TOWARDS A CLEAN PATAGONIAN SEA

The Patagonian Sea ecosystem and species are threatened by marine plastic pollution, and the impacts of this problem transcend a single country border.

The threat posed to biodiversity by marine plastic pollution from fisheries operations needs to be addressed based on a regional perspective. We focus our efforts in improving the understanding on the marine plastic pollution problem caused by fisheries operations on the Patagonian Sea biodiversity and in promoting integral solutions to prevent it.

We aspire to prevent plastic pollution from fisheries and reducing its impact on the Patagonian Sea biodiversity.

A set of harmonized measures in the regional context is required.
We focus our efforts on:

Updating the diagnosis on plastic pollution causes and impacts throughout the Patagonian Sea.
Providing technical advice to strengthen policy frameworks.
Supporting fisheries personnel capacity building in best management practices.
Promoting the development of adequate infrastructure for managing fishery waste in main ports of the region.
Fostering circular economy through recycling initiatives.

Waste from fishing vessels have also affected the Patagonian Sea.

Globally, around 20% of marine litter sources originate at the sea. In the case of fisheries, marine plastics come from abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear and the mismanagement of vessels´ waste. The amount of plastic debris discarded by the commercial fishing industry has doubled over the last 50 years (from 340,000 tons to 640,000 tons annually).

Plastic debris travel considerable distances, have a medium to long term persistence and can accumulate far from its point of production.

The amount of marine litter in coastal areas, surface, water column and seabed of the Patagonian Sea is growing in detriment of ecosystems, biodiversity and human health.

The most commonly documented impacts of plastic pollution stem from entanglement and ingestion of macroplastic debris. Marine vertebrate species -especially turtles, birds and mammals- ingest plastic debris, which causes malnutrition, muscular problems, disease and increased mortality of certain species. Other species -such as birds, sea lions, fish, turtles and cetaceans- are entangled by plastic debris, causing severe injuries and deaths. Marine debris may also affect the structure and composition of the benthos communities developing on soft and hard substrata.

Marine pollution by plastics is an increasing environmental issue globally.

12.2 million metric tons of plastic waste are estimated to enter the ocean each year.

Main sources:

Recreational litter
Fishing debris
Sewage-related debris
Shipping waste
Other: storm water and urban runoff, and riverine input

Regardless of its source, debris is introduced into the marine ecosystem given that its management and disposal are improperly accomplished, and by accidental loss and natural catastrophes.

Where does plastic in the ocean come from?

0

From the land

0

From the sea

Workshop “Marine plastic waste”

The “Mar Patagónico Limpio” (Clean Patagonian Sea) Working Group has developed a training workshop to be implemented in person and/or virtually, aimed at captains and sailors, port managers and support personnel of fishing activities, in order to raise awareness and strengthen the adoption of good practices in the management of plastic waste on fishing vessels and in ports, and thus reduce and prevent the impacts of plastic marine debris on marine biodiversity. Although the workshop was designed for shipboard personnel, the material generated can be used by schools and the public in Argentina and the region.

Training material for the fishing sector. A common problem: Marine Plastic Waste

This document is intended to support training and educational activities, raise awareness and strengthen the knowledge of fishing personnel, and encourage the adoption of good practices for the management of plastic waste on fishing vessels and in ports, thereby reducing and preventing the impacts of plastic marine debris on marine biodiversity.

The manual summarizes, in a pleasant language, a highly complex environmental issue that requires immediate dialogue and interaction among the various stakeholders.

DOWNLOAD DOCUMENT

Next activities

Workshop for students in training National Fishing School

June & October, 2022, Mar del Plata, Argentina.

As part of the awareness-raising and training actions carried out, during 2021 the Forum participated through the organizations: Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina and Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas in the webinar “Marine plastic waste: impacts and solutions” organized by the Center for Higher Studies of the Argentine Sea (CESMAR).

Through these participations, the Clean Patagonian Sea group seeks to make the problem visible and optimize the management of waste on board fishing vessels in coordination with port activity in the region.

Watch webinar

Workshop Support

Contact

Organized by:

Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas

ballenas.org.ar

Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina

vidasilvestre.org.ar

Coordinated by:

Wildlife Conservation Society / Argentina

argentina.wcs.org

Fundación AquaMarina

aquamarina.org

Núcleo de Educação e Monitoramento Ambiental

nema-rs.org.br

Supported by:

La Roche Posay

laroche-posay.com.ar

Bureo

bureo.co

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November 19, 2021

Marine plastic litter

The Forum’s working group, Mar Patagónico Limpio, participated in the webinar “Marine plastic litter: impacts and solutions”.