Lagrangian tracking of long-lasting plastic tags: From lobster fisheries in the USA and Canada to Macaronesia

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 198; p. 115908
• Main Authors: Cividanes, Marcos, Aguiar-González, Borja, Gómez, May, Herrera, Alicia, Martínez, Ico, Pham, Christopher K, Pérez, Laura, Machín, Francisco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Marine plastic pollution; Macaronesia; Plastic tags; Lagrangian methods; Lobster fisheries; North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115908

Plastic waste from the fishing industry, particularly lobster trap identification tags from the USA and Canada, poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems due to its resilience. This study unveils a novel link between North American fisheries and the appearance of these plastic tags in Macaronesia. Collected in the Azores and Canary Islands, these tags offer a unique insight into the sources and spatio-temporal scales of marine plastic pollution. Ocean model data indicates the Labrador Current and Gulf Stream as key forces transporting these tags. Virtual particle simulations show a small fraction reaching Macaronesia (4.12 % in the Azores, 0.76 % in the Canary Islands), suggesting real ocean drift. The Azores, with more collected tags, are more susceptible, and tags can reach Macaronesia in under a year. These findings underscore the urgency of better waste management and emphasize the role of citizen science in monitoring and combating marine pollution.