Fibreglass from Abandoned Boats Contaminates UK Coastal Waters and Enters Food Chain – UK scientists warn that fibreglass from end-of-life vessels is contaminating the food chain. A joint study by the Universities of Brighton and Portsmouth reveals that fibreglass, or glass reinforced plastic (GRP), from old abandoned boats is breaking down and polluting Britain’s coastal waters.
High Levels of Fibreglass Found in Seafood
The study, highlighted by Marine Industry News, focused on Chichester Harbour in southern England. Researchers detected up to 11,220 fibreglass particles per kilogram in oysters and 2,740 particles per kilogram in mussels. This is the first recorded instance of fibreglass particles entering the marine food chain, a finding one researcher described as “disturbing.”
Implications for Local Seafood Consumers
“If you’re eating locally caught seafood, you’re also eating the local abandoned boats,”
said Luke Edney, manager of the Gosport-based marine salvage yard, Boatbreakers. This alarming statement underscores the urgency of addressing the issue of fibreglass pollution in marine environments.
Solutions to Combat Abandoned Boat Pollution
Edney stresses the importance of removing wrecks and abandoned boats to mitigate this contamination. British Marine suggests that implementing a national boat register could help reduce the problem by holding boat owners accountable for proper disposal.
Marine Industry News provides more insights on the issue HERE.
Challenges in Handling Fibreglass Hulls
The logistics of managing fibreglass hulls from abandoned or derelict vessels present significant challenges. Tom MacSweeney discussed these issues in a 2017 podcast for Afloat.ie, highlighting the complexities involved in the disposal and recycling of fibreglass materials.
Conclusion
The findings from this study call for immediate action to address the contamination of UK coastal waters by fibreglass from abandoned boats. Implementing better regulations and disposal practices is crucial to protecting marine life and human health.
Fibreglass from Abandoned Boats Contaminates UK Coastal Waters and Enters Food Chain
