Plastic marine debris as nesting materials of endangered species, Black-faced Spoonbills

Plastic marine debris as nesting materials of endangered species, Black-faced Spoonbills

Yong Chang Jang (Ph.D.)
Researcher at Korea Marine Litter Institute
yongchangjang@hotmail.com
http://koreamarinelitter.blogspot.kr

On July 29 and 30, 2014, we surveyed plastic marine debris used as nesting materials at two breeding sites of Black-faced Spoonbills in South Korea. (To avoid disturbing the breeding, we waited until the end of July, when the breeding is finished.) 

In 2011, we got a report and a picture from Mr. Namjun Jee, showing a case of a young spoonbill entangled with fishing ropes. So, we decided to survey how many spoonbills nests have plastic marine debris.

By this survey, we have found that 100% of Black-faced Spoonbills' nest have plastic marine debris at Maedo Island, near Incheon Harbor, Korea. Most of the debris are fishing ropes and food packaging materials. And we removed all the plastic marine debris out of the nests one by one with our own hands. 

Conservation efforts are needed to protect this lovely bird, whose home is Korea.

<Fig 1. A young Black-faced Spoonbill entangled with fishing rope, found in 2011 (c) Namjun Jee>

<Fig 2. Mado Island near Incheon Harbor, Korea, a  breeding site of Black-faced Spoonbill>

<Fig 4. Fishing rope and food packaging materials are used as nesting materials of spoonbills>

<Fig 5. Fishing rope and food packaging materials are used as nesting materials>

We really appreciate Dr. Ki Sup Lee at Waterbird Network Korea (http://cafe.daum.net/WNKorea) for leading this project.

Microplastic marine debris as a tool of ocean science education

Microplastic marine debris as a tool of ocean science education

July 28, 2014
Yong Chang Jang (Ph.D.)
Researcher at Korea Marine Litter Institute
yongchangjang@hotmail.com
http://koreamarinelitter.blogspot.kr


On July 28, 2014, at National Institute of Ecology (www.nie.re.kr), I taught 50 students (13-15 ages) about microplastic marine debris pollution. The students listened to my lecture of 30 minutes, surveyed the microplastic marine debris composition and abundance at a nearby beach, analyzed the result, gave presentations on the survey results, and discussed on how to solve the problem.

The students awareness and attitude on how to solve the marine debris problems changed significantly. Before the program, they thought marine debris problems can be solved by cleanups and individual moral behavior is enough, but after the programs, they agreed that prevention is essential and so government policy to change the individual behavior is important. 

This program is a good example in some meanings. (1) Microplastic marine debris is a good issue to educate ocean science. As the survey method is easy to understand, the students survey the pollution abundance by themselves. (2) Practising scientific survey is a good chance to learn something. Because lots of (about 10,000 pieces of plastic per square meter) plastic debris was surveyed, the students easily understood that marine debris problem cannot be solved by cleanups. (3) Marine debris is a good method of citizen science. As the method is simple, the students came to believe that they can do the science by themselves.

<Fig 1. Collecting microplastic marine debris samples from a beach>

 <Fig 2. Sorting and counting the microplactic marine debris samples>

<Fig 3. Professional assistance is important for education>

I participated in this program of 6 hours as the lecturer. I appreciate the host organizations: (1) Dong-A ST Co. (2) Eco Horizon Institute, (3) Cheil Worldwide Inc., (4) National Institute of Ecology, and (5) Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea Museum.

The 10th anniversary of ICC Korea

The 10th anniversary of ICC Korea

 

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) in Korea. ICC takes place on the third Saturday of September every year all over the world. Korea began to participate in the ICC in 2001. Volunteers remove marine debris while recording them on ICC data cards, accumulating invaluable information for the management of marine debris in Korea. ICC also provides good education opportunitiesfor general public to recognize the problems with marine debris and to actively participate in reducing debris

 

History of ICC Korea

 

 

The number of campaign sites and participants, weight of marine debris collected, and length of coasts cleaned have all increased from 2001 to 2009. The number of ICC campaign sites increased from 24 in 2001 to 61 in 2009. More than 6,000 people participated in ICC Korea. The total weight of marine debris collected was over 900 ton from about 319 km of the Korean coast.

Marine debris in Korea comes mostly from shoreline and recreational activities, but its share has decreased from 2001 to 2009. The fraction of smoking-related debris in the total marine debris is increasing. Ocean/waterway activities accounted for 20~35 % of the debris collected on the Korean coast, which is 3~5 times higher than the world average. Six out of top ten marine debris identified from 2001 to 2009 are ocean and waterway related items: cigarettes/cigarette filters, caps and lids, beverage cans, plastic beverage bottles, glass beverage bottles, and food wrappers/containers. This indicates that ocean and waterway activities should be given the top priority in order to reduce marine debris significantly.

 The 10th anniversary of ICC Korea

 

Tenth anniversary of ICC Korea was held on September 16th, 2010, at the Masan Regional Maritime Affairs and Port Offices. This anniversary aimed at reviewing the outcomes of ICC Korea for the last 10 years, and appreciating the efforts of participants. OSEAN, Community Advisory Council of Masan Bay, Changwon Water Life Civil Community, Masan Regional Maritime Affairs and Port Offices, Department of Environmental Engineering at Kyungnam University, and Environment Pollution Institute of Kyungnam University co-organized the anniversary.

