CCAMLR

Pollutants found in association with seabirds at subantarctic Marion Island for the period May 1996 to April 1998 are reported. Standardised searches and incidental finds show a large increase between the 1996/97 and the 1997/98 field seasons. Fishing gear increased at a rate ten times higher than other (non-fishing) pollutants over this period. Sixty rope nooses used for suspending toothfish in blastfreezers and 23 toothfish hooks were found. All the rope nooses, and 19 of the-books were found during the second year. This increase in fishing gear from 1996/97 to 1997/98 is interesting in view of the fact that the large influx of illegal toothfish vessels to the Prince Edward Islands waters occurred during the 1996/97 season. Prior to this study three Southern Blue fin Tuna hooks had been found at Marion Island, between 1992 and 1996. Three seabirds (a Southern Giant Petrel, a Northern Giant Petrel, and a Subantarctic Skua) were found entangled in fishing gear, while five seabird carcasses (three Wandering Albatross chicks, one Whitechinned Petrel chick and a Southern Giant Petrel adult) were found with ingested fishing gear.

Standardised beach litter surveys at subantarctic Marion Island for the period 1996 to 1998 are reported, and compared to surveys done in 1984 and 1995, prior to the onset of unregulated illegal fishing in this area. An exponential increase in the litter accumulation was noted in annual accumulation studies at designated beaches. Styrofoam pieces and plastic bottles showed the largest increases while fishing equipment also doubled during this period. An increase in the number and proportion of Spanish script items was noted, while French items only appeared after the onset of illegal fishing. Monthly accumulation showed a strong seasonal effect, which also corresponded to periods of reported illegal fishing. Of the litter iteITIS that could identified to their place of origin, most were from South America, while Oriental and French items also featured significantly. French items are noteworthy in light of reports of illegal fishing vessels using Port Louis, Mauritius, to land catches and resupply. A fast turnover rate of litter and very little accumulation effect was recorded in a beach litter retention study.

The eighth annual beach debris survey was carried out at Signy Island (UK), South Orkney Islands during the 1997/98 austral summer. Debris was cleared each month between January and March from three study beaches, Cummings Cove, Foca Cove and Starfish Cove after the prolonged presence of sea ice around the South Orkney Islands prevented the base from opening until 12 January. The debris was counted, measured and classified by type, material, weight and size categories. A total of 29 items weighing 3.6 kg were collected at Cummings Cove, 11 items weighing 0.9 kg were found at Foca Cove and four items with a total weight of 1.7 kg were found at Starfish Cove. The total number of marine debris items collected from the beaches was the lowest recorded since the surveys began in 1990. This follows a continuing downward trend since 1993/94. The total weight of debris was 400/0 higher compared with 1996/97 but was still the second lowest recorded. The proportion of plastic items found remained high, accounting for 570/0 of all items found. Despite the ban on the use of packaging bands aboard fishing vessels brought into force by CCAMLR in 1996, 36% of the debris found at Signy were packaging bands although the number recovered has been decreasing since 1993/94. The reduction in debris reported at Signy Island in 1997/98 continues a promising trend. However the considerable amount of plastic, particularly packaging bands, still being washed ashore highlights the need for continued monitoring and increased effort to ensure that vessels are aware of, and comply with, regulations prohibiting the disposal of garbage at sea.