Plastic Pollution and Marine Conservation

The provided assignment delves into the issue of plastic pollution in marine environments. It cites several references [1-7] that discuss the problem's magnitude, its effects on biodiversity, and potential remedies such as international agreements, education for plastic waste management, and circular economy measures. The assignment seems to be from a course or program focusing on environmental studies, possibly aiming at students to understand the complexities of marine plastic pollution and the need for sustainable practices.

Policy brief
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TABLE OF CONTENT
HIGHLIGHTS.................................................................................................................................3
CONTEXT AND PROBLEM STATEMENT.................................................................................3
Stating the issue and justifying the reason for its importance................................................3
Explaining the scope and scale of the issue............................................................................4
Identifying the areas where changes are required and stating the reason for same................6
Effects of inaction or policies which have been implemented...............................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
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HIGHLIGHTS
Plastic waste in oceans might lead to increase in the risk to the life of marine species. Such
type of water pollution can have negative effect on the health of marine species. This is issue of
major concern as such type of pollution in the ocean also have negative impact on the
biodiversity. There are many variables which contributes to the collection of plastic waste in the
ocean.
It is required by government in Britain to formulate as well as implement policies for
reducing the plastic wastes in the oceans. Presently, MARPOL is the annexure which is designed
by the legal authority ion Britain for controlling the sea based waste disposal.
The report will highlight the reason why the plastic pollution is the major problem. Study
will emphasize on analyzing the problem statement. It will also provide the suitable solutions for
specific problem.
CONTEXT AND PROBLEM STATEMENT
Stating the issue and justifying the reason for its importance
The huge amount of plastic waste is disposed in the ocean by people. Reason of increase in
plastic pollution in ocean is lack of strict enforcement of policies. The annexure that is MARPOL
exempt global fishing vessels, which means that they can dispose plastic or other type of waste
in the ocean. Considering the fact that plastic pollution can have serious consequences, it is
important for local people as well as government in the country to identify the issue and find
suitable solutions for dealing with the same.
Plastic pollution is considered to be major issue as plastics are filling landfills at an
alarming rate. It is causing great harm to the life of marine species. There has been continuous
rise in the death of marine species due to the consumption of microbe’s plastic 1 .
1 Borrelle, S.B., Rochman, C.M., and Provencher, J.F., 2017. Opinion: why we need an international
agreement on marine plastic pollution. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 114(38).
pp.9994-9997.
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Figure 1: Increase in plastic pollution
(Source: Ocean Pollution Facts, 2018)
Dispersion of plastic
There are number of ways through which plastic waste can enter into the ocean. The two
major sources through which plastic waste can enter into ocean these are sea and land based
pathways. It has been identified that approx. 60-80 percent of plastic contribute to a total
biomass of marine waste globally, and this waste moves in the complete oceans due to high
waves which further result in garbage throughout the ocean.
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Explaining the scope and scale of the issue
It has been estimated that approx. 7.5 million tonnes of plastic is disposed in the ocean
every year. The estimation made by UN environment program states that approx. 95 percent of
the marine litter found on coastlines, sea surface, and in the ocean 2.
Discussion on the topic
Plastic are generally used by companies for packaging the products. Substance which has
made significant contribution in advancing healthcare as well as has assisted in elevation of
poverty. It has been identified that approximately eighty percent planning pollution originates
from land based source. Further, the increase in global plastic consumption has been expected to
grow by four hundred million tonnes by 2050.
The government in Britain ban the use of plastic packaging in the nation. Many people in
the nation perceives that micro beads ban is not good for environment, as it gives human being a
confidence about the quality of food that they eat. The legal authority chief medical officer states
that this tactic implemented by the government will assist in reducing or eliminating the various
types of risks associated with plastic pollution in ocean.
