Publications by Korea Marine Litter Institute

Publications by Korea Marine Litter Institute

August 2, 2014
By Dr. Yong Chang Jang
yongchangjang@hotmail.com

Since its establishment, researchers at Korea Marine Litter Institute in OSEAN have been publishing lots of journal papers and reports as we believed that the value of knowledge, as a commons, increases as more people use it. We published both Korean and English, regarding the readers, and here is the list of publications in English only. More publications in Korean language can be seen in its Korean website, www.osean.net.


2011

○ 장용창, 김영호, 차인환, 이보경. 2011. 봉암갯벌의 조류상. 한국조류학회지, 18(4): 317-323.

2012

○ 이종명, 장용창, 홍선욱*, 최현우. 2012. 우이도 사구 해안의 외국기인 해양쓰레기 특성. 해양환경안전학회지 18(2): 167-174.

2013

○ Hong, Sunwook, Lee, Jongmyoung*, Jang, Yong Chang, Kim, Young Jun, Kim, Hee Jong, Han, Donguk., Hong, Sang Hee, Kang, Daeseok., Shim, Won Joon, 2013. Impacts of marine debris on wild animals in the coastal area of Korea, Marine Pollution Bulletin 66: 117-124.

○ 장용창. 2013. 해양쓰레기 정책결정의 합리성에 관한 연구. 경남대학교 행정학과 박사학위 논문, pp.237

○ Jang, Yong-chang, Su-yeon Hong, Young-ho Kim, Bo-kyoung Lee. 2013. The Birds of Changpo Bay, Gyeongnam Province, Korea. Korean Journal of Ornithology, 20(1): 1-12.

○ 홍선욱, 이종명*, 장용창, 강대석, 심원준, 이종수. 2013. 호놀룰루 전략과 우리나라 해양쓰레기 관리를 위한 시사점. 한국해양환경에너지학회 16(2): 143-150.

○ Heo, Nak Won, Hong, Sang Hee, Han, Gi Myung, Hong, Sunwook, Lee, Jongmyoung, Song, Young Kyung, Jang, Mi, Shim, Won Joon*, 2013. Distribution of small plastic debris in cross-section and high strandline on Heungnam Beach, South Korea. Ocean Science Journal 48(2): 225-233.

○ Hong, Sunwook. 2013. Assessment of marine debris pollution and emergy evaluation of management measures in Korea. Ph. D. Dissertation of Graduate School, Pukyong National University. pp 155.

○ 이종명. 2013. 해변 플라스틱 쓰레기의 크기 그룹간 관계를 이용한 미세 플라스틱 오염 평가. 부경대학교 대학원 생태공학과 박사학위논문. pp. 188.

○ 장용창, 이종명*, 홍선욱, 심원준, 강대석. 2013. 스티로폼 부자 해양쓰레기 대응 정책 개발과 우선순위 평가. 한국해양환경에너지학회 16(3): 171-180.

○ Lee, Jongmyoung, Hong, Sunwook, Song, Young Kyung, Hong, Sang Hee, Jang, Yong Chang, Jang, Mi, Heo, Nak Won, Han, Gi Myung, Lee, Mi Jeong, Kang, Daeseok, Shim, Won Joon*. Relationships among the abundances of plastic debris in different size classes on beaches in South Korea. Marine Pollution Bulletin 77: 349–354.

○ Hong, Sang Hee,Shim Won Joon*, Han, Gi Myung, Ha, Sung Yong, Jang, Mi, Manviri, Rani, Hong, Sunwook, Yeo, Gwang Yeong, Levels and profiles of persistent organic pollutants in resident and migratory birds from an
urbanized coastal region of South Korea. Science of the Total Environment 470–471:1463–1470.

○ Jang, Y.C. and Song, B. J. (2013). A Critical Analysis of the Rationality of South Korea’s Marine Debris Policy, International Journal of Policy Studies 4(2): 83-105.

