Plastics at sea: Lost & FoundNatividad Sánchez, nsanchez@oceana.org 2 December, 2020

What is Oceana?

• Non-profit solely dedicated to ocean conservation

• In Europe since 2003

• Offices in Madrid, Brussels, Copenhagen, London

• We do:• Research

• Policy

• Communications

Surveying plastics in Spanish Mediterranean

• October 2020, off tourist season.

• Coastal area surveyed: Valencia - La Poblade Farnals.

• Divers, underwater drone (-300 m)

Findings (I): A diversity of throw-away objects

• Items found: fishing gear, sanitary products… and especially plastic bags and Single-Use Plastics!

• A dozen marine habitats explored (algae & Posidonia meadows, coralligenous, mud, sandy bottoms…): plastics in all of them.

Findings (II): Plastics impacting on marine habitats and species

Findings (III): Single-Use Plastics everywhere: food containers, cups, bottles

The EU SUP Directivewill ban or set reduction targets forsome of these itemsas from July 2021, but not for others

Lost but not Found: What we did not see

Litter reaches the deep sea via the wind, sewage, rivers…

Message in a bottle: the deep sea is the limit

• Plastic degradation is slower than in shallow waters due to the lack of sunlight, low temperatures and limited erosion

• Removing this debris is often technically and economically unfeasible

-1000 m

- 815 metres

Wildlife is heavily impacted

Proposals (Ia): Create plastic-free zones

Lead by example

Remove SUPs from town hall and venues open to the public. E.g.

• Stop using throw-away cups and bottles

• Reduce wrapping in canteens

Create PFZs in protected areas and beaches

Install water fountains

The best managed waste is the one you don’t need to manage. Reduce and reuse!

Proposals (Ib): Create plastic-free zones

Partner with hotels, restaurants, grocery shops

Remove single-use food containers and cups in bars and restaurants

Promote refillable systems. E.g.

• Beach bars

• Plastic-free events in the open air

Avoid single-portions (seasonings, toiletries)

Curb plastic bags

Favour bulk versus wrapped groceries

Proposals (II): Engage locals and visitors

Raise awareness about the impact of littering. E.g.

• Exhibit photos at the seafront showing damages to wildlife

• Disclose the cost of beach clean-ups

• Design tourist souvenirs that replace SUPs, such as refillable bottles

Prompt action. E.g.

• Ban massive releases of balloons

• Avoid cigarette butts on the beach

@ OceanaEurope

Oceana 2020 seafloorplastics survey. Video:

Photos in this presentation are © OCEANA, © OCEANA / Enrique Talledo, © OCEANA / Karina Erazo, © OCEANA / Natividad Sánchez, © OCEANA / Sophie Jouan