Overview of the Problem and Knowledge Gaps Insights from the World Ocean Assessment. Lorna Inniss Former Joint Coordinator WOA-1

Transcription

1 Overview of the Problem and Knowledge Gaps Insights from the World Ocean Assessment Lorna Inniss Former Joint Coordinator WOA-1

2 Coastal debris

3 Presentation Outline Brief background to the WOA-1 Introduction to Chapter 25 Global distribution of Marine Litter Types and sources of Marine Litter Environmental Impacts Socioeconomic Impacts Research and Capacity Gaps identified

4 WOA - Objective UNGA Resolution 57/141, (2005) to improve understanding of the oceans and to develop a global mechanism for delivering science-based information to decision makers and the public.

5 WOA1 - Structure Summary Context of the Assessment Major Ecosystem Services from the Oceans Cross-Cutting Issue Food Security and Food Safety Other human activities and the marine environment Marine Biological Diversity and Habitats Overall assessment of the benefits to humans Overall assessment of the impacts of humans

6 Section Human Activities Chapter 25 Marine Debris DRAFTERS Juying Wang, Kim Kiho, Douglas Ofiara, Yuhui Zhao, Arsonina Bera, Rainer Lohmann, Maria Clare Baker

7 The Story of Marine Debris Photo: NOAA Photo Library

8 Global Distribution of Marine Litter

9 Sources and Types of Marine Litter Floating marine debris, benthic and beach debris are supported by hydrography, geomorphology and humans Plastics Metal Glass Processed timber Paper and cardboard Rubber Clothing and textiles

10 Environmental Impacts

11 Entanglements and Ingestion Those affected the most: 247 species in 1997 to 663 species in % increase ALL known species of sea turtles Half of known species of marine mammals One fifths of all species of seabirds 15% of all species on the IUCN Red List

12 Entanglement Photo: NOAA Photo Library

13 Entangled Photo: NOAA Photo Library

14 Entanglement - Effects on Biodiversity Immediate mortality by drowning or limited mobility to find quality food Altered fitness and progressive debilitation over months and years Neck collars hamper feeding and breathing Growth causes collars to cut into skin, tissue and muscles, tightening the noose Ghost fishing through abandoned or lost nets, traps and other fishing gear

15 Ingestion Photo: NOAA Photo Library

16 Ingestion Effects on Biodiversity Debris is mistaken for food items Sharp items cut into mouth and digestive tract Plastic polymers in the stomach cause irritation and may cause the animals to feel full Planktivorous fish study in the North Pacific showed 2.1 plastic items per fish in guts

17 Transport of Chemicals Some examples in plastics: Phthalates Flame retardants Bisphenol-A Environmental Effects Toxicological effects in fish, mammals and moluscs Induced genetic aberrations Reproductive impairment in some species

18 Destruction of Habitat Photo: NOAA Photo Library

19 Socioeconomic Impacts Photo: NOAA Photo Library

20 Socioeconomic Impacts Coastal tourism if affected Beach use by local communities and visitors Beach communities suffer as the ecosystem degrades Fisheries and sea-based food livelihoods are affected by loss in species and habitats If nurseries and juveniles are affected, then effects are inter-generational No Sustainable Development

21 Socioeconomic Impacts COSTS OF BEACH CLEANNG IS HIGH

22 Socioeconomic Impacts Damage to beaches results in lost revenues Neighbouring beaches also suffer due to avoidance Pollution and medical waste wash-up on beaches cost a high price to clean up In Sweden, 1-5% of tourism spend is lost when even moderate of marine debris exist. Major debris on beaches can reduce tourism by 8-25 percent.

23 Major Gaps Identified Ecological impacts, especially on habitats not well documented, nor benthic debris Much more research is needed on the transport of alien invasive species by debris no documented cases yet Socioeconomic impacts are difficult to quantify or to separate from other linked impacts like poor solid waste management and public education Very limited economic data on potential effects Missing data, absence of detail and inconsistencies noted

24 Research and Capacity Needs Further understanding of sources, fate and impacts Standardized monitoring protocols to be developed to capture changes in volume when initiatives are successful Need for harmonized data across geography and time scales More data needed on status and trends in amounts, distribution and types of Debris More research needed on natural substitutes to plastics, such as biopolymers

25 Thank you Dr Lorna Inniss, Coordinator, UNEP CEP Kingston, Jamaica