Global warming is not the only threat to the world. Mediterrenian and everything that lives in it, including man. Another set of effects mainly derived from pollution man-made continues to degrade Mare Nostrum relentlessly. Therefore, it is extremely urgent that all countries of the basin cooperate to implement effective policies at local and regional level and to successfully reverse the environmental problems in this marine area.
This is evidenced by a report submitted to the European Parliament by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) by oceanographer Patrizia Ziveri. The document highlights the urgent need to tackle the increasing pollution caused by marine litter and plastics in the Mediterranean. improve existing legislation and keep track of new types of pollutants that require urgent regulation.
The Mediterranean Sea is one of the marine areas supporting the greatest human pressure in the world.. High population and urbanization rates (150 million people on its shores), industrial activities, tourism (accumulating a third of the world’s volume) and fishing have caused a rapid increase in pollution. This, together with the geomorphological configuration of a semi-enclosed basin and distinctive ocean circulation, has made this sea one of the most polluted places on the planet and a natural trap for marine debris, primarily plastic, according to the report.
Tourism is the largest producer of plastic garbage on beaches
Between 80 and 90 percent of the marine litter in the basin is plastic and 230,000 tons of land-based plastic ends up in the seas every year. HE Tourism is the main contributor to beach litter. (up to 60%), followed by fishing and aquaculture (5-10%). Only 10 types of garbage on the Mediterranean coast make up 66.4% of the goods, 9 of which are made entirely or partially of plastic and 7 of them are made of disposable plastic. Cigarette butts and filters are the most common (27.3%).
In the report of BTK-UAB titled ‘Measures taken by cities and regions in the Mediterranean region to combat marine pollution’, it is stated that the main reason for this situation is as follows: massive waste generation and mismanagement. Other causes include dumping of industrial and urban waste, sewage, agricultural runoff, shipping, fishing and shipping traffic, as well as tourism.
To deal with pollution Management policies should be implemented to reduce and treat pollution from waste, tourism, plastics and other pollutants, wastewater and other waste from rivers.”, explains Patrizia Ziveri, an oceanographer at ICTA-UAB. It is necessary to reorient the production model, consumption patterns and waste disposal practices.
More effective regulation is needed
In this context, “The fight against pollution in the Mediterranean is not only supported by EU countries, but also by implementation of the regulations by all Mediterranean countries through effective cooperation”, he confirms. Execution and results of activities to combat marine pollution should be monitored at different stages. He adds that best practices in different Mediterranean regions need to be highlighted, shared and implemented.
The scientists emphasize that significant progress has been made in terms of treatment and prevention, including compliance with the single-use plastics directive and promoting recycling. However, further and ongoing efforts are needed. The study examines the implementation of the EU single-use plastics directive in France, Spain, Italy and Greece and provides a strategy to reduce them involving market restrictionsbetter waste management and agreements between consumers and producers.
“Efforts to reduce plastic use must continue to meet environmental targets. There is an urgent need to focus on EU strategic objectives for key sectors such as consumption patterns, production and waste management,” says Michael Grelaud, oceanographer and partner at UAB. – author of the report.
“There are already some actions to limit marine pollution (fishing, aquaculture, shipping, mining) but they often face difficulties in doing so because, often it all boils down to voluntary cooperation of states”, says Jorge Pato, who is also a co-author of the report.
Seven ‘plagues’ polluting the Mediterranean
Other measures and challenges listed in the study include:
- emerging pollutants.. It refers to new pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, UV filters, flame retardants or pesticides that reach the sea through agricultural, urban and industrial runoff or coastal wastewater treatment.
- microplastics. The study reveals that there is still no regulation to curb the growing microplastic problem. “Contamination by microplastics should be identified as a priority issue on the Mediterranean agenda that can lead to binding agreements.” Therefore, they aim to set bans and reduction targets in the production of fabrics and cosmetics by monitoring the ingress of microplastics into the sea in all waterways, including rivers and wastewater channels. They also add that strict regulations need to be made on ship paint and antifouling paints, which are a source of plastic pollution.
- marine noise pollution. Marine transportation, oil and gas exploration, the construction and maintenance of offshore structures, and military activities are a dangerous source of noise pollution that affects marine fauna and causes changes in their behavior, interruption of their communications, hearing damage, stress and even death. It recommends creating particularly sensitive marine areas where noise levels are restricted (with special attention to migration routes, nurseries and biodiversity ‘hotspots’), quieter ship models are used and cruise speeds are reduced.
- Rivers, wastewater treatment and ports. The challenge in managing water pollution lies in the implementation of policies by signatory countries. This is particularly evident given the different levels of economic development among Mediterranean countries. The study advocates the cyclical reuse of treated wastewater for agriculture to reduce fertilizer costs and enable the recovery of organic wastewater from urban areas as a valuable agricultural resource.
- Aquaculture. It is a polluting activity by dumping untreated waste, using chemicals, and releasing excess nutrients. This harms aquatic life, encourages harmful algal blooms, and poisons fish and other marine life with antibiotics and heavy metals, so these excess nutrients need to be regulated in aquaculture. The authors of the report point out that EU policies towards Mediterranean countries should implement voluntary guidelines for the disposal of abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear and encourage the recovery of marine waste through compensation.
- Initiatives for waste characterization and monitoring in coastal cities. Examples of this are the use of smart bins that alert waste management teams when they are full; awareness campaigns for beach users; Tracking debris and garbage on the main trade routes of the Mediterranean or creating sustainable alternative packaging for those that cannot be banned.
- Mediterranean islands. In these places, it is advocated that the tourist mass should be limited to the most sensitive areas and measures should be taken to ensure that tourists respect the environment. An example is charging a small fee to encourage environmentally friendly and non-polluting visits with a limited number of tourists. Raising awareness of tourists about pollution caused by plastic, depletion of water and other resources are other suggestions.
Full report: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2023/733123/IPOL_STU(2023)733123_EN.pdf
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