CCAMLR

This report describes and quantifies occurrences of fishing gear, marine debris and oil associated with seabirds at Bird Island, South Georgia from 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004. It is the eleventh such annual report. As in most previous years, more items of fishing gear (mostly longlining gear) were found in association with wandering albatrosses than with any other species, although the number has decreased substantially since last year. Grey-headed albatross collected the highest number of marine debris items, mostly small plastic fragments, of the study species. The quantity of fishing gear and entanglements associated with giant petrels (northern and southern) was well above the average, as was the number of debris items collected. An increase in the amount of debris and fishing items associated with brown skuas was recorded for the first time and was probably attributable to an increase in observer effort associated with greater field-work intensity. Hooks were typical of those used in the toothfish fishery around South Georgia and the Falklands and evidence of the discarding of longline hooks in offal and bycatch is of concern.

During the 2003/04 austral summer the fourteenth annual beach debris survey was carried out at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. Debris was cleared each month between December and March from the three study beaches. The debris was counted, measured and classified by type, material, mass and size categories. A total of 21 items weighing 11.59kg were collected. The number of items found was lower than the total found during the previous season, as was the total mass of the waste recovered (a decrease of 61% and 57.56% since 2002/03 respectively). There was a decrease in the number of plastic packaging bands (5) from the total recorded the previous season (twenty three), this decrease reversing the rise in packaging bands experienced over the previous two seasons and marking a return to what has otherwise proved a declining trend since 1993/94. Despite this seasons decrease in these packaging bands, the fact that they continue to appear as beach debris indicates that the ban on their use aboard fishing vessels brought into force by CCAMLR in 1995/96 has yet to prove entirely effective and should continue. Plastic waste was predominant, as in previous seasons, making up 62% of all items recorded, followed by wood at 24%. The results of this seasons litter survey, clearly shows that the longevity of plastics and other materials with a high resistance 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.

In the fourteenth consecutive winter of the survey at Bird Island, South Georgia, the number of entanglements increased by 56% compared to last year and the majority of injuries were classified as severe (71%). In contrast the sixteenth consecutive summer of reporting saw a decrease of 45% compared to last year and was the lowest number of entanglements recorded since the first observations were made in 1989. Severe injuries accounted for only a single entanglement during the summer. As in previous years, most individuals observed entangled in debris were juveniles (79% of winter and 55% of summer observations). Of the entanglements where the animal could be sexed, males made up the majority in both seasons. Although there was a welcome reduction in plastic packaging band entanglements in the summer (27%), they caused the majority of winter entanglements (71%). For the second year running no entanglements in fishing nets were observed. These findings 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 thirteenth year of standardised beach surveys of man-made debris at Bird Island, South Georgia, a total of 183 items was collected. This represents a 5.0% decrease on the total recorded in 2001/02 and the lowest levels of beach debris during summer since the first year of recording in 1990/91. The distribution of debris between summer and winter was similar to the previous year with 26% of the total number of items collected during the winter. The total weight of debris collected (3.6 kg) was a decrease of 1 kg since last year. There was a decrease in the proportion of nylon fishing line (braid) and plastic packaging bands (only 0.6 % and 2.2% of the annual total, respectively) compared to previous years. The greatest proportion of debris (95 %) was miscellaneous debris. The reduction in fishing gear found on the beach throughout the recording period, particularly during the winter months when the fisheries at South Georgia are most active, is encouraging. Nevertheless, the amount of miscellaneous debris such as ropes and Styrofoam, which has increased during the summer by an order of magnitude over the last decade, indicates that debris is still being lost by vessels into the marine environment. All vessels operating in this region should be encouraged to comply not only the correct waste disposal procedures for fishing-related waste, but for all types of waste.