The Masan Bay area is famous for cooperative activities to protect the bay by local governments, civil groups, universities, and enterprises. That's why the ceremony was held in the city of Masan. In particular, the Masan ICC has been crucial in inspiring various local stakeholders to participate in the restoration of the ecology of Masan Bay. More than 200 participants, including volunteers, navies, students, enterprises, and governmental officials, attended the10th anniversary ceremony. 

 

 

 

In the 10th anniversary ceremony of ICC Korea, Masan KFEM (Korea Federation for Environmental Movement) received a plaque of appreciation from the Korea 10th ICC Steering Committee for its contribution to marine debris campaigns in Korea. The Environmental Engineering Department of Kyungnam University, a volunteer group of Catholic Women Institute, and Samsung Techwin Corporation received an award from the Masan Regional Maritime Affairs and Port Office for their efforts to improve ecosystem health of the Masan Bay. The winners of photo and UCC contest, "Clean SEA,” organized by KOEM (Korea Marine Environment Management Cooperation) also received their awards in the ceremony. Cleanup campaigns for four sites,including coasts and underwater sites, around the Masan bay were also organized as a part of the 10th anniversary program.

 

NOWPAP ICC Workshop

The 2010 NOWPAP ICC campaign and workshop on marine litter was held in October 1~2 in Jeju Island in order to celebrate the 10th anniversary of ICC Korea. Ms. HONG Sunwook of OSEAN, the ICC Country coordinator, presented the results of the Korean national marine debris monitoring program in 2008 and those from 9-year activities of ICC Korea. After the workshop, local citizens and governmental officials, volunteers, and international delegates from Russia, Japan, China, YSLME, PEMSEA, and COBSEA cleaned the coast of Jeju Island together.

 

 

 

Fishing hook, most dangerous debris to marine lives in Korea

Fishing hook, most dangerous debris to marine lives in Korea

Every year 100,000 marine mammals and one million marine birds are estimated to die from entanglement or ingestion of marine debris.  However, there is little research or evidence on this in Korea and most people do not aware of this impact of debris on marine lives.

 

Our Sea of East Asia Network (OSEAN) has collected cases of marine animals affected by debris in Korea since March 2010.  As of the end of September, twenty-nine cases were collected with the help of NGO activists, bird-watching photographers, wildlife medical or rescue centers, and others.  All the cases have been categorized based on species affected, debris items, types of damage, date and area from photos and records provided by the participants (Figures and Table).

At least 17 species of birds, mammals, and invertebrates were affected by marine debris.  Birds have been the most frequently affected animals (14 species and 24 cases), including Black-Tailed Gull, Great Egret, Temminck’s Cormorant, and Mallard.

Derelict fishing nets and traps, hooks and lines, and lead fishing weights were mostly responsible for animal injuries and deaths.  Fishing hooks caused the most damages, accounting for 17 cases, specifically threatening birds. Three bird species were natural monuments designated by the Korean government.  Black-tailed gulls seem to be vulnerable to fishing hooks with the diameter of about 10mm (10 out of 11 cases).  One whooper swan rescued by a citizen was diagnosed with lead poisoning by a wildlife veterinarian.

The cases we have collected are only a very small set of examples on the impact of marine debris on animals in Korea. With anglers estimated up to 5 million, we expect there are many more such cases. Many anglers overuse monofilament fishing lines, small fishing hooks, and lead weights.  Forty percent of the anglers enjoy fishing at sea or in coastal areas. ‘Law on Management and Promotion of Recreational Fishery’ is now under enactment and is expected to encourage changes in anglers’ attitudes toward clean water and protection of resources.  This survey will continue and provide important information to be used in campaigns and education on marine debris.

 

We really acknowlege KY Yeo of Pusan Wildlife Medical Center (Nakdong River Estuary Ecocenter), DO Han of PGA Wetland Ecosystem Institute, JS Choi, a Bird watching photographer, YJ Kim of Chungnam Wild Animal Rescue Center,  HJ Kim of Korea National Park, Korea Bird Protection Society, HJ Yook, a vet, SM Hwang of Gangwhado Citizens Network, and MS Hwang, other researchers and NGO activists for providing useful information and allowing to use precious photos. ⓒ OSEAN

 

Fig. 1a. A black-tailed gull showing both entanglement and ingestion due to fishing hook (Source: KY Yeo)

 

Fig. 1b. Most common debris item, fishing hook for recreational purpose with about 10mm in diameter (Removed from an entangled gull above) (Source: KY Yeo)

 

Fig. 2. A whooper swan flying with bent neck due to fishing line (Source: JS Choi)

 

Fig. 3. A finless porpoise having scars around the neck  due to entanglement by rope (Source: DO Han)

 

Fig. 4. A Temminck's commorant with the leg entangled by monofilament fishing line (Source: YJ Kim)

 

Fig. 5. A mallard entangled within a trap originally placed for crabs or benthic animals (Source: JS Choi)

 

 

Fig. 6. A finless porpoise stranded on a coast pricked by fishing hook (larger than recreational one) (Source: HJ Kim)

 

Fig. 7a. A dead whooper swan. The cause of death was diagnosed as lead poisoning by a vet (Source: YJ Kim) 

 

Fig. 7b. Metal items found in the stomach of a dead whooper swan (above). The gray orval object in the center is a lead fishing weight which Korean anglers very commonly use. (Source: YJ Kim)

 

Cases of animal damage due to marine debris: 29 cases and 17 species of bird, mammal and crestacean