Long term monitoring of plastics

Project dates

Start: 1 October 2017

What the long term monitoring of plastics project does

This project monitors the impact of marine plastics and debris on seabirds in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic. Research is based at Bird Island Research Station.

Scientists have collected data on plastics and other human-related debris since the summer of 1992/93. Small but persistent amounts have been found in 12 species of seabirds. Items include fishing lines, squid jigs, floats, wrappers, bags, and bottle tops. Birds likely mistake these items for prey while foraging at sea.

Most debris is recorded in wandering and grey-headed albatrosses. These birds forage across vast areas of ocean. Some debris, such as hooks and fishing lines, likely comes from demersal longline vessels operating on the Patagonian Shelf. The exact countries responsible are not known.

Why this matters

Plastic pollution is a major threat to seabirds and marine mammals. Birds ingest or become entangled in debris, reducing health, reproduction, and survival.

Measuring the scale and types of debris helps design conservation strategies. This knowledge supports efforts to reduce human impacts on vulnerable wildlife.

How the project works

• Monitoring seabird nests for plastic and other debris
• Recording marine mammal entanglements
• Running year-round surveys of beached debris on Bird Island and Signy Island
• Collecting data on the types, sources, and abundance of plastics
• Removing entanglements to save affected wildlife

Marine mammal entanglements

Since the 1980s, Antarctic fur seals have been found entangled in packaging bands, synthetic lines, and fishing nets. The number of affected animals is small. However, entanglements have declined thanks to laws banning plastic disposal at sea and better waste management.

Researchers at South Georgia and the South Orkney Islands actively remove entanglements. These actions save animals that would otherwise die.

Beached marine debris

At Main Bay, Bird Island, debris has been monitored year-round since 1989. More than 9,000 items have been recovered. Ninety-four percent are plastic, including Styrofoam, fishing gear, and packaging.

At Signy Island, summer beach surveys began in 1996 at Foca Cove, Cummings Cove, and Starfish Cove. More than 1,800 items have been collected, mostly plastic packaging and fishing equipment.

Who is involved

The project is led by scientists at Bird Island Research Station and other BAS Antarctic and sub-Antarctic bases. It also works with international conservation and research organisations.

Research topics 

• Animal science
• Ecology & biodiversity