[ CITATION Eva18 \l 17417 ][ CITATION Eva18 \l 17417 ]
CHAPTER 3.0: MITIGATION MEASURES
3.1 Use fewer plastics product
Although plastic debris is one of the most widespread forms of marine pollution, it is
also among the most soluble of all pollution problems that affect the world’s oceans.
Notwithstanding, the extent and impact of plastic debris in the marine environment is often
underestimated, and therefore the prevention, reduction, and control of plastic debris require
much more attention, both from governments and from manufacturers. Because of the nature
of the plastic debris problem, a wide variety of approaches and strategies is needed to
produce a significantly cleaner and safer marine environment.
Another way to prevent the input of persistent plastics into the marine environment is
to introduce biodegradable plastics. Biodegradable plastics are made of renewable sources,
and consist of polymers that are capable of undergoing decomposition into carbon dioxide,
water, methane, inorganic compounds, or biomass. Biodegradation of these polymers is
achieved by the use of microorganisms that have the ability to catabolize these polymers into
less environmentally harmful material. he residue of degraded polymers is often used as plant
fertilizer and these plants can serve as a new source for manufacturing biodegradable
polymers. Recently, progress has been made in developing biodegradable plastics that
possess characteristics similar to those of oil-based polymers. Biodegradable plastics, or
bioplastics, often have inferior performance compared to traditional plastics because they
eventually become permeable to water. Therefore, bioplastic materials are used as disposable
items, such as packaging material. The biodegradable polymers that are used are of diverse
types. Bioplastics that are based on polylactic acid (PLA) and Plastarch material (PSM) are
two of the most commonly used ones in current commercial practice. LA is made from
starch-rich substances like maize, wheat, or sugar. The bioplastic made from PLA is
biodegradable and can, under ideal composting conditions, degrade in less than 60 days. SM
is a thermoplastic polymer composed of starch, from corn, that is combined with other
biodegradable materials. PSM is one of the few plastics that can withstand high temperatures
(up to 125°C). Apart from the fact that it is biodegradable, the material has similar
characteristics to those of polyethylene. After serving its useful life, PSM can be incinerated
to produce both a nontoxic smoke and a residue that can be used as a plant fertilizer.
There a set of actions at international level and recommendations that would
significantly reduce plastic pollution in urban, coastal and marine environments. Endorse a
legally binding international agreement to eliminate plastic discharge into the oceans, with
binding national reduction targets, a monitoring and evaluation framework and a financial
mechanism supporting implementation. Implement a zero vision for plastic leakage into the
environment at the national, local and industry level, in line with the United Nations
Environment Assembly resolution on marine litter; map and eliminate points of potential
plastic leakage in the entire value chain. Ensure that all ghost fishing gear is retrieved and
appropriately disposed of. Research and funding are needed to detect ghost fishing gear and
dispose of it in adequate port facilities. Producers of fishing gear containing plastics would
cover the costs of retrieval and financial incentives would be available to deliver used and
ghost fishing gear to port facilities. Adopt international trade regulations for plastic waste that
define recycling criteria for exporters of plastic waste. Establish producer responsibility
schemes for all plastic products on the market, including the development of deposit schemes
where relevant.
Ban the use of single-use plastic bags and the addition of microplastics to products.
All countries should develop a roadmap to reduce plastic waste, including new bans on
specific items such as plastic bags and other single use items for which alternatives are
available as well as incentives (e.g. tax exemptions) to reduce waste production. Bans on
primary microplastics in consumer goods (detergents, cosmetics) and technical products
should also be introduced as well as for all non-degradable plastic products which are
deliberately released into the environment and cannot be recovered. Achieve 100% waste
collection through efficient recycling and integrated waste management plans. An integrated
waste management system needs to be put in place that includes effective waste sorting (e.g.
organic, paper, metal, and plastics). Investments need to be made to encourage more systemic
and sustainable approaches to waste management and infrastructure that allow higher
performances for plastic waste management and recycling. [ CITATION Eva18 \l 17417 ]
3.2 Don’t purchase items that exploit marine life.
Avoid purchasing souvenirs that exploit marine wildlife. Certain products contribute
to the harming of fragile coral reefs and marine populations. Avoid purchasing items such as
coral jewellery, tortoiseshell hair accessories and shark products. Consider also that trade in
products such as coral may involve destruction of habitat and threaten ecosystems. These
products are natural resources and their removal is harmful to wilderness areas. Both animals
and the environment will benefit if travellers refuse to purchase such items. Figure 3.1 shows
the shells are packaged by the kilogram and sold to craftsmen as raw material for souvenirs
and other handicraft products.
