Maryam Fasouli - Marine Pollution Prevention Expert, Ports & Maritime Organization PMO

The deleterious effects of plastic debris on the marine environment were reviewed bybringing together most of the literature published so far on the topic. A large number of marine speciesis known to be harmed and/or killed by plastic debris, which could jeopardize their survival, especiallysince many are already endangered by other forms of anthropogenic activities. Marine animals aremostly affected through entanglement in and ingestion of plastic litter. Other less known threatsinclude the use of plastic debris by ‘‘invader’’ species and the absorption of polychlorinated biphenylsfrom ingested plastics. Less conspicuous forms, such as plastic pellets and ‘‘scrubbers’’ are alsohazardous. To address the problem of plastic debris in the oceans is a difficult task, and a variety ofapproaches are urgently required. Some of the ways to mitigate the problem are discussed. It is widelydocumented that marine debris is detrimental to the marine ecological environment. While there arevarious sources of marine debris, that generated by ships constitutes a significant proportion. Annex Vof MARPOL 73/78 is to regulate the discharge of garbage from ships; in particular, it prohibits allkinds of plastics from being discharged into ocean.

Plastic debris; Pollution; Marine environment