Fishing Waste Harms Marine Wildlife and Poses Health Risks in Argentina’s Patagonia – Reuters

By Miguel Lo Bianco

VALDES PENINSULA, Argentina – The coast of Valdes Peninsula in Argentina’s Patagonia is currently overwhelmed by mountains of plastic waste originating from the fishing industry. This pollution poses significant threats to sea lions, fish, penguins, whales, and human health.

The UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site along Argentina’s Atlantic coast is littered with crates, nets, buoys, and various fishing equipment that have been discarded into the ocean and subsequently washed ashore.

"These plastics are composed of chemicals and pollutants that can lead to multiple diseases in both humans and marine life," said Diego Gonzalez, a biologist focused on the impact of industrial fishing waste.

Evidence gathered by journalists shows decomposing animal carcasses surrounded by heaps of plastic debris on the beach at Pico Sayago, while other creatures attempt to navigate through the trash.

Situated 1,000 kilometers south of Buenos Aires, the Valdes Peninsula is a leading tourist destination in Argentina. It is also a critical site for marine mammal conservation, hosting large populations of right whales, elephant seals, sea lions, and penguins.

Gonzalez, affiliated with the national scientific research organization CONICET, expressed concerns regarding the long-term effects as the plastics degrade over time.

"Due to ocean currents, sunlight, or the mere passage of time, these plastics can break down into microplastics," he explained.

These microplastics can be ingested by marine organisms and, eventually, make their way into the human food chain.

A study conducted in 2020 by Pew Charitable Trusts and SYSTEMIQ warned that the volume of plastic waste entering oceans and affecting marine life could potentially triple within the next two decades if decisive actions are not taken by governments and companies to prevent dumping.