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Transboundary plastic pollution from North American lobster fisheries reaches Atlantic Islands
Summary
Plastic gear from lobster fisheries in the US and Canada, mostly trap tags, has been washing up on remote Azores islands in the Atlantic, some pieces having drifted at sea for over 30 years. This shows plastic pollution doesn't stay put: trash from fishing boats thousands of miles away ends up breaking down in faraway ocean ecosystems, where it can persist for decades and eventually contribute to the microplastics that enter seafood and, ultimately, our diets. The findings highlight the need for better tracking of fishing gear and international cooperation to stop plastic waste at its source before it spreads
Oceanic islands are strongly affected by marine debris transported across long distances, highlighting the transboundary nature of plastic pollution and the challenges it poses for marine governance. While identifying the sources of most marine debris remains difficult, fisheries-related items can act as traceable indicators of origin and responsibility. This study presents a detailed inventory of plastic debris from lobster fisheries in eastern North America recovered in the Azores archipelago (NE Atlantic). A total of 1577 items were recorded, mainly lobster escape vents and trap tags. Analysis showed that most trap tags originated from the USA (63%), mainly from the state of Maine (76%), whereas the remaining tags were from Canada. Tags dated from 1983 to 2023, indicating that some debris had drifted in the North Atlantic for over three decades. The average time between tag registration and collection was 12 ± 7 years for US tags. These findings demonstrate how remote islands are affected by transboundary plastics and underscore the challenges faced by management authorities of island nations. The results support the need for coordinated international policies, improved gear marking and reporting systems, and preventive measures targeting lobster trap fisheries to reduce long-term plastic leakage into the marine environment.