CCAMLR

El Uruguay ha desarrollado un Programa de Relevamiento de Desechos Marinos en las áreas
costeras próximas a sus instalaciones en el Área del Tratado Antártico y por tanto en el Área de
la Convención correspondiente a la Subárea Estadística 48.1, donde se encuentra la B.C.A.A.
(Base Científica Antártica Artigas), en Isla Rey Jorge (o Isla 25 de Mayo), realizándose el
relevamiento de desechos en las playas seleccionadas de acuerdo al método establecido por la
Comisión, en un área Norte de la costa accesible desde la base en la Antártida.
La finalidad del programa es la de colaborar con las funciones de la Comisión en el análisis
de la efectivización de la conservación, mediante el seguimiento de indicativos que a través de
su manifestación como factores que pueden afectar los recursos vivos marinos antárticos, dan
pautas de la orientación de las actividades de recolección y conexas hacia la utilización racional
de estos recursos, en el cumplimiento de las disposiciones de la Convención y las medidas
acordadas en su conformidad.

The results of the seventh annual survey of entanglement of Antarctic fur seals at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands are reported for the 2002/2003 summer season. There was a single sighting of a seal wearing a neck collar of man-made debris. Data are compared with results from a parallel study undertaken at Bird Island, South Georgia in 2002/03. In the case of Bird Island, data indicated that the number of entangled fur seals had decreased by 67% compared to the previous year, this being the lowest number recorded at Bird island since1999/00. Although such a decrease is encouraging, the presence of the entangled seal at Signy, together with the considerable number of seals with neck collars at Bird Island, highlights the need for CCAMLR members to continue their campaign to ensure that vessels are aware of and comply with regulations prohibiting the disposal of man-made debris at sea.

During the 2002/03 austral summer the thirteenth annual beach debris survey was carried out at Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. Debris was cleared each month between December and March from the three study beaches. The debris was counted, measured and classified by type, material, mass and size categories. A total of 54 items weighing 27.36kg were collected. The number of items found was the largest since 1999/00 and the total mass of the waste recovered was the highest recorded since 1994/95 (an increase of 38% and 7% since 2001/02 respectively). There was an increase in the number of plastic packaging bands (twenty three) from the total recorded the previous season (eight), this increase continued the change in trend that began last season in what had otherwise been a declining trend since 1993/94. Such a continued increase in the number of these packaging bands found indicates that the ban on their use aboard fishing vessels brought into force by CCAMLR in 1995/96 has yet to prove entirely effective and should continue. Plastic waste was predominant, as in previous seasons, making up 67% of all items recorded, followed by wood at 11%. Classifying the waste by source revealed that most had originated from ships or fishing vessels, with four items being of BAS origin. The results of this seasons litter survey, with the continued increase in items found which began last season, clearly shows that the longevity of plastics and other materials with a high resistance to degradation in the marine environment remains a problem and highlights the need for continued monitoring to ensure that vessels are aware of, and comply with, regulations prohibiting the disposal of debris at sea.