New Marine Debris Report and Net Kit highlight deadly problem
21 Jun 2004
WWF-Australia in Darwin has released its 4th marine debris survey in partnership with Sea Rangers from six Indigenous communities at Cape Arnhem, Groote Eylandt, Elcho Island, McArthur River and Cobourg Peninsula. The unique report is the only comprehensive annual survey conducted into the marine debris problem in northern Australia, and confirms the continued threat to marine habitats and species.
The surveys show that the rubbish keeps coming.
- In 2003, 9,100 items were collected from Cape Arnhem including 248 fishing nets. Groote Eylandt and Elcho Island, Bing Bong and Cobourg Peninsula were also surveyed. These additional survey sites recorded a further 5,000 debris items
- In 2002, 7,100 marine debris items were collected from Cape Arnhem including 590 fishing nets. A further 8 kilometres surveyed on Groote Eylandt and Elcho Island and collected a further 3,000 debris items
- In 2001, 21,700 marine debris items were collected from Cape Arnhem. This included 600 fishing nets, 3,000 floats, 4,000 plastic bottles, and 3,000 thongs all collected over a two-week period from an eight-kilometre stretch of beach.
- In 2000, 7,500 marine debris items were collected from a 9km stretch of beach at Cape Arnhem, including 502 fishing nets
To help tackle the problem WWF have also produced a new Net Kit to identify the type and probable origin of derelict fishing nets. The Net Kit uses photographs and netting specifications to identify the 185 different net types that have washed ashore in Northern Australia over recent years. The specifications include colour, mesh size, twine size, net use and probable country of origin.
The coasts of north-east Arnhem Land and the Gulf of Carpentaria in northern Australia are being swamped by tonnes of discarded fishing gear and other debris. The report suggests that the majority originates from fishing operations in the Arafura and Timor Seas. It includes derelict fishing nets, strapping bands, crates, buoys and floats. There are also large numbers of plastic items including water bottles, shampoo bottles, oil containers, toothbrushes and cigarette lighters. Rubber thongs and other footwear are also common.
The nets are entangling marine life, causing navigational hazards and impacting Indigenous coastal communities. When floating in open waters, they are a navigational hazard to marine vessels and catch marine animals such as fish and sharks as well as protected and endangered species such as marine turtles.
Marine debris degrades marine habitats and beaches and has economic effects on activities such as fisheries and tourism. The problem is a major concern to Indigenous communities as it impacts on animals and landscapes for which they have established cultural connections.
"This year's report once again throws the spotlight on the deadly problem of marine debris, it is the major cause of marine species mortality and coastal pollution in the Arafura and Timor seas," says the report's author, WWF's Damian White. "There are six species of marine turtles WWF is monitoring in the Northern Territory - four of those have been found caught in derelict nets. The critically endangered hawksbill turtle now unfortunately constitutes 47 per cent of all reported strandings."
- Dhimurru Rangers have found 200 turtles entangled in fishing nets near Cape Arnhem over the past five years. Findings from the Queensland Government reveal that in Queensland, on the opposite side of the Gulf of Carpentaria, 500 entangled turtles were found over three years.
- One net washed ashore at Weipa contained 14 turtles, a shark, and several crustaceans.
- Fishermen tell stories of a dolphin and turtle graveyard among the nets that drape the cliffs of Cape Wessell.
- Each year entangled turtles have been rescued by commercial fishermen, customs vessels, the Australian Navy and workers on oilrigs in the Timor Sea.
- The Net Kit is allowing these groups to report what they are finding at sea, where previously there has been no mechanism for reporting strandings.
The combination of the Marine Debris Report and Net Kit will provide important information for regional and national dialogue with governments and the fishing industry to find solutions to the problem.
Key recommendations from the report include
- an immediate investigation of the waste management practises at sea by fishing vessels
- increasing waste disposal facilities in the regions commercial ports
- targeted education campaigns both in Australia and internationally
- developing mechanisms to reduce the anonymity of dumping nets at sea
For media enquiries call
Andy Ridley, WWF Senior Manager Communications. Ph: +61 2 8202 1237, 0415 865 992 or aridley@wwf.org.au
