Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 M600 LEADERBOARD

Over 75% of plastic in Great Pacific Garbage Patch originates from fishing

by The Ocean Cleanup 2 Sep 2022 22:09 UTC
Plastic extraction from System 002, The Ocean Cleanup's ocean system cleaning the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Many crates and buoys originating from fishing activities can be seen in the catch © The Ocean Cleanup

The Ocean Cleanup has today published new research in the journal Scientific Reports showing that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is largely composed of fishing-related plastic waste, with 75% to 86% of all plastic waste in the GPGP identified as coming from offshore fishing activity.

  • Study in 'scientific reports' indicates 75% to 86% of GPGP plastic attributable to offshore fishing and aquaculture activities
  • Majority of GPGP fishing gear originates from the U.S., China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula
  • Results emphasize the essential role of the fishing industry and major fishing nations in ocean cleaning
  • Plastic emissions from rivers remain by far largest source of plastic pollution into global ocean

Analysis of over 6,000 plastic objects also found that major industrialized fishing nations (including the United States, China, Japan and Korea) are the principal producers of the fishing waste found in the GPGP, an area three times the size of France and the world's largest accumulation of floating ocean plastic.

At a global level, emissions from rivers remain by far the largest source of plastic pollution into the oceans. However, specifically for the GPGP, this is not the case, and this confirms that the GPGP requires an approach not only involving cleanup and interception; this 'other source' of GPGP pollution - i.e., plastic originating from fishing activities - must also be tackled.

The Ocean Cleanup conducted the research on plastic objects and fragments captured in the GPGP during cleaning operations of its System 001/B solution in 2019. Researchers painstakingly investigated the origins, sources and ages of these objects to create the most comprehensive picture of GPGP plastic so far presented, building on The Ocean Cleanup's previous research, conducted in 2018.

"This research significantly expands our understanding of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch," said Matthias Egger, Ocean Plastic Researcher at The Ocean Cleanup. "In order to solve this problem we need to understand it, and identifying the origins of GPGP plastic is essential to our cleanup efforts, and the efforts of other organizations, to reduce this other source of pollution."

"To stop the inflow of plastic into our oceans, addressing river emissions - the largest source - must remain core priority," said Boyan Slat, founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup. "However, to ensure our work to clean up the GPGP is truly sustainable, fishing gear inputs must also be stopped. We hope our latest study will enable organizations and the fishing industry itself to address this other source of plastic pollution to the GPGP."

Related Articles

Boating/Fishing: Spin Cycle
New Spindrift Fishing Hoodie blends natural Merino wool with added features Now stocking, Whitewater Fishing's innovative new Spindrift Fishing Hoodie blends the natural qualities of premium Merino wool with added features and performance for fishing. Posted on 13 Mar
IGFA honors 2025 annual awards recipients
Highlighting leaders in conservation, sportsmanship, and angling excellence The International Game Fish Association (IGFA), a global nonprofit organization committed to the conservation of game fish and the promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices today announced the 2025 recipients of its prestigious Annual Awards. Posted on 12 Mar
ASA releases new online Trade & Commerce Hub
Dedicated information for decisions which impact the sportfishing industry Given the rapid developments on trade, tariffs and commerce from the Trump administration, ASA has released our new trade and commerce webpage. Posted on 11 Mar
Captain Kleppinger's night battles with tarpon
Russell Kleppinger manages to catch and release over 1,000 tarpon in a 7-month season The most committed angler will stop at nothing to land these nearly 200-pound beasts. Just ask PENN Fleet Captain Russell Kleppinger who manages to catch and release over 1,000 tarpon in a 7-month season. Posted on 9 Mar
"Sober Skipper™: Why It Matters" Series
Sea Tow Foundation releases new video featuring Angler Mike Iaconelli The Sea Tow Foundation™, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting boating safety, has launched the latest video in its "Sober Skipper™: Why It Matters" series, featuring professional bass angler Mike Iaconelli. Posted on 7 Mar
Top 10 baits from the Lake of the Ozarks
Breeden's consistency triumphs in Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Plains Division event at Lake of the Ozarks was one of the toughest events seen in a long time. Across the field, limits were almost impossible to come by - even the Top 10 couldn't guarantee full stringers. Posted on 6 Mar
RemigoOne now available in North America
Award-winning European design set to transform the small outboard market Remigo is proud to announce the North American launch of RemigoOne, the 3HP equivalent electric outboard that has redefined clean, quiet, and easy boating. Posted on 6 Mar
Live now! PENN Films - Episode 3
I am the Ocean, the Ocean Is me From a land rich in culture and out-of-this-world landscapes, a place where towering cliffs and long sandy beaches meet raw and powerful seas. Posted on 6 Mar
Marine Auctions March Online Auction
5 vessels unreserved and must be sold Online auction opening Friday 7th March closing Thursday 13th March 2025 at 2pm AEST. Posted on 6 Mar
DAIWA: New Deep Jigging Reel
Finessing the Fathoms The cartoon bubble for deep saltwater jigging often includes an exhausted angler pumping a broomstick rod and big clunky reel. Posted on 6 Mar
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo 2023 M600 FOOTER