2014

○ Jang, Y.C., Hong, S.*, Lee, J., Lee, M., Shim, W.J., (in press) Estimation of lost tourism revenue in Geoje Island from the 2011 marine debris pollution event in South Korea, Marine Pollution Bulletin

○ Hong, S., Lee, J., Kang, D., Choi, H. W., & Ko, S. H. (2014). Quantities, composition, and sources of beach debris in Korea from the results of nationwide monitoring. Marine pollution bulletin.

○ Jang, Y. C., Lee, J., Hong, S., Mok, J. Y., Kim, K. S., Lee, Y. J., ... & Lee, S. (2014). Estimation of the annual flow and stock of marine debris in South Korea for management purposes. Marine pollution bulletin.

○ Jang, Y. C., Lee, J., Hong, S., Lee, J. S., Shim, W. J., & Song, Y. K. (2014). Sources of plastic marine debris on beaches of Korea: More from the ocean than the land. Ocean Science Journal, 49(2), 151-162.

Researchers at Korea Marine Litter Institute in OSEAN

Researchers at Korea Marine Litter Institute in OSEAN

August 2, 2014
By Dr. Yong Chang Jang
yongchangjang@hotmail.com


Korea Marine Litter Institute is the same as OSEAN (Our Sea of East Asia Network, Inc.). It is a non-profit, non-governmental organizations. About 130 members contribute about 10 USD every month to support the activities. And we do some research project financially supported by various private and governmental agencies.

Six researchers are working for this Institute as full-time and part-time workers. Here I will briefly introduce the researchers.

Dr. Sunwook (Sunny) Hong

Dr. Sunwook Hong is the Representative of OSEAN. She studied Marine Science at a university and for her master degree and Ecological Engineering for the Ph.D. degree at the Bukyoung National University. She is the Korean country coordinator of International Coastal Cleanup.

Dr. Jongmyoung Lee

Dr. Jongmyoung Lee is the chief scientist of the Korea Marine Litter Institute. He studies Public Policy at a university and for his master degree and Ecological Engineering for the Ph.D. degree at the Bukyoung National University. He worked for a local office of Friends of the Earth Korea and Korea Marine Rescue Association before establishing the OSEAN. He also has a professional diver's license.

Dr. Yong Chang Jang

Dr. Yong Chang Jang studied Economics at a university, Integrated Coastal Management for his master degree, and Public Policy for the Ph.D. degree at Gyeongnam University. He worked as a certified public accountant for accounting firms and as a project manager at a wetland management foundation before joining this Institute.

Msc. Jongsu Lee

Msc. Jongsu Lee studied Geology at a university and the Environment Studies for the master degree at Seoul National University. She researched Persistent Organic Pollutants in marine environment before joining this Institute.

Ms. Mijeong Lee

Ms. Mijeong Lee studied Fish Disease at Bukyoung National University.

Dr. Su Yeon Hong

Dr. Su Yeong Hong studied the Environmental Chemistry at a university and for the master degree and Environmental Engineering for the Ph.D. degree at Gyeongnam University. She also studied the Development Studies at East Anglia University. She worked as a project manager at GEF Korea Wetland Project and an environmental education foundation before joining this Institute.

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.

Taiwan’s 2010 Report of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC)

Taiwan’s 2010 Report of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 

2010 International Coastal Cleanup in Taiwan had engaged 2,561 participants from 37 organizations.  They completed 30 locations around the island. This was the year that Taiwan engaged the largest numbers of volunteers for ICC.  The collected data had sent to The Ocean Conservancy for her annual report, which was issued in March this year.

 

 

  ICC is one of the major ocean protection actions around the globe.  In 2010, there were 610,000 volunteers from 114 countries to participate in this activity.  In addition to remove the litter, data was collected for education purposes.  By doing so, the public would increase the awareness and change daily habits to protect the ocean.

