CCAMLR

Plastic particles were found to be common pollutants in stomachs of Wilson’s Storm Petrels and Cape Petrels breeding on the Antarctic continent. Highest incidence of plastics was found in chicks of Wilson’s Storm Petrels that had died before fledging. Few or no plastics were found in Snow Petrels and Antarctic Petrels. Evidence suggests that most plastics originate from wintering areas outside the Antarctic, and that relatively few plastics are available in Antarctic waters. Possible hazards of plastic levels observed in Wilson’s Storm Petrels are discussed.

Published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol. 19, No. 12: 672-674 (1998)

Neck collars of man-made marine debris were seen on 208 Antarctic fur seals (and removed from 170) during the 142 days of the 1988-89 pup-rearing season at Bird Island, South Georgia. This represents at least 0.1% of the total Bird Island population and a minimum of 0.4% of animals in the best covered areas; a maximum value might approach 1%. Poly-propylene straps (packaging bands) formed 59% of collars, nylon string (15%), fishing net (13%) and six other materials comprising the rest. Males accounted for 71% of entanglements, 88% of which were of young (1-4 years old) animals; females accounted for 64% of animals older than this. Obvious physical injury was being caused to 30% of animals and only on 19% of animals was the collar loose enough potentially to come off. The magnitude of the problem at South Georgia is similar to that with northern fur seals at the Pribilof Islands, where a significant population decline has occurred concurrently. Antarctic fur seals are still increasing in numbers but stricter controls on the jettisoning of debris into the Southern Ocean are needed if the entanglement problem is not to increase beyond the level of a potential threat.