Guest blog by Dr Jennifer Lavers, Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science
On 22 May 2015, the RSPB expedition team arrived on Henderson Island (Pitcairn Group, UK Overseas Territory) to better understand the ecology of this remote and rarely visited island. Over the next month the team will collect more data on vegetation, landbirds, rats, and seabirds, before being relieved by another crew at the end of August. You can read part 1 and part 2 of the Henderson Island science expedition here.
Catching fish to examine for plastic contamination
After 4 weeks of fairly breezy weather the wind calmed down for a single day this week, offering the first opportunity to swim across Henderson's reef, watch sharks and catch some fish patrolling the outer reef edge. One shark also took the opportunity to come onto the reef and promptly beached itself in front of the RSPB crew, some of whom were at the time contemplating to go for a swim (but then decided otherwise).
Photo of East Beach, Henderson Island by Tara Proud.
The fishing opportunity also provided stomach contents of previously unsampled fish, which were immediately examined to see whether they contained plastic. Henderson Island is one of the remotest places on the planet, yet the amount of plastic garbage on the beach is remarkable. As an experienced seabird biologist studying plastic contamination of seabirds and the marine environment, I have encounted and weighed more than 15,000 pieces of plastic along four short transects (a painstaking task that would be impossible without assistance from some very dedicated helpers).
Items are sorted by type (e.g., fishing float) and origin, providing information on the source of the problem, and therefore, possible solutions.
Some very unexpected items have been found washed up on the beaches of this uninhabited island: dozens of toothbrushes, hair combs, hundreds of cigarette lighters, bottles from as far away as Scotland (Famous Grouse Whisky), two toy tea cups, numerous toy car tyres, and a kids water pistol.
Over the next few months the team will collect more data on vegetation, landbirds, rats, and seabirds, before being relieved by another crew at the end of August.
The Henderson Island expedition is funded by The Darwin Initiative and David & Lucile Packard Foundation.
Find out more about our Henderson Island Restoration Programme
Great efforts you are all to be saluted.
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