CCAMLR

The seventh annual beach debris survey was carried out at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands during the 1996/97 austral summer. Debris was cleared each month between December and March from three study beaches, Cummings Cove, Foca Cove and Starfish Cove. The debris was counted, measured and classified by type, material, weight and size categories. Logistical difficulties prevented a January survey from being carried out at Cummings Cove. A total of 34 items weighing 1.61 kg were collected at Cummings Cove, 18 items weighing 1.42 kg were found at Foca Cove and 6 items with a total weight of 0.68 kg were found at Starfish Cove. The total amount of marine debris collected from the three beaches was the lowest recorded since the surveys began in 1990, both in terms of weight and number of items. This follows a continuing downward trend since 1993/94. The proportion of plastic items found remained high, accounting for 79% of all items found. Despite the ban on the use of packaging bands aboard fishing vessels which was brought into force by CCAMLR in 1996, almost half (49%) of the plastic items found at Signy were packaging bands. These had all been cut. Although the amount of debris collected at Signy Island in 1996/97 was the lowest ever recorded, the considerable number of packaging bands still being washed ashore indicates that CCAMLR members must take further steps to ensure that vessels are aware of, and comply with, regulations preventing the disposal of debris in the Southern Ocean.

The sixth year of surveys of beached man-made debris at Bird Island, South Georgia revealed a total of 710 items, 2% less than the record total of 725 items in 1994/95. However, whereas the total amount of debris collected during the winter (April-September) was 40% lower than in 1994/95, the number of items collected at the end of summer (March) was 75% greater than the previous year, which was itself an 8-fold increase over any earlier value. Nylon line, identical with that attached to longline gear, accounted for 77% of items, nearly all of which clearly originated from fishing vessels. The continuing high levels of man-made debris and the recent rapid increase in levels during summer, coinciding with increases in entanglement of Antarctic fur seals, is of growing concern. Furthermore, despite the CCAMLR ban on the use of packaging bands being in force during 1995/96, the total number of packaging bands found ashore was the highest for many years, as was the proportion of these which were uncut. CCAMLR needs to take further steps to counteract the current trend of increase in amounts of man-made debris being jettisoned into the Southern Ocean.