Effect or consequences of plastic pollution waste in ocean
Plastic pollution in considered as an important and big issues because it has serious
consequences which might affect life of human being a swell as marine species. The plastic
pollution has negative effect on the marine environment. Such type of pollution causes great
harm to marine species. Consumption of plastic waste by marine organism can lead to
enlargement as well as ingestion. Plastic waste when consume can result into death of water
animals. Such type of waste consists of chemicals which are during the time of manufacturing
which can absorb as well as concentrate containments such as heavy metal, pesticides, organic
pollutants etc. Breathing in tiny airborne particles of plastic by marine species can cause lung
damage. Over time, plastic waste slowly degrades and breaks down into tiny micro-fragments
which are also causing scientists concern. In addition to this above consequences and harm,
2 Chow, C.F., Cheung, T.Y. and Yeung, S.K.D., 2017. Plastic Waste Problem and Education for Plastic
Waste Management. In Emerging Practices in Scholarship of Learning and Teaching in a Digital Era (pp.
125-140). Springer, Singapore.
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plastic pollution in the ocean can lead to the malnutrition in in the fist. It can also cause plastic
ingestion in body of human being.
Other effects off ocean pollution are decrease in level of oxygen in water, failure of
reproductive system of marine species etc.
ANALYSIS
Identifying the areas where changes are required and stating the reason for same
It has been analysed that approximately forty percent of plastic in the country is mainly
used for packaging. Only less than one fifth of the plastic is recycled. The Packaging companies
in the nation are required to use other or eco- friendly material for packaging. It has been
concluded that an effective long-term change can only be achieved by working at international
level. Analysis displays that baby birds fed more plastic by their parents have shorter wings and
poorer health. It has been analyzed that approx. seven hundred marine species have been effected
by the plastic pollution in the ocean. In addition to this, ingestion is considered to be a major risk
to life of marine species. The policy maker has important role to play in developing the
legislative framework for stimulating mitigation actions which contributes to a minimization of
plastic waste in the ocean 3.
It has been analyzed that UK and devolved Governments have each introduced plastic
bag charges to reduce the number of carrier bags in circulation. This strategy has contributed a
lot in reducing the plastic waste. It has been analyzed that government of Britain has formulated
an effective policy as well as strategies, but they have failed to implement the same on right
time. The charitable trust of Marine conservation society has commented that marine plastic
approach adopted by legal authority was not sufficient as it lacks commitment to implement
actions for addressing the problems. It has also been analyzed that there was no timeline was set
by government for implementing plan or actions.
3 Dauvergne, P., 2018. The power of environmental norms: marine plastic pollution and the politics of
microbeads. Environmental Politics.27(4). pp.579-597.
4.Lasut, M.T., Weber, M., Kaunang, S.T. and Lott, C., 2018. From Coral Triangle to Trash Triangle—How the Hot
spot of Global Marine Biodiversity Is Threatened by Plastic Waste. In Proceedings of the International
Conference on Microplastic Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea (pp. 107-113). Springer, Cham
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Other facts which has been analyzed is that approximately twenty percent of trash comes
from ships and platforms that are offshore. The rest of the sources from litter are being blown
into the sea, picked up by tides on the beach, or through intentional garbage dumping. It has been
analyzed that local people in the country contributes thirty percent to sewage related waste. The
other facts which has been discovered utilizing the Australian which displays that around thirty-
three percent of plastic mariner pollution originates from drinking bottles.
The other facts which has been discovered are that more than eight billion plastics have
been manufactured by producers since 1950. It has been analyzed that most of the plastic waste
has been discarded in the landfills.
. In addition to this, it is required by the government to regular review and make
improvement in legislations for reducing the plastic pollution in environment. It has been stated
by British plastic federations that ban of plastic will not help in dealing with the problem. Instead
of applying this tactic, government in Britain need to take initiatives for increasing the recycling
rate.
It has been analyzed that Ocean pollution affects more than 817 animal species around the
world, a figure that has increased 23% in the last 5 years alone 4. A recent investigation, it has
been discovered that ocean pollution is most commonly found in deep water with most common
waste is metal cans, plastic bags etc.
Effects of inaction or policies which have been implemented
The various policies and regulations are implemented by the government in Britain for
dealing with the major problem, of plastic pollution in ocean. A special plan recognized as “A
Green future: our 25-year plan to improve environment” was formulated and implemented for
minimizing the level of plastic waste in the ocean. In addition to this legal authority in the
country has banned the production as well as sale of products made up of plastics such as cotton
buds, straws, bottles etc. Recommendation provided by Environmental audit committee is that
legal authority need to set timeline.
