Lagrangian tracking of long-lasting plastic tags: From lobster fisheries in the USA and Canada to Macaronesia
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 Macarone...
Published in: | Marine Pollution Bulletin |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
Other Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2024
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10553/127941 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115908 |
Summary: | 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 |
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