Posted: March 5th, 2024

Studying the use of biodegradable plastics and alternative materials for fishing gear in the Red Sea to reduce marine debris

Studying the use of biodegradable plastics and alternative materials for fishing gear in the Red Sea to reduce marine debris

Introduction

Marine debris is a global environmental problem that affects the health and biodiversity of marine ecosystems, as well as the safety and livelihoods of coastal communities. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), marine debris is defined as “any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material discarded, disposed of or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment” . The majority of marine debris is composed of plastic, which can persist for centuries in the ocean and break down into microplastics that can be ingested by marine organisms or accumulate in sediments .

One of the main sources of plastic marine debris is fishing gear, which includes nets, lines, traps, pots, buoys and other equipment used for fishing activities. Fishing gear can be lost, abandoned or discarded in the ocean due to various reasons, such as storms, accidents, vandalism, illegal fishing or lack of proper disposal facilities . This phenomenon is known as abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) or “ghost gear”. Ghost gear can entangle, injure or kill marine animals, such as fish, turtles, seabirds and mammals, causing negative impacts on biodiversity, food security and animal welfare . Ghost gear can also damage coral reefs, seagrass beds and other habitats, as well as interfere with navigation and pose hazards to human health .

The Red Sea is one of the most diverse and productive marine ecosystems in the world, hosting more than 1,200 species of fish and 250 species of coral . It is also an important economic resource for the countries bordering it, providing fisheries, tourism and trade opportunities. However, the Red Sea is also facing increasing threats from marine debris, especially from fishing gear. A recent study estimated that about 640 tons of fishing gear are lost or discarded annually in the Red Sea, representing 2% of the total fishing gear used in the region . The study also found that ghost gear accounted for 28% of the total plastic debris collected on beaches and 71% of the total plastic debris collected on coral reefs in the Red Sea .

One of the possible solutions to reduce the impact of fishing gear on marine debris is to use biodegradable plastics and alternative materials that can degrade faster and safer in the marine environment. Biodegradable plastics are plastics that can be decomposed by microorganisms into water, carbon dioxide and biomass under specific conditions . Alternative materials are materials that are not derived from fossil fuels and have lower environmental impacts than conventional plastics, such as plant-based polymers, paper or natural fibers . Several studies have shown that biodegradable plastics and alternative materials can be used to produce fishing gear that has similar performance and durability as conventional fishing gear, but with less potential to harm marine life and ecosystems if lost or discarded [^10^-^12^].

The aim of this research paper is to study the use of biodegradable plastics and alternative materials for fishing gear in the Red Sea to reduce marine debris. The paper will address the following research questions:

– What are the current types and amounts of fishing gear used in the Red Sea and how much of it contributes to marine debris?
– What are the environmental and socio-economic impacts of fishing gear on marine debris in the Red Sea?
– What are the existing policies and initiatives to prevent and manage fishing gear waste in the Red Sea?
– What are the potential benefits and challenges of using biodegradable plastics and alternative materials for fishing gear in the Red Sea?
– What are the best practices and recommendations for implementing biodegradable plastics and alternative materials for fishing gear in the Red Sea?

The paper will be structured as follows: Section 2 will provide a literature review on the background and context of fishing gear waste and marine debris in the Red Sea. Section 3 will present the methodology used for data collection and analysis. Section 4 will report the results and findings of the data analysis. Section 5 will discuss the implications and limitations of the results. Section 6 will conclude with a summary and suggestions for future research.

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