By Anne Kalosh.
Concerned about marine plastic pollution? As a small ship lover, you’re probably more aware than most of the environment and the need to protect it.
But did you know an astonishing eight million plus tons of plastics enter the oceans every year? That is according to the United Nations Environment Program. Plastic bags, straws, water and soda bottles, cutlery, cup and bottle lids—a whole tsunami of plastic trash. At this rate, the UN warns that by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the sea. 😱
Why is marine plastic so harmful? The UN Environment program estimates about 90 percent of sea birds have ingested plastic. One study found that almost 670 marine species have already ingested or been entangled by plastic. The fact that fish eat plastic, typically minuscule pieces that can absorb whatever toxins are in the water, means humans at the top of the food chain are likely ingesting these toxins, too.
But it’s not all bleak. The good news is that you as a small ship traveler can now be part of the solution since a growing number of expedition cruise lines and associations are declaring war on single-use plastics.
The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), which represents most lines in the Arctic tourism trade, gained backing from the UN and funding to fight the plastic scourge.
The UN’s Clean Seas Campaign
AECO is joining the UN Environment Program’s Clean Seas campaign, launched in February 2017 to turn the tide on plastics. The project addresses the root cause of marine litter by targeting the production of non-recoverable and single-use plastic.
AECO will work to drastically cut back single-use plastics on Arctic expedition cruise vessels and enhance passenger and crew involvement in regular beach cleanups. The association has just hired an environmental agent to focus on these efforts.
Environmental Agent Hired
Sarah Auffret, who has a background as a G Adventures expedition leader on cruises in Svalbard, East Greenland and the Antarctic Peninsula and as base leader of Port Lockroy, was chosen for the job. Her extensive experience in polar tourism will come in handy as she leads the work to collect, systematize and share best practices to help reduce plastics consumption on expedition ships.
AECO members have been involved in beach cleanings for nearly two decades, and this led to recent funding of 2.43 million Norwegian kroner ($308,000), including 1.8 m kroner from the Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund and 634,000 kroner from the Norwegian Environmental Directorate.
The funding will help AECO step up environmental efforts, and it made possible the hiring of the environmental agent.
AECO is also working with the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) on the Clean Seas project since many of the planned measures can be applied to expedition cruise ships in Antarctica as well.
“Clean oceans is an issue that our members are extremely passionate about. For years, the Arctic expedition cruise industry has involved thousands of passengers in volunteering to pick up garbage when they go on landings. As part of this new project, we will examine the whole value chain to reduce the risk of plastic finding its way to into our oceans in the first place,” AECO executive director Frigg Jørgensen said.
“Our members would like to be part of the solution, and that involves finding alternatives to disposable plastic products on their ships,” added Jørgensen.
Jørgensen said the key is to change attitudes. “We want to show people that there are good alternatives to things like plastic straws and plastic packaging. It’s not too late to tackle the issue of plastic marine debris, but we have to act now,” she urged.
Hurtigruten Bans unnecessary single-use plastic
Hurtigruten is doing just that. The operator of Norwegian coastal voyages and expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica has become one of the first major companies to ban all unnecessary single-use plastic.
By July 2, items like plastic straws, drink mixers, plastic glasses, coffee lids and plastic bags will be removed from all Hurtigruten ships. The goal is to become the world’s first plastic-free shipping company.
“At Hurtigruten, we have focused on the problem of plastic pollution for years,” CEO Daniel Skjeldam said. “There is a lot of talk about the impact plastic has on our oceans. But it’s time to take action. By getting rid of single-use plastic on board all ships already by this summer, we will hopefully get others to follow. It is possible to act now, and the oceans cannot wait.”
Plastic straws will be replaced by metal straws, and stir pins will no longer be used. The same for plastic cups, plastic cutlery, plastic bags, plastic lids on coffee cups, plastic toothpicks, plastic aprons, single-use packaging of butter and all other single-use plastic items that Hurtigruten’s 400,000 passengers and 2,500 employees encounter on a day-to-day basis.
“Every year, Hurtigruten guests and employees clean tons of plastic from beaches in the areas we operate. We witness the plastic pollution problem on a daily basis, and need to take action,” Skjeldam said. “Operating in pristine areas as we do comes with a responsibility.”
In addition to the internal plastic ban, Hurtigruten is challenging its suppliers to reduce their use of plastic.
“Plastic pollution is the single biggest threat to our oceans,” Skjeldam said. “Hurtigruten operates in some of the most vulnerable areas in the world. This means that we carry a special responsibility to protect these areas for the local population and future generations of explorers.”
That’s a rallying cry small ship fans can get behind.
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