Global Plastics Treaty Delegates gather in Canada for the latest round of negotiations towards a Global Plastics Treaty(including in the marine environment), with analysis by EIA finding that the Treaty ‘could halve plastic production emissions’ and Pew puts forward its recommendations for a ‘Global Solution’. Meanwhile, research shows that plant-based plastic releases nine times less […]
New research from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and the University of Toronto in Canada, estimates up to 11 million tonnes of plastic pollution is sitting on the ocean floor. Dr Denise Hardesty, Senior Research Scientist with CSIRO, said this is the first estimate of how much plastic waste ends up on the ocean floor, […]
By Samantha Garrard, Senior Marine Ecosystem Services Researcher at Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Plastic has been found in every single part of the ocean, from the surface to the seafloor and from the tropics to the poles. Land-based sources of plastic account for the majority of this pollution, with plastic bags, bottles, wrappers, food containers and cutlery among […]
By Samantha Garrard, Senior Marine Ecosystem Services Researcher at Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Plastic has been found in every single part of the ocean, from the surface to the seafloor and from the tropics to the poles. Land-based sources of plastic account for the majority of this pollution, with plastic bags, bottles, wrappers, food containers and cutlery among […]
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is intensifying efforts to safeguard the safe transportation of plastic pellets on ships, recognizing the potential environmental damage if released into the sea. During the meeting at IMO Headquarters from February 19 to 23, the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 11) reached a consensus on draft recommendations for […]
Researchers have found that two-thirds of hermit crabs species were pictured in “artificial shells” of plastic waste. The finding are published in the journal Science of the Total Environment and are based on analysis of photos, taken by wildlife enthusiasts, and published online. The researchers trawled the internet for pictures of Hermit crabs using the iEcology (internet Ecology) research […]
An international group of scientists has cautioned against reliance on mechanical clean-up devices as a means of addressing the plastic pollution crisis. The researchers say they appreciate the clear and pressing need to tackle the millions of tonnes of waste that have already accumulated in the ocean and waterways. However, they caution that plastic removal […]
From a press release from the UK Ministry of Justice: Plastic and litter will be removed by offenders wearing high-visibility jackets emblazoned with “Community Payback” on beaches up-and-down the country, as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s annual Great British Beach Clean. The Probation Service has partnered with several major organisations with a focus on […]