What Percentage Of Ocean Trash Is Fishing Equipment
What Percentage Of Ocean Trash Is Fishing Equipment?
Introduction
The world’s oceans are in crisis. The result of decades of human activities and negligence, the plastic and other debris floating in our oceans is a global catastrophe that affects all living creatures, from the smallest plankton to the largest mammal. The fishing industry is one of the major contributors to this mess, with fishing equipment making up a large portion of the ocean’s trash. But exactly what percentage of ocean trash is fishing equipment?
How Much Fishing Equipment Is In The Ocean?
A recent study conducted by the University of California, Davis found that fishing gear makes up as much as 27% of all of the plastic pollution in the ocean. This is a significant portion of the total amount of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans, with fishing gear being the second-most common type of ocean trash after plastic bags. The study found that the most common type of fishing gear found in the ocean was fishing nets, which account for up to 60% of all fishing gear found in the ocean.
What Types Of Fishing Gear Are In The Ocean?
The UC Davis study found that fishing nets were the most common type of gear found in the ocean, but other types of gear were also present. Fishing lines, buoys, traps, and lures were all found in the ocean in varying amounts. Interestingly, the study also found that a significant portion of the fishing gear found in the ocean was not discarded by fishermen, but rather washed away from land-based sources. This suggests that a large portion of the fishing gear in the ocean is actually coming from land-based sources.
How Does Fishing Gear Impact The Ocean?
Fishing gear in the ocean is a major source of plastic pollution, but it is also a source of other forms of pollution. Fishing gear can entangle and suffocate marine life, including fish, whales, and birds. It can also be a source of pollution from chemicals, such as lead and mercury, as well as litter that is washed into the ocean from land-based sources.
What Can Be Done To Reduce The Amount Of Fishing Gear In The Ocean?
The good news is that there are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce the amount of fishing gear in the ocean. The first step is to ensure that all fishing gear is properly disposed of. Fishermen should be made aware of the proper disposal methods for fishing gear and should be encouraged to dispose of it in the proper manner. Additionally, fishermen should be encouraged to use biodegradable fishing gear, as this will reduce the amount of plastic and other debris that is entering the ocean.
Conclusion
Fishing gear is a major source of plastic pollution in the ocean, making up as much as 27% of all of the plastic pollution in the ocean. This is a significant portion of the total amount of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans, with fishing gear being the second-most common type of ocean trash after plastic bags. Fortunately, there are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce the amount of fishing gear in the ocean, such as proper disposal and the use of biodegradable fishing gear. Taking these steps will help to reduce the amount of plastic pollution in the ocean and protect the marine life that calls it home.