 

From the data collected, 30 cleanup activities during September and October of 2010, the

major trash of Taiwan coast is from “Shoreline & Recreational Activities.”  30,304 items were collected, accounting for 70 % of the total litter.  It indicates that 70 % of debris was created by people’s activities along the shoreline.  Or the trash was washed to the sewage systems then to the ocean by rain or wind because of failing to well manage the trash in the cities.  Beverage bottles, disposable food containers, plastic bags, wrappers from various kinds of materials are all belong to this category.

 

 

Next is the debris from “Ocean/waterway Activities,” with 8,022 items and accounting for 18.7 %.  Those included fishery equipments, nets, and buoys.  Number three litter of the chart is from “Smoking-related Activities,” including cigarette filters and tobacco packaging.  Final categories are “Dumping Activities” and “Medical/personal Hygiene,” accounting for 2.5% and 0.3%.

Then what is the most commonly found trash along Taiwan coast?  Plastic bags, not surprisingly.  We collected 8,295 plastic bags along 12.68 kilometers coastline, which means we found one bag within 1.5 meters in average.  Think about how many plastic bags we use in one single day, according the research:

 

The global usage of plastic bag is 1.2 trillions per year; in average one person uses 300 bags per year.  More than 1 million of bags are used in one minute around the globe; the average use time for one single bag is 12 minutes.

 

Those disposable plastic bags seem convenient and cheap, but we forget the invisible pollution costs after throwing them away.

 

The second largest litter is glass bottles, accounting for 7,236.  Those sharp glass pieces could easily hurt the beachgoers.  Number three are the buoys for fishery, made of plastic and Styrofoam, and the total numbers of them are 6,054.  Those top three items account for 50% of the total litter, showing the management importance of them.

 

Although lots of people make endeavors for ocean protection, the ocean pollution and harm by man-made litter are unimaginable.  Marine litter is not from one single source, and not accumulated within a short period of time.  ICC alone won’t solve the problem.  Since the source is from human, change would only become possible by human’s reflection and awareness.  So The Ocean Conservancy provides several suggestions to reduce the possibilities to pollute the ocean:
- Properly manage the litter you create.  By doing so, the possibility of trash entering the ocean by wind or water will be decreased.
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
- Avoid buying things overly wrapped, in order not to create more litter.
- Cut the six-pack holders, so it won’t hurt the animals even they are falling into the ocean.
- Join coastal cleanup.
- Share the information of marine litter with your friends.
- Sponsor related plans and activities

● Taiwan’s 2010 Top Ten Items of International Coastal Cleanup
1. Plastic Bags                        8,285 (19.06%)
2. Beverage Bottles (Glass)      7,236 (16.65%)
3. Buoys/Floats                       6,054 (13.93%)
4. Caps, Lids                          4,283   (9.86%)
5. Beverage Bottles (Plastic)     3,190   (7.34%)
6. Cigarette Filters                    2,679   (6.16%)
7. Toys                                   1,584   (3.64%)
8. Straws, Stirrers                    1,566   (3.60%)
9. Clothing, Shoes                   1,140   (2.62%)
10. Food Wrappers/Containers  1,123   (2.58%)

 

Taiwan Ocean Cleanup Alliance (TOCA)
97057,No.87,Fuyang Rd., Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan
URL    :http:// www.icctaiwan.org.tw
E-mail : kuroshio@seed.net.tw
TEL　  : +886-3-857-8148
FAX　  : +886-3-857-8948

TOCA is a cooperative group of five Taiwan non-profit organizations that have devoted to solve the marine litter over a long-term basis, including Kuroshio Ocean Education Foundation, National Museum of Marine Science & Technology, Tainan Community University, Taiwan Environmental Information Association, and the Society of Wilderness.  TOCA arouses the public awareness by education, appeal, and research.  Its aim is to unite everyone’s effort to protect the ocean and start a sea change by making better policies, involving industries, and adjusting personal daily habits.

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