in the last decade and the transition to synthetic and more durable materials for fishing gear, the quantity, distribution and adverse effects of ALDFG have likely increased (Derraik, 2002;

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plastic gear loss estimates from remote observation of industrial fishing activity

et al. 2021

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“…Plastic drinking bottles, likely originating from passing shipping vessels, cover an uninhabited island of the South Atlantic Ocean 21 while abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) accumulates on remote islands of the Pacific Ocean 30,31 . Oceanic sources such as inputs from fisheries have commonly been attributed about half of a million tonnes per year, but this estimate which has been repeatedly cited over the years, was misinterpreted from an initial study dating back to the 1970s 32 . Since then, no recent, more reliable estimate has been proposed.…”

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confidence: 99%

Industrialised fishing nations largely contribute to floating plastic pollution in the North Pacific subtropical gyre

Lebreton

Royer

Peytavin

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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The subtropical oceanic gyre in the North Pacific Ocean is currently covered with tens of thousands of tonnes of floating plastic debris, dispersed over millions of square kilometres. A large fraction is composed of fishing nets and ropes while the rest is mostly composed of hard plastic objects and fragments, sometimes carrying evidence on their origin. In 2019, an oceanographic mission conducted in the area, retrieved over 6000 hard plastic debris items > 5 cm. The debris was later sorted, counted, weighed, and analysed for evidence of origin and age. Our results, complemented with numerical model simulations and findings from a previous oceanographic mission, revealed that a majority of the floating material stems from fishing activities. While recent assessments for plastic inputs into the ocean point to coastal developing economies and rivers as major contributors into oceanic plastic pollution, here we show that most floating plastics in the North Pacific subtropical gyre can be traced back to five industrialised fishing nations, highlighting the important role the fishing industry plays in the solution to this global issue.

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“…A good example of this is the correct disposal-and reuse or recycling-of end-of-life fishing gear and ropes. Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear creates a range of environmental, as well as socioeconomic impacts [44]. Correctly disposing of, repairing, and re-using fishing gear would contribute greatly to reducing these impacts.…”

Section: Circular Economy and Port Citiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Virtuous Circle? Increasing Local Benefits from Ports by Adopting Circular Economy Principles

et al. 2021

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As ports seek to maintain support for their operations amidst growing environmental awareness and social pressure, it is important they provide benefits for the local population to offset negative impacts. Ports can add additional economic benefits for the cities they are located in by encouraging maritime clusters, industrial development, a circular economy, and waterfront development. The current level of adoption, interest in future adoption, barriers to implementation, and attitudes towards the views of the local population were assessed via an online questionnaire sent to port authorities in 26 countries. The potential and willingness of ports to be on the frontline of the transition to a circular economy globally has been clearly identified for the first time, seeing a 60% increase between current levels of adoption and future interest in adoption. Barriers to a circular economy are comparable to barriers to widely adopted methods, such as industrial development and a waterfront economy. It is likely that circular economy activities in port cities will add additional local benefits and reduce the negative impacts of a port. A new framework is proposed to help ports and cities collaborate and encourage greater adoption of the circular economy.

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Challenges and misperceptions around global fishing gear loss estimates

Cited by 42 publications

References 18 publications

Plastic gear loss estimates from remote observation of industrial fishing activity

Plastic gear loss estimates from remote observation of industrial fishing activity

Industrialised fishing nations largely contribute to floating plastic pollution in the North Pacific subtropical gyre

A Virtuous Circle? Increasing Local Benefits from Ports by Adopting Circular Economy Principles

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