Plastic in the ocean is becoming a big problem

By Abbie Mitchell

FOR THE SOU’WESTER

Eight million pieces of marine debris enter the world’s oceans every day. This is becoming a huge problem for our natural environment, as well as our fisheries and economy.

Marine debris is threatening over 265 species of marine and coastal wildlife. There are two reasons for this: entanglement and ingestion.

When a marine animal becomes entangled in debris, they can remain permanently tangled or injure themselves (which could lead to infection). Being entangled also makes it difficult for them to escape their predators. It is extremely easy for any of the above possibilities to take place because of the natural curiosity that marine species have. Marine debris can easily be mistaken for food – for example a plastic bag floating in the water can look very similar to a jellyfish. Sometimes the food can pass through the animal without any damage, however, the debris can give animals a false sense of being full, which can lead to starvation.

Fourteen billion pounds of litter are dumped annually into the ocean’s waters. This causes harm to humans and can damage fishing and shipping equipment. Debris can damage boat propellers, clog water intakes, block pumping systems, tangle divers, contribute to the loss of catch, etc.

Each one of these possibilities has the opportunity to create endless chains of destruction, especially in small communities. If a lobster boat hits something in the water and damages their propeller during prime fishing season, it affects more than one fisherman. Not many lobster fishermen go out on their own, so it would result in a cut of two or three men’s pay. Also, the cost of repairs can be very expensive on top of losing crucial fishing days. This results in a reduction of spending due to the loss of income, hurting other community businesses as well.

Synthetic materials are a major hazard to our environment, plastics being a main concern. Plastics are all made initially from small plastic pellets, and these pellets stay in the ocean for a long, long time as they are not bio-degradable. The pellets are extremely small, so when it appears that the plastic form has disappeared it is not the case as the pellets, which initially made up the plastic, still exist. These pellets are usually left on the ocean’s floor and can be mistaken for food and consumed by marine species, such as lobster. New studies are showing that lobsters are in fact acquiring these pellets. Scientists from Rhode Island are finding the toxic compounds from plastics in the lobster’s bloodstream, and are linking this to shell disease in lobster.

The ocean covers nearly 75 per cent of the earth’s surface. It has a big role to play, especially here in Atlantic Canada. The ocean regulates climate, supplies enormous amounts of oxygen and water, and contributes to food, medicine, products, jobs, tourism and transportation.

Throwing litter into our waters has major effects. Lets protect our oceans, and our lobster and dispose of all garbage properly.



(Abbie Mitchell, a student intern with the Fundy North Fishermen’s Association, has researched recent findings on lobster health and the impacts of marine debris and plastics. The following articles were written by Mitchell on behalf of the Fundy North Fishermen’s Association and the HADD program (Harmful Alternation Disruption and Destruction of Fish Habitat). Fundy North’s marine debris awareness program is funded by the New Brunswick Department of Transportation to compensate for damage to ocean habitat resulting from the construction of the new Grand Manan ferry wharf at Wallace Cove, Blacks Harbour.)