Fishing plastic waste: Knowns and known unknowns

Abstract

Plastics entering the marine environment primarily originate from land-based sources, prompting significant attention on single-use plastic packaging. However, fishing plastic waste also contributes substantially to marine plastic pollution, though it is often overlooked in the literature due to the challenges in pinpointing pollution sources. This study addresses this key knowledge gap by synthesizing existing literature to explore and document the knowns and known unknowns surrounding fishing plastic waste's environmental, health, and socio-economic impacts. Through the development of a causal loop diagram, the study offers a preliminary understanding of the issue, serving as a foundation for a deeper exploration of the complexities within the fishing industry's plastic waste dynamics. Finally, the study highlights that short-sighted views and approaches are likely to lead to systemic failures. Therefore, it advocates for strategic and meaningful measures to tackle marine plastic pollution, emphasizing the critical importance of a holistic and integrated understanding of the various plastic waste streams infiltrating and polluting our oceans. • Efforts tackling marine pollution focus on land-based single-use plastic waste. • Fishing gear makes up 50–100 % of plastic debris found in parts of the ocean. • High likelihood of underestimating the true amount of fishing plastic waste. • Socio-economic and health impacts to coastal communities are underexplored. • A systems-based approach is needed to devise meaningful and sustainable solutions.

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