Issue 12, December 2018

Trash in the Splash

A day at the seashore isn’t complete without sandcastles, swimming, picnic lunches, and… marine debris? If you’ve recently visited the coast, you’ve probably noticed trash in or near the water. This is termed marine debris, and unfortunately, it has become one of the worst pollution problems facing today’s oceans. Indeed, in coastal Mississippi, approximately 13 tons of marine debris is collected during annual, one-day Coastal Cleanup events. Below, we’ll define marine debris, outline the various types of debris, elaborate on the diverse impacts of this debris, and share ways to prevent and reduce marine debris.

What is marine debris? Marine debris consists of persistent solid materials that are manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment. Marine debris comes from both land-based and ocean-based sources. Marine debris can be separated into 3 main categories:

1. Trash: This includes many types of materials, such as plastics, cloth, glass, metal, paper, wood, and rubber. Plastics comprise a large portion of marine debris because they are so prevalent in today’s society. Unfortunately, most plastics never fully degrade – they simply break down into smaller and smaller pieces called microplastics.

2. Derelict (abandoned) vessels: A variety of factors, from natural disasters to boat ownership neglect, can lead to derelict vessels. Derelict vessels can persist for years, and the debris associated with them can become widespread.

3. Derelict (abandoned) fishing gear: This includes nets, fishing line, buoys, traps, and other recreational or commercial fishing equipment. Ghost fishing occurs when lost or discarded fishing gear continues to fish, thereby trapping and killing marine life.

What are the potential impacts of marine debris?

Environmental: Fishes and other marine life eat marine debris, which irritates and damages the digestive system. If the debris is not passed, this can lead to malnutrition or starvation. Marine debris can cause wildlife entanglement, which in turn can result in injury, suffocation, and death. Marine debris, particularly derelict gear, can damage habitats and kill endangered and threatened species.

Navigation safety: If marine debris is floating below the surface, this can result in damage to the vessel’s body or motor.

Economy: Ghost fishing can cause economic losses from target species mortality and costs associated with replacing lost gear. Marine debris on beaches can cause economic losses if the beaches are popular tourist destinations.

Invasive species: If an organism attaches to marine debris, it can be carried hundreds of miles in the currents and land in a non-native area, thus becoming an invasive species. These can have extensive negative environmental and economic impacts.

Human health and safety: Scientists are conducting research to determine how marine debris might impact our health and safety.

How can we prevent and reduce marine debris?

Participate in local cleanups
Reduce the amount of waste we produce
Dispose of waste properly
Reuse and recycle as many items as possible
Serve as a positive example to others

References

Check out these links for more information on marine debris in our area:

NOAA Marine Debris
Mississippi State University Marine Debris

Download the PDF to view the entire newsletter

Download