Lagrangian tracking of long-lasting plastic tags: From lobster fisheries in the USA and Canada to Macaronesia

• Published in: Marine Pollution Bulletin
• Main Authors: Cividanes García,Marcos, Aguiar González, Miguel Borja, Gómez, May, Herrera Ulibarri, Alicia, Martinez Sanchez,Ico, Pham, C.K., Pérez, L., Machín Jiménez, Francisco José
• Other Authors: NO DATA, 58760720700, 37461138000, 58760991100, 57193161519, 55189627500, 26656061500, 58760991200, 6602804374, BU-BAS
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: 331210 Plásticos; 330811 Control de la contaminación del agua; Macaronesia; Marine plastic pollution; Lobster fisheries; Plastic tags; North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre; Lagrangian methods; Canada; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10553/127941; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115908

Plastic waste from the fishing industry, particularly lobster trap identification tags from the USA and Canada, poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems due to its resilience. This study unveils a novel link between North American fisheries and the appearance of these plastic tags in Macaronesia. Collected in the Azores and Canary Islands, these tags offer a unique insight into the sources and spatio-temporal scales of marine plastic pollution. Ocean model data indicates the Labrador Current and Gulf Stream as key forces transporting these tags. Virtual particle simulations show a small fraction reaching Macaronesia (4.12 % in the Azores, 0.76 % in the Canary Islands), suggesting real ocean drift. The Azores, with more collected tags, are more susceptible, and tags can reach Macaronesia in under a year. These findings underscore the urgency of better waste management and emphasize the role of citizen science in monitoring and combating marine pollution. 10 1,49 5,8 Q1 Q1 SCIE 11,0