Figure 3.1 Shells to be cleaned, dried and shined.
Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2018/07/wildlife-watch-seashells-
illegal-trade-handicrafts/
There is a growing trend in fashionable restaurants: exotic fare. Lions, monkeys,
turtles, sharks, frogs and snakes are only a few of the species that may appear on global
menus. In some cases, restaurants are offering species on the brink of extinction because of
overhunting or overfishing. Even if they aren’t rare, their capture may have damaged habitat.
And in many cases, individual animals have suffered in captivity prior to being killed for
food. Avoid frequenting establishments that advertise and serve these dishes and be sure to
let these restaurants know why you have chosen not to patronize them. Every year, tens of
millions of sharks are hunted to meet the demand for shark fin soup, a cruel and wasteful
“luxury” dish.
After their fins are removed, the animals are thrown back into the water to die slowly
and painfully. Finning is not only inhumane; it allows sharks to be caught in unsustainable
numbers. Curbing the demand is the best way to stop finning. Do not purchase or consume
products made with shark fins. Avoid purchasing all shark products and fish products where
there is no information stating the sustainability of operations. Companies should provide
easily accessible information regarding compliance with ensuring sustainable fish stocks,
using sustainable methods of fishing that reduce the trapping of other animals and the areas in
which they operate.
Educate clients to be informed consumers. Provide information to clients about the
sensitive nature of coral reef ecosystems, including which species in a given region should
not be consumed as seafood or purchased as souvenirs because they are rare, threatened or
endangered. Support ecologically sustainable fisheries practices. If someone serve seafood
cuisine, do not choose fish that are threatened or endangered. Instead, support suppliers that
harvest non-threatened or endangered fish and other species in an ecologically sustainable
manner. Provide tourists with this information, in order to promote sustainable fisheries.
Observe the law. Abide by all regional, national and international laws regarding the
harvesting of marine species. [ CITATION Amy11 \l 17417 ]
3.3 Make Safe, Sustainable Seafood Choices.
To prevent further damage to the aquatic ecosystems that support our fisheries, we all
need to ensure the fish we buy comes from sustainable companies who do not deplete fish
stocks or damage the environment. Certification of seafood can help support marine
conservation and raise the profile of companies committed to sustainable aquaculture and
fisheries.
For a population to stay healthy, fishermen must make sure that they don’t subtract
fish faster than the population can add more young fish; otherwise the population will get
smaller and smaller until there are no fish left! Some fish grow very fast and have many
young, so fishermen can catch many. Fish falling into this category are usually small ones
which eat plankton and are low on the food chain, like sardines and anchovies. Some fish
grow very slowly and don’t have as many young or don’t have them very often, which can
make a fishery less sustainable, so fishermen have to be very careful not to take too many.
Fishing methods that produce less by-catch include hook and line fisheries shown in
figure 3.2, where only a limited number of hooks are used unlike longlining fisheries; traps,
which animals can get into but not out of; and harpoons, where fishermen can spear one big
fish at a time. When fishermen use special techniques or fishing gear that is more selective,
they can help to make sure they only catch what they want to keep. If a fisherman keeps
everything, he catches then nothing goes to waste and the fishery is considered to be much
more sustainable.
Figure
3.2 Fishermen using hook and line to catch fishes
Source: https://sierraclub.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/SeaChoiceKit_K-6.pdf
When buying pre-packaged seafood, it’s important to always read the label. This
helps you to learn more about the seafood you’re about to buy and find out if it’s sustainable.
Always ask if it is farmed or wild, how it was caught, and where it comes from, because these
are the most important questions to help you decide if the fish, you’re eating is sustainable. If
the person you ask doesn’t know, ask if they can check with the manager or head chef. Even
if nobody knows the answers, asking them shows that you care and gives them a reason to
find out for next time. [ CITATION Nat11 \l 17417 ]
Not all seafood is created equal. Many popular seafood items are fished or farmed in
environmentally destructive ways. Because these practices vary by species and location,
knowing this information makes a big difference and can guide your decisions when it comes
to ordering fish. By using your purchasing power to buy fish caught of farmed using eco-
friendly practices, you are supporting healthy, abundant choices. Seafood can be Eco-Best,
Eco-Ok or Eco-Worst depending on where it came from and how it was caught or farmed.