The results of the eighth annual survey of entanglement of Antarctic fur seals at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands are reported for the 2003/2004 summer season. There were no sightings of seals wearing neck collars of man-made debris. Data are compared with results from a parallel study undertaken at Bird Island, South Georgia in 2003/04. In the case of Bird Island, data indicated that the number of entangled fur seals had decreased by 31% compared to the previous year, this being the lowest number recorded at Bird island between the austral summers of 1988/89 and 2003/04. Although such a decrease is encouraging, the number of seals with neck collars at Bird Island, highlights the need for CCAMLR members to continue their campaign to ensure that vessels are aware of and comply with regulations prohibiting the disposal of man-made debris at sea.

The current status of national surveys on monitoring of marine debris and their impact on marine mammals and seabirds in the Convention Area has been reviewed. The CCAMLR Marine Debris Database contains data from 11 sites, all within Area 48. Uruguay submitted data on beached marine debris at King George Island for the fourth consecutive year. There are now 4 sites that have data for more than 3 consecutive years, these are: Cape Shirreff, (Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands); Bird Island, (South Georgia); Signy Island, (South Orkney Islands), and King George Island, (South Shetland Islands).
Marine debris, principally packaging items, fishing gear, and wood items, reached a peak in the period 1994-1996 at Bird Island and Signy Island, but have declined thereafter. The level of marine debris found in grey-headed albatross and wandering albatross colonies at Bird Island in 2004 has substantially declined from previous seasons. Fishing gear such as lines and hooks continue to form the major part of the debris associated with seabird colonies. Marine mammal (Antarctic fur seal) entanglements were reported for the first time from Cape Shirreff. The number of Antarctic Fur seal entanglements at Bird Island reached a peak in 1993 and has showed a general decline since, with the lowest levels on record being reported for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Packaging bands, synthetic string and longline fragments continue to be the main entangling materials. For the first time an Adélie penguin was reported entangled at King George Island during the 2002 season, with nylon wrapped around its wing. The number of seabirds contaminated with hydrocarbons remains low.

Durante las temporadas antárticas 2002/2003 y 2003/2004 se continuó con las recolecciones de desechos marinos en las playas de Cabo Shirreff, isla Livingston. Se obtuvo un total de 337 artículos durante la temporada 2002/2003, con un peso de 5,02 kg y con un 88% de plásticos, y 626 restos de basuras en la temporada 2003/2004, con un peso de 39,05 kg y 97% de elementos plásticos. En total, para ambas temporadas se recolectaron 963 artículos con un peso de 44,07 kg, con un 93% de plásticos. Se observó una notoria y progresiva disminución del número de artículos recolectados, comparados con los 1609 artículos obtenidos durante la temporada antártica 1996/1997. En cuanto al peso de los desechos, éste también ha disminuido ya que los objetos recolectados han sido más livianos que en otras temporadas. Así, por ejemplo, hay zunchos plásticos, trozos de poliestireno, botellas plásticas y envases, principalmente. En estas dos últimas temporadas el peso de los desechos ha sido casi similar, en una razón de 1: 22 artículos recolectados. Esta disminución en las últimas recolecciones es, presumiblemente, una consecuencia de las medidas tomadas por la CCRVMA para contribuir a minimizar este problema y cambiar favorablemente la conducta de las personas que trabajan a bordo de embarcaciones, especialmente en el Área de la Convención. Sin embargo, aun se puede observar la presencia de desechos que contravienen a las medidas dispuestas por dicha convención, como los zunchos plásticos enlazados, que se duplicaron en la reciente temporada 2003/2004 comparada con la anterior; así también persisten, aunque en bajo porcentaje, desechos de artículos sanitarios y restos de plásticos incinerados. No menos importante fue la recolección de numerosos trozos de cajas de huevo que podrían convertirse en un latente foco de propagación de enfermedades aviares, ya que se ignoran los procedimientos higiénicos utilizados durante su envasado. Finalmente, se sugiere una interesante línea de investigación, para estudiar posibles enfermedades bacterianas transportadas en las porosidades de los plásticos a la deriva.