Marine Litter Vital Graphics
ec.europa.eu
Foreword
Every year, the sum of humanity’s knowledge increases exponentially. And as we learn more, we also learn there is much we still don’t know. Plastic litter in our oceans is one area where we need to learn more, and we need to learn it quickly. That’s one of the main messages in Marine Litter Vital Graphics. Another important message is that we already know enough to take action.
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What is marine litter and why it is of concern
Just as human activities are varied and widespread, so are the sources of litter. The sources may be located directly at sea, on the coast or further inland. Litter can be transported
over long distances and into all marine habitats – from the surf zone all the way to remote mid-oceanic gyres and the deep sea floor. Like other pollutants, marine litter affects habitats, ecological function and the health of organisms of the ecosystems where it accumulates.
*The terms litter and debris are considered to have the same meaning in this report and are used interchangeably throughout.
Any human-made object that does not naturally degrade within days or months can potentially become marine litter if it is not properly managed. Common litter items are made of paper, wood, textiles, metal, glass, ceramics, rubber and plastic discarded by humans (UNEP, 2005).
DEFINITIONS
5
Foreword
6
What is marine litter and why it is of concern
10
Modern times, marine litter
14
Ecological impacts of marine plastic debris and microplastics
18
Economic and social costs of marine plastic pollution
20
Plastic in the food chain – a threat to human health?
22
We all contribute to this problem. Yes, all
34
Final destination: The Ocean…
37
My litter your problem, your litter my problem
40
Out of sight, out of mind?
42
What are the policy responses to the problem?
46
Better (and cheaper) to be tidy than to have to tidy up
50
Big questions that remain unanswered
52
Conclusions
54
References
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