4 4. Worm, B., Lotze, H.K., Jubinville, I., Wilcox, C. and Jambeck, J., 2017. Plastic as a persistent marine
pollutant. Annual Review of Environment and Resources. 42.
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Implication of MARPOL policy is that it has assisted in reducing the input of sea based
plastic waste into ocean. This policy has proved to be beneficial in context of addressing the
issue at a scale that is currently unregulated. It has aided in minimizing the disposal of plastic
waste in the ocean.
The European Union has adopted the bloc wide strategy in January for dealing with the issue
of plastic waste pollution in marine environment. The purpose of this strategy is limit the use of
plastic bags. In addition to this, investment has been made by government in technology as well
as materials spaces. The objective of this tactics is to promote the development of recyclable
plastics. This policy has helped in encouraging the recycling process and minimizing the plastic
pollution in the ocean.
An effective policies or regulations formulated by the Britain government has forced
organizations to stop manufacturing of plastics products and they have been force to execute
recycling practices. This tactic has helped in minimizing the use of plastic and has helped in
reducing the pollution.
The government in Britain has taken initiative to restrict or limit the use of carry bag.
Legal authority in the nation has levied tax on the carry bag. The result of this tactics was 90
percent decrease in use of carry bags. When government has levied tax on carry bags, there was
sudden decline in use of such bags. It has been analyzed that approx. nine million bags being
used by people across the nation.
A government in Britain has planned to develop a panel of experts those who will help in
identifying the suitable measures for minimizing the waste by fifteen percent in 2015. In addition
to this, incentive schemes introduced by legal authority has contributed a lot in controlling the
manufacturing of plastic bags. This strategy has encouraged packaging producers to become
more responsible for type of the products they are producing or manufacturing. It has been
analyzed that 25-year plan has addressed that apparent imbalance 5.
There are few environmental groups in the Britain those who have stated that 25-year
plan “lacks urgency, detail 6.
55 Thompson, R., 2017. Environment: A journey on plastic seas. Nature. 547(7663). pp.278.
6 MacArthur, E., 2017. Beyond plastic waste.
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CONCLUSION
It has been concluded that marine waste pollution is very big issue which is required to be
addressed quickly. Study has concluded that plastic waste pollution has negative effect on the
health of marine species. It has successfully highlighted the initiatives taken by the government
for minimizing plastic pollution in marine. The other thing which has been concluded from the
assignment is that environmental group and other people in Britain perceives that government
has formulated some effective strategies but has failed to implement on time. It has been
concluded that various stakeholders such as local people and government has to work
collaboratively for dealing with such problem.
Some strategies have been suggested which can be used for dealing with the issue of
plastic pollution in the ocean.
RECOMMENDATIONS
As it has been identified that plastic pollution can have negative impact on the health of
marine species, biodiversity. The various stakeholders such as local people, government of
Britain is required to take collective initiative for controlling as well as reducing the plastic waste
pollution in the ocean. Initially, it is required by the government in the country to develop an
effective strategy, as this tactic will assist them in dealing with the problems. Some of the actions
which can be taken for minimizing the plastic pollution are:
Generating awareness: Private, public or government companies can organize camps or social
events for raising the awareness among people related to the harm caused by plastic pollution.
Private companies can collaborate with public enterprise or non-government organization for
raising awareness through a creative story telling.
Banning the use of plastics: Government by formulating as well as implementing specific
regulation can ban the use of plastics by people in the country. By taking such action legal
authority in the nation can encourage people to use alternative materials to plastic. Legal
authority in the nation is require to make investment in developing recycling infrastructure.
It is required by the government in the country to implement environmental policy for
monitoring as well as tracking the waste 7.
7 Strong, B., 2018. Plastic pollution and dentistry. Dental Nursing.14(9). pp.428-429.
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Managing waste and litter streams better: Stakeholders in the Britain need to develop waste
management system, as this strategy will assist in reducing the plastic pollution. Advance
technology can be used for recycling the waste.
