When we are on board, we often see commercial shipping waste dumped into the sea. In general this includes food scraps and cardboard used by the crew but sometimes pieces of plastic that is very harmful to the marine environment is dumped. There are different materials that are permitted to be discarded at sea, depending on the area where the vessel is working, but dumping plastic is prohibited under any circumstances in any location. It is recognised that a plastic bottle will not degrade for over 450 years at sea.
On my last trip, I remember one day when the sea was very calm and it was possible to enjoy the weather despite being in such a typically fierce area as the seas to the south of Staten Island. The number of birds in the area was high. Among them were solitary species like the Wandering and Royal albatross, grey-headed albatross and the most abundant in that area, the Black-browed albatross plus good numbers of Giant petrels.
I was conducting a bird abundance count from the stern of the vessel and I could see that boxes, garbage bags and plastic containers had been tossed into the water on the port side. It seemed very unusual to have so much plastic thrown into the sea. The vessel was just starting to set baited hooks and the birds, apart from being attracted to the bait, came to investigate the waste dumped. It was clear that this could be fatal for the birds that were nearby.
It gives you a feeling of helplessness watching to see if the birds will ingest the plastic debris, mistaking it for food. It also provides a challenge to explain to the crew that this waste is very dangerous for all marine life.
I waited a few hours and then went to speak with the captain. I asked him if he had given permitted plastic waste to be disposed of at sea. I explained that many birds swallow plastics, such as pieces of cigarette lighters or plastic fishing line. My intention was to raise awareness and cause small changes in attitude that can protect seabirds. I then went direct to the crew members that manage the waste, normally the galley crew. I approached the subject of how to handle waste at sea.
During the rest of the journey I was relieved to see that no more waste was thrown in the water! When you spend such a long time living in close quarters with other people, you can and should attempt to change behaviours that threaten seabirds and other life in the marine ecosystem, that is everyone’s’ job.
The image shows a Cape petrel that was blown on board resting amongst some of the plastics that were stored over the rest of the trip. All plastics should be stowed and unloaded for correct disposal when vessels arrive in port.