Plastic lobster gear from US/Canada haunts Azores beaches

Plastic debris from North American lobster fisheries has been discovered on the Portuguese islands of Faial and Pico in the Azores, having traveled over 3,000 km across the Atlantic Ocean. Researchers have identified items such as trap components and tags, with the oldest piece dating back to 1983, indicating over 40 years of environmental persistence.

The study, conducted by the University of the Azores since 2010, found that 63% of the traceable waste originated from the United States, primarily Maine and Massachusetts, and 37% from Canada, specifically Newfoundland and Labrador. This oceanic journey confirms previous models of current circulation, demonstrating how isolated archipelagos are exposed to distant pollution sources.

This plastic waste, some over a decade old, highlights the immense durability of plastic materials in marine environments. While the study focused on the Azores, similar debris has been found along mainland European coasts, including Portugal, England, and Ireland. The economic significance of the lobster fishery in the US and Canada, involving millions of deployed traps annually, contributes to this pollution.

Scientists emphasize the importance of tackling this issue at its source by adopting traceable fishing gear practices, as recommended by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. The researchers aim to conduct further analysis on waste density and volume to better understand its overall contribution to plastic pollution. Their primary goal is to alert North American authorities to reduce plastic flow into the sea, preventing non-polluting populations from becoming victims.