Citizen focus activities-Such types of task includes cleaning the beach. This strategy is
considered to be as effective in context of education and waste removal perspective.
Economic incentives- monetary rewards system can be developing by government in the
country, as this will help in encouraging people to participate in the procedure of reducing the
plastic waste and inspiring them to recycle products.
Extending the carriage bag tax: Government can charge tax on carry bags. As this strategy will
assist in limiting the use of carry bag by people.
Launch of incentive or reward schemes- It is required by the government in the nation to
formulate and launch incentive or reward schemes. Legal authority in the nation can introduce
monetary rewards for the industries designing packaging that is easier to recycle, and raise
charges on packaging that is difficult to recycle.
Development of storm water capture devices- This can be strategy which can be used for
preventing the plastic or other waste to enter into ocean. But the major disadvantage of this
strategy is that it can be expensive to implement.
Reducing obstacles to financing – it is important in order to ensure better waste management.
In addition to above recommendations, it has been suggested that the legal authority in
the nation should provide adequate recycling facilities at sea ports, as this will help them in
inspiring fishers to bring waste materials. Local people in the country need to take responsibility
and they are required to limit the use of plastic. A special team of people can be created for
collecting the waste from nearby seas and oceans. This strategy will help in reducing the plastic
waste in the ocean. it will also assist in generation of employment for local people in the nation.
In addition to this Upgrading wastewater treatment plants with sand filters to catch micro plastic
fibers from synthetic clothes when they are washed can helps in minimizing the plastic waste
pollution from the ocean. Legal authority in the nation need to listen introduce a bottle deposit
scheme and enforce rules on sources of industrial waste 8.
8 Ten Brink, P., Schweitzer, J.P., Leslie, H. and Galgani, F., 2018. Circular economy measures to keep
plastics and their value in the economy, avoid waste and reduce marine litter. Economics Discussion
Papers. (2018-3).pp.1-15.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Borrelle, S.B., Rochman, C.M.,., Bradshaw, H. and Provencher, J.F., 2017. Opinion: why we
need an international agreement on marine plastic pollution. Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences. 114(38). pp.9994-9997.
Chow, C.F., Cheung, T.Y. and Yeung, S.K.D., 2017. Plastic Waste Problem and Education for
Plastic Waste Management. In Emerging Practices in Scholarship of Learning and
Teaching in a Digital Era (pp. 125-140). Springer, Singapore.
Dauvergne, P., 2018. The power of environmental norms: marine plastic pollution and the
politics of microbeads. Environmental Politics. 27(4). pp.579-597.
Lasut, M.T., Weber, M., Kaunang, S.T. and Lott, C., 2018. From Coral Triangle to Trash
Triangle—How the Hot spot of Global Marine Biodiversity Is Threatened by Plastic
Waste. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Microplastic Pollution in the
Mediterranean Sea (pp. 107-113). Springer, Cham.
MacArthur, E., 2017. Beyond plastic waste.
Pahl, S., Wyles, K.J. and Thompson, R.C., 2017. Channelling passion for the ocean towards
plastic pollution. Nature Human Behaviour, 1(10), p.697.
Strong, B., 2018. Plastic pollution and dentistry. Dental Nursing. 14(9). pp.428-429.
Ten Brink, P., Schweitzer, J.P., Leslie, H. and Galgani, F., 2018. Circular economy measures to
keep plastics and their value in the economy, avoid waste and reduce marine
litter. Economics Discussion Papers. (2018-3). pp.1-15.
Thompson, R., 2017. Environment: A journey on plastic seas. Nature, 547(7663), p.278.
Worm, B., Lotze, H.K., Jubinville, I., Wilcox, C. and Jambeck, J., 2017. Plastic as a persistent
marine pollutant. Annual Review of Environment and Resources. 42.
11

Online:
Fast Facts About Plastic Pollution, 2018. [Online]. Available through: <
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/05/plastics-facts-infographics-ocean-pollution/?
user.testname=photogallery:2>.
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