Long term monitoring of plastics

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. 

Young Fur Seal entangled in plastic debris

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. 

Plastic debris on Main Bay beach at Bird Island

Who is involved 

The project is led by scientists at Bird Island Research Station and other BAS Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations.

It also works with international conservation and research organisations. 

This long-term monitoring study aims:

• To quantify annual variation in the amount of plastic and other discarded items associated with seabirds and seals
• To measure the volume and type of plastic and other man-made debris on beaches in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic
• To estimate the amount of plastic, fishing gear and other material ingested by seabirds and, where possible, identify their sources (particularly fishing hooks)
• To provide an index of the level of compliance with international policy prohibiting the deliberate dumping of plastics and fishing gear by vessels

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1. Bird Island Research Station

   The Bird Island Research Station focuses on the long-term study of seabirds and seals in one of the world’s richest wildlife sites.

   Read more of: Bird Island Research Station

   

2. Signy Research Station

   Signy serves as Britain’s window into Antarctic life. This small but vital facility allows biologists to study processes too complex to observe elsewhere.

   Read more of: Signy Research Station

   

3. King Edward Point Research Station

   King Edward Point Research Station on South Georgia is a centre for marine and fisheries research.

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4. Aurora Innovation Centre

   The Aurora Innovation Centre offers a space and support services for interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle environmental challenges and increase real-world benefit of polar research.

   Read more of: Aurora Innovation Centre