These guide helps you make the best environmental choices for the oceans. [ CITATION sea13 \l
17417 ]
3.4 Help take care of the beach.
Whether you enjoy diving, surfing, or relaxing on the beach, always clean up after
yourself. Explore and appreciate the ocean without interfering with wildlife or removing
rocks and coral. Go even further by encouraging others to respect the marine environment or
by participating in local beach clean-ups.
If rubbish ends up in a stream or river it will very likely end up in the ocean. Sediment
pollution can happen when soil enters waterways that flow to the sea. It is natural for some
sediment to enter the ocean, but when there is a lot it becomes a problem. Sediment pollution
can be increased by human activities such as earthworks near streams or when plants near
streams have been removed. Taking care of streams and rivers can include picking up
rubbish or planting trees near the stream which is called riparian planting. Plants on the banks
of streams help to hold stream and river beds together, making them stronger which stops soil
from being washed away. Getting together with a group to take care of a stream is fun.
Provide some plants, help in understanding on how to take care of a stream and even showing
on how to test the stream’s health.
One-way rubbish makes it into our oceans is through stormwater drains. These drains
collect and remove the rainwater from our streets. Unfortunately, anything collected by the
rainwater as it travels across the road and down the gutters like cigarette butts, oil from cars
and other bits of rubbish also goes into the stormwater drains. The drains then transport this
mix of rainwater and rubbish to our streams and rivers. These streams and rivers flow out to
our oceans and this is where the rubbish can end up. Less rubbish on the street means less can
be washed down stormwater drains.
If reducing the amount of rubbish that were made on land it is likely there will be
less in the ocean. Rubbish can be reduced by recycling paper, glass, cans and some
plastics. We could also compost food scraps and find ways to reuse some of the rubbish.
Many people and organisations are helping to reduce the amount of rubbish humans create.
For instance, through recycling and using recycled materials when making products and
reducing packaging. [ CITATION New19 \l 17417 ]
Be sure to recycle any plastics you use at home or bring to the beach as shown in
figure 3.3. Always double check your packaging and the bin you are disposing it in to make
sure you found the right match. Along with recycling disposable packaging, switch to an eco-
friendlier option. Try reusable glass, wood, or metal instead. Also, try biodegradable plastics
to decrease the amount of leftover packaging littering the shores. If you do decide to bring
food to the beach, make sure it’s for you, and only you. Don’t disrupt the diets of the animals,
such as birds or fishes, that are sharing the shore and sea with you. Get political. Call or write
your local congressman about important issues facing your ocean community. Be the voice
for the marine life that can’t speak up for themselves. [ CITATION Sar15 \l 17417 ]
Figure
3.3 Woman collecting plastic bottle at beach
Source: https://www.crushpixel.com/stock-photo/woman-collecting-plastic-bottles-on-
880956.html
3.5 Travel the Ocean Responsibly
Practice responsible boating, kayaking, and other recreational activities on the water.
Never throw anything overboard, and be aware of marine life in the waters around you. If
you’re set on taking a cruise for your next vacation, do some research to find the most eco-
friendly option.
Do not feeding the fish because it can change their behaviour directly. This is very
dangerous to the fish themselves. They might not be scared of humans, making it easier for
people to improperly interact with them (e.g. catching them). In a big picture, marine life
relations in the ecosystem can also get worse. Fish may start relying more on humans and
stop finding food themselves. They may die from lacking necessary nutrients. In addition to
that, food given by humans are not from coral reef areas. Some fish can eat while some can't.
This results in some groups of fish that can consume tourist’s food becoming more dominant
over groups that can't. As a result, fish that aren't used to tourists food have to change homes
and the ecosystem is forever changed.
Do not step on coral reefs are living things that require a lot of time to grow. Now,
some may not realise this, but a gentle touch and the reefs can die. And stepping on them is a
big no, as it only damages the reefs, but its sharp edges can also hurt us as well.
Avoid littering or trashing in island or sea. Trashing in the sea causes a lot of
problems. Seabirds can mistake trash for fish (i.e. food). And eating trash is lethal to them,
disrupts the food chain and negatively affects the marine ecosystem. Meanwhile, the toxins
from trash are directly exposed to the sea, which affects us in return. So, it's like throwing a
banana peel on the ground and slipping on it afterwards; hurting ourselves in the end.
