MARine Plastic Pollution in the Arctic: origin, status, costs and incentives for Prevention

A survey of the sources of marine litter on beaches at Svalbard, by researchers in collaboration with fishing and mining industry representatives in Russia, Norway and Iceland, and local authorities on Svalbard, demonstrated that most of the plastic litter on beaches derived from the fishing industry. Cut off fishing nets, packaging strips, bottles and plastic bags were among the items found. The findings surprised the fishing industry representatives and strengthened the knowledge base for the Norwegian Fishermens? Association?s further commitment to fight plastic litter, and it spurred attention towards change of attitude in the Russian fisher organization. In 2018 we carried out a survey among fishers in Norway and Russia, which gave information on knowledge about, attitudes towards, and possible solutions to the marine plastic litter situation among those who are affected by marine littering in their daily work. The questions in the survey were elaborated in collaboration with the Norwegian Fishermens? Association, with input of expertise from the Norwegian College of Fishery Sciences. The survey was distributed to all organized fishers in Norway, that is about 60% of active Norwegian fishers. In a parallel process a survey was made in Russia, in collaboration with a Russian fisher organization, enabling us to describe the situation in both countries. The questions were the same in both countries, adjusted for local and regional conditions. The data from the surveys gave input to analyses in several of the project work packages and generated more project ideas. In the analyses we considered the different fleet structure in Norway and Russia, and that the countries have different legal frameworks and regulation. The survey revealed that the fishers are concerned about marine plastic pollution. Their perception is that much of the litter has arrived from other continents, while at the same time recognizing that the fishing industry itself must contribute to reducing the amount of litter in the ocean. There is a significant change of attitude taking place, and the fishers support that the fisher organizations inform and present measures towards a necessary change. Part of this is linked to the facilities for depositing waste and litter in the harbors. Norwegian harbors are obliged to have infrastructure to receive waste and litter. In case the harbors do not have the facilities, they are obliged to have initiated the planning towards that goal. This takes time, and increased capacity to receive waste and litter will motivate fishers to sort waste onboard and bring to shore litter found in the ocean. The legal framework and regulations to remedy the situation with marine litter are sufficient in Norway, but much to be wanted for the implementation of the regulations, and to get the facilities and infrastructure up and running. Norwegian authorities opt for a soft approach, and do not sanction harbors were planning and implementation yet not are initiated. Other findings show that most fishers are aware of the regulations on pollution from vessels, and that it is illegal to throw waste overboard. Most respondents say that the vessels they work on have systems for sorting waste, and it depends on vessel size, it is more facilitated on the larger vessels. Most of the respondents think is should be free of charge to deliver waste and litter in the harbors, but it is not a hinder for doing so. The lack of infrastructure is the bottleneck. The fishers are also worried about food safety with the amount of litter in the ocean and see it in relation to the reputation of fisheries and the fishing industry.

Prosjektet har gitt betydelig økt kompetanse om plastproblematikken, særlig fra et samfunnsvitenskapelig og forvaltningsmessig perspektiv. Mest tydelig er det blant noen av prosjektdeltakerne. Prosjektets postdoc gjorde omfattende undersøkelser på Svalbard. En av forskerne som kom inn mot slutten av prosjektet hadde liten erfaring med plastrelatert problematikk.

Plastic waste is an emergent pollutant in the Arctic affecting marine and coastal ecosystems and associated ecosystem services that contribute to human well-being. The high level of marine debris found in the region, suggest that there is a need to increase awareness of how this pollutant affect ecosystems, societies and industry, and to identify preventive measures that can contribute to sustainable development in the area. This project will deliver management relevant research on marine waste using Svalbard and the Barents Sea as a case study regarding 1) the status and sources of marine waste, 2) socio-economic costs of marine waste, and 3) regulations and incentives affecting how waste in general, and ship-waste in particular is handled. The project will bring together scientists from Norway, Russia and the UK as well as representatives from key industries, management institutions and NGOs in the region. Ecological knowledge and social-science methods will be used to establish the status, origins and direct and indirect costs of marine waste. Leading scientists experienced in interdisciplinary research on marine resources will apply and develop methods integrating different sciences to provide holistic, ecosystem-based management advice that accounts for and communicates the multiple values ecosystems deliver. The incentives and regulations governing marine waste management in the region will be analysed in terms of current laws and waste management practices, and the potential to minimize waste and optimize resource use. To secure the social relevance of the project, a workshop with industry operating in the area, relevant policymakers and scientists will be organised in the final year, to communicate research findings and together develop a set of recommendations that can contribute to achieving the environmental quality objectives for marine waste in the Arctic.