Project involves the Angeiras fishing community
More than 150 million tons of plastic pollutes the ocean. In 2025, there will be one ton of plastic for every three tons of fish, and in 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean. "It's a global problem," says Sandra Ramos, a researcher at the Interdisciplinary Center for Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR).
To counteract this situation, the Matosinhos City Hall, the Center for Environmental Monitoring and Interpretation (CMIA) and the CIIMAR have joined forces to prevent marine litter.
The work involves everyone, especially the first to suffer the impact of ocean pollution - the fishermen. Litter destroys fish, damages nets, and separating it means more time and more work for the fishermen. The economic impact of marine litter on the European fishing fleet is estimated to be 61.7 million euros.
Sandra Ramos moderated yesterday, at the headquarters of the Associação Mútua dos Armadores de Pesca de Angeiras (AMAPA), "a salty conversation", in the words of Manuela Álvares, councillor for the Environment and Energy Transition. Also present were the president of the union of parishes of Perafita, Lavra and Santa Cruz do Bispo, Lurdes Queirós, and the president of AMAPA, Fernando Correia.
80% of the garbage that exists in the ocean comes from the land, and the remaining 20% comes from the sea, mainly from the fishing sector. Besides the garbage produced by the activity (nets that get lost, oils and other materials), there is domestic waste on board that is thrown overboard, such as food scraps, cigarette butts, plastic bottles, glass containers, or cans. "The ocean is the biggest garbage bin and most of it, about 70%, is at the bottom of the sea," said the researcher.
Sandra Ramos explained the consequences of maritime waste (including the threat of microplastics), some of the European projects in this area that are still under discussion and heard some contributions. The first suggestions point to the need for proper containers for depositing garbage both on the boats and on land when they arrive, and a more frequent cleaning of the beach.
This awareness-raising action is part of a wider project that will develop in various phases. There will be thematic tables on the theme, beach cleaning and the drafting of a document with the contributions of the fishing community of Angeiras that will be delivered to the competent authorities.
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