Don’t try to touch any living things in the sea. Let them live, let them be. Touching
them can cause harm to both marine life and us humans. How can you be sure the cute fish is
not hazardous to human? And, how can you be sure we are not harmful to them? It's best not
to disturb the marine life. Just take a look and enjoy. [ CITATION Nad17 \l 17417 ]
3.6 Mind Your Carbon Footprint and Reduce Energy Consumption
Reduce the effects of climate change on the ocean by leaving the car at home when
you can and being conscious of your energy use at home and work. A few things you can do
to get started today. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, take the stairs, and bundle up
or use a fan to avoid oversetting your thermostat.
Get information about climate change. Keep abreast of the climate change and its
effects on oceans and biological diversity. New research findings on what is happening in the
planet are available every day. Seek information about new trends and technologies that will
allow you to minimize the impact of your activities on the environment.
Adopt bioclimatic architectural solutions as shown in figure 3.4. A bioclimatic
architectural design can help decrease heat impact, air conditioning reliance, and electric
power demand. Avoid direct sunlight penetration by using eaves, perimetral corridors, roofed
balconies, and parasols. Choose construction materials according to their heat absorption,
reflection, and conservation capacity. Steel absorbs a lot of heat and glass has little ability to
absorb it, but a high capacity for conserving it, sometimes creating a greenhouse effect.
Fi
g ur
e
3.4 Bioclimatic design architectural
Source: https://issuu.com/petroslapithis/docs/bioclimatic_architecture_and_cyprus
Start an energy-saving campaign. Since electricity is generated from fossil fuels in
many countries, efficient energy use is required to minimize our business impact on global
warming and resulting climate change. Adopt measures to decrease energy consumption.
Make the best of natural light. Use indoor patios, skylights, and windows to illuminate the
building indoors during the day. Turn off the lights you are not using. Instil in your customers
and employees the habit of turning the lights off when not in use.
Fans are the climatization devices with the lowest energy consumption. Clean their
vanes periodically and do not leave them on unnecessarily. Thermal insulation can save you
up to 50% of the power used in heating or air conditioning. Fill up and seal all cracks, change
broken glass panes and seal any holes where air can leak through. Air conditioning
equipment is accountable for some of the highest energy consumption. A reduction in
climatization consumption, however, should not affect service quality. Ask your guests to
keep their room doors and windows closed while the air conditioning unit is on, and to turn it
off when leaving the room. Find the comfort zone, which is 22°C-27°C. Set the temperature
at 25°C to avoid sacrificing user comfort. A 1ºC variation entails a 6% difference in power
consumption. [ CITATION int18 \l 17417 ]
3.7 Support Organizations Working to Protect the Ocean
Many institutes and organizations are fighting to protect ocean habitats and marine
wildlife. Find a national organization and consider giving financial support or volunteering
for hands-on work or advocacy. If you live near the coast, join up with a local branch or
group and get involved in projects close to home.
The role of women has long been over-looked, on how recognition of women’s
involvement in fisheries and other marine resource use can rapidly lead to improved
management practices. Furthermore, given their fundamental positions in the community they
can be an important conduit for introducing the concepts of integrated coastal management
and sustainable development in a way that is meaningful to their communities.
As on land, children and youth can provide the impetus for conservation through a
range of activities and projects, in collaboration with their teachers, schools and the wider
community. They present very different approaches to promoting awareness of marine issues,
from bottom up and top down. In Guam, children have acted as a catalyst for a more general
concern about the future of coral reefs, while in Malaysia a coalition of educators,
government departments and an NGO has provided teaching materials on the marine
environment that can reach pupils throughout the country.
NGOs can play many roles in the sustainable management of marine resources,
having greater flexibility than other groups and often acting as a link between local
communities and government bodies, the academic community or industry. Two examples,
from Turkey and Belize, illustrate what is now virtually a global phenomenon, and show the
role that NGOs can play in facilitating and initiating new approaches to the protection and
management of marine resources.
In many parts of the world local authorities, and thus the local people that they
represent, have had little say in the decisions made about their environment and their
livelihoods. Local government can, however, play an important role in ensuring that local
communities are properly represented and fully involved in decisions that affect them. The
two case studies presented, from Estonia and the Philippines, are examples of how local
authorities are becoming more involved in Integrated Coastal Zone Management Planning. In
both countries’ devolution of power to local authorities has produced both opportunities and
challenges. The gradual reduction in central government control is a worldwide phenomenon
that has implications for many marine areas.
Business and industry have vital roles to play. When the fishing industry joins forces
with other sectors of society to provide incentives for sustainable fisheries. The tourism
industry is also increasingly recognising its role in supporting both the management of
marine parks (in many areas these are prime attractions for tourists) and in safeguarding
threatened marine species. [ CITATION Sue97 \l 17417 ]
