Great Pacific Garbage Patch growing
A growing ‘‘vortex of trash’’ in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean is the largest it’s ever been, according to those who have been there.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a rubbish and plasticfilled vortex that is more than twice as large as the United States state of Texas.
Algalita South Pacific director Raquelle De Vine has returned from weeks at sea and said her feelings of helplessness and ‘‘total despair’’ worsen every time she goes back. ‘‘It was alarmingly, significantly worse than what we’ve previously experienced.’’
De Vine travelled to the North Pacific Sub-tropical Gyre from July 14 to August 4.
For five days, she sailed through relentless waste without the concentration letting up, she said. ‘‘For hundreds of miles in the central accumulation zone, there was no relief.
‘‘Typically, the plastic comes in waves and gives you a sense that the ocean eco-system has some relief from the plague.
‘‘However, this time you could not watch the ocean and not have visible pieces of plastic floating past the boat for five full days.’’
Both of the boat’s propellers were obstructed, despite having specific cages to protect them from entanglement.
The gyre was a popular feeding place for birds, and plastic was causing blockages in their digestion and eventual starvation, she said. Plastic was filling the space that the ecosystem needed, she said.
Comparison data collected on the voyage showed the pollution was getting worse.
‘‘We need our leadership to take a more proactive approach, rather than waiting until it is too late to react,’’ De Vine said. ‘‘If we fail to act now, we will be forced to adapt to a different ocean.’’
As well as the Government, it was up to every single person to make change, she said.
A large amount of rubbish was commercial fishing debris like buoys, nets and ropes.
The voyage, led by the Algalita Marine Research and Education organisation, was the eleventh to the gyre.
De Vine said the Fox River Landfill disaster, which required months of clean up, was a clear example of leaders waiting until it was too late before acting.
However, it was positive to see the Government’s recent announcement for mandatory product stewardship schemes, which could make manufacturers responsible for their own waste.