What Cost to Fishermen and Boaters?

While most man-made debris can create aesthetic or environmental problems, the qualities that have made plastics so successful make plastic debris a persistent threat in the ocean. Evidence is mounting that proliferation of plastics in the ocean is fast becoming a costly and dangerous hazard to smaller craft when it becomes wound around boat propellers or clogs seawater intakes and evaporators causing engine failure.

Vessel disablement of this type can lead to life threatening situations, particularly during storms, apart from the cost involved in repairs.

Plastic discarded at sea often collects in estuaries where it sinks to the bottom covering and possibly affecting much of the rich and diverse life on which juvenile fish feed and grow rapidly. There are 50 estuaries between the Orange River and Cape Agulhas and 293 from Agulhas to Ponta do Ouro on the East Coast. Only 24% of these in the Cape Province and 28% in Natal are rated as being in "good" condition. Eighty-one species of fish found in our waters - which include a number on angling species - are either fully or partially dependent on estuaries during certain phases of their life cycles.

Damage to estuaries can affect the marine food web which will ultimately affect commercial and recreational fishermen.

Where does plastic originate?

In 1975 the US National Academy of Sciences estimated that ocean sources dumped 7 billion kilograms of garbage into the sea annually: the staggering figure of 700 000 kilograms per hour! This figure includes all solid cargo and crew waste material that were assumed to be disposed of by the world's merchant shipping and fishing fleets, passenger cruise liners, military vessels, oil rigs and recreational boaters. 3.5 million kilograms annually was PLASTIC for merchant, commercial fishing and military vessels. Not only has the production of plastic commodities increased since this study, but so has the use of plastic proliferated in everyday living.

Many countries have now acceded to MARPOL annex V and have regulations preventing the disposal of plastics including fishing gear into the sea. However, we still have a long way to go before our seas are free of synthetic debris.

How is plastic pollution affecting South Africa?

Surface trawls done some 13 years ago, revealed about 3 500 particles of plastic per km2 coastal waters. At that time this had not reached densities found in the northern hemisphere where it is fast becoming a major environmental problem. However scientific surveys of some 50 South African beaches (1984, 1989 and 1994) showed a high percentage increase of macro-plastics and fishery-related products.

The vast majority of identifiable objects were produced in South Africa, indicating that most litter derives from local sources and a large proportion of all debris derives from land-based sources. This is cause for alarm.

Is there legislations to prevent plastic pollution?

The South African government promulgated legislation and regulations under MARPOL ANNEX V (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) on 8 November 1991 and 29 May 1992 respectively. These regulations prohibit the disposal into the sea of all plastics including but not limited to synthetic fishing nets and plastic garbage bags. Any person who fails to comply with these regulations could face a fine of R20 000, or imprisonment for two years, or both such fine and imprisonment.

To make this legislation effective individual effort and involvement is essential. Recreational fishermen and boat owners can become part of the solution in solving this growing problem by following a few simple rules:

Stow it don't throw it


*Keep your plastics and unwanted fishing line on your boat for later onshore disposal.

*Boat oil containers are a double source of marine pollution: plastic and oil. Never throw these overboard.

*Take reusable containers/utensils with you on boat trips whenever possible.

*Encourage your harbours and marinas to provide convenient trash disposal facilities.

*Set an example to others and encourage them to help.

Don't splash your trash