Marine debris harming 800 species – UN report

MANILA, Philippines – Marine debris, mostly hazardous pollutant plastic, is harming more than 800 animal species, costing millions in losses to many countries’ economies, according to a new report of the United Nations.

The report, Marine Debris: Understanding, Preventing and Mitigating the Significant Adverse Impacts on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity found that the number of species affected by marine debris has increased from 663 to 817 since 2012.

It also warned that this type of waste, mostly made of plastic, is an increasing threat to human health and wellbeing, and is costing countries billions of dollars each year.

“I hope that this report will provide governments and other stakeholders with the information needed to take urgent actions to address marine debris, one of the most prominent threats to marine ecosystems, and support healthy and resilient oceans as a critical aspect of achieving sustainable development,” said Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, executive director of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

The report was launched in Cancun, Mexico, on Monday on the sidelines of the 13th meeting of the Conference of Parties Convention, or ‘COP13,’ where governments and private sector delegations have gathered since Dec. 2 to discuss how to integrate biodiversity into policies relevant to agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism. The meeting wraps up on Dec. 17.

Marine debris is usually defined as any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material discarded, disposed of, or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment. Three-quarters of all marine debris is plastic, a persistent and potentially hazardous pollutant, which fragments into microplastics that can be taken up by a wide range of marine organisms.

The most common types of marine debris are food wrappers, bottle caps, straws, grocery bags, beverage bottles and cigarette butts. Five of these items are made of plastic.

Marine and coastal species – fish, seabirds, marine mammals and reptiles – are affected by marine debris mostly through ingestion or entanglement.

According to the report, 40 percent of cetaceans and 44 percent of seabird species are affected by marine debris ingestion, which effect is not always understood as many ingest microplastics – little pieces or fragments less than five millimeters in diameter.

Current global estimates for plastic waste indicate that 192 coastal countries generated 275 million tons of waste in 2010, of which between 4.8 and 12.7 million tons (1.8 - 4.6 percent) entered the marine environment.

Marine debris has an adverse effect on commercial fishing, shipping and tourism industries. The report also notes that previous research places the cost of pollution caused by marine debris at $13 billion.