CCAMLR

This report describes and quantifies occurrences of oil, paint, marine debris and fishing gear associated with seabirds at Bird Island, South Georgia. In this, the eighth year of standardised recording, an unprecedented quantity of hooks (both with and without long-line attached)and monofilament long-line originating from fishing vessels were recorded in association with wandering albatrosses. Quantities of fishing gear remained within the levels of previous years for all other species. Marine debris, the vast majority of which was plastics, showed a 28% increase from the maximum of the previous year for grey-headed albatrosses, but a 24% decrease from the maximum of the previous year for wandering albatrosses. The recently noted trend of black-browed albatrosses regurgitating marine debris continued. Two female wandering albatrosses feather-soiled by red paint on the head and neck were observed. Human food waste was once again associated with wandering and black-browed albatrosses, and for the first time with grey-headed albatrosses. One Antarctic prion stomach, out of five dissected, contained a small piece of plastic, this being the first occasion that marine debris has been found in association with this species at South Georgia.

During the 2000/2001 austral summer the eleventh annual beach debris survey was carried out at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. Debris was cleared each month between November and March from three study beaches. The debris was counted, measured and classified by type, material, mass and size categories. A total of 16 items weighing 0.74kg was collected. The number of items and the total mass of the waste recovered was the lowest ever recorded (a decrease of 70% and 93% since 1999/2000 respectively). The number of plastic packaging bands (one) was also the lowest ever recorded and follows a declining trend since 1993/94. This may indicate that the ban on their use aboard fishing vessels adopted by CCAMLR in 1995/96 has been effective and should continue. Plastic waste was predominant, as in previous seasons, with the proportion of plastic items (56%) being the third highest reported since surveys began. Classifying the waste by source revealed that 44% had come from ships or fishing vessels and 6% were from Signy Research Station. The rest comprised wood (25%) and items with no obvious source (25%). The duration of sea-ice around Signy Island was prolonged in 2000/2001 and may have limited the amount of marine debris washed ashore. However, with the exception of 1998/99, the quantity of waste recorded at Signy Island has been showing a declining trend since 1993/94. The longevity of plastics and other materials with a high resistence to degradation in the marine environment remains a problem and highlights the need for continued monitoring to ensure that vessels are aware of, and comply with, regulations prohibiting the disposal of debris at sea.

The results of the fifth annual survey of entanglement of Antarctic fur seals at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands are reported for the 2000/2001 summer season. This is the first year in which there were no sightings of seals with neck collars of man-made debris. Data are compared with results from a parallel study undertaken at Bird Island, South Georgia in 2000/2001. In contrast to Signy Island, these indicated that the number of entangled fur seals had increased (by57%) compared to the previous year. The absence of entangled seals at Signy Island could be due to the relatively low numbers of seals coming ashore (10,091) which was 51% fewer than 1999/2000. Notwithstanding this, the incidence of entanglement has been following a declining trend since 1998/1999. Nevertheless, CCAMLR members need to continue their campaign to ensure that vessels are aware of, and comply with, regulations prohibiting the disposal of debris at sea.

Results of the survey of entanglements of Antarctic fur seals at Bird Island, South Georgia for the eleventh consecutive winter (2000) and thirteenth consecutive summer (2000/01) are reported here. The number of entanglements showed an increase from recent years, with 20 entanglements reported over winter and 22 during the summer breeding period. There were over three times more entanglements over the 2000 winter than in 1999; some of which can be explained by interannual variation in the fur seal population. Entanglements reported over summer were also up 57% on the previous year. Severe injuries accounted for 35% of entanglements over winter and 23% during the summer. As in previous years, most individuals observed entangled in debris were juveniles (80% of winter and 68% of summer observations). Of those entanglements where the animal could be sexed, males dominated the observations, with 67% of records over winter, and 59% during the summer puprearing period. The higher proportion of entangled males in the winter compared to summer reflects the sex ratio of Antarctic fur seals ashore over the winter months at Bird Island. Plastic packaging bands accounted for the majority of all entanglements in both the summer and winter periods. The prevalence of these bands in the Southern Ocean marine environment is cause for concern, as the number of entanglements involving them has increased to levels comparable with those before the CCAMLR ban on their use. This highlights the need for continued monitoring and increased effort in ensuring correct disposal of debris with the potential to entangle wildlife at sea.

During the tenth year of standardised beach surveys of man-made debris at Bird Island, South Georgia, a total of 408 items was collected. This represents a 92% increase on the total of 213 items collected in 1998/99, but is consistent with numbers in years prior to the 1998/99. A dramatic increase (310%) in the number of items collected over winter (April - September) from 41 items in 1998/99 to 168 items in 1999/2000 and a 40% increase in the number of items collected during summer reflect a return to the levels observed prior to 1998/99. Debris associated with fisheries remains the major constituent of all beach debris collected. This is a cause for concern, and suggests that CCAMLR needs to enhance its campaign to reduce the amount of man-made debris jettisoned into the Southern Ocean by fishing vessels.