After more than 40 hours of navigation in the company of dolphins, tuna and manta rays, in Malpelo the Arctic Sunrise, the emblematic Greenpeace ship, arrived at the fauna and flora sanctuary of Malpelo Island, in the Colombian Pacific. However, what they expected to find as a natural paradise was overshadowed by the alarming presence of seven types of plastics and illegal fishing activities.
Accompanied by scientists, engineers and photographers, environmentalists documented the presence of a multitude of plastic waste, from bottles and bags to diapers and fishing debris, floating in ocean currents. In addition, they detected illegal fishing boats operating in areas designated as protection areas.
Tatiana Céspedes, Greenpeace campaign coordinator in Colombia, expressed her astonishment at this situation: “We were 500 kilometers from the shore and it is incredible that in a place as remote as Malpelo Island we found this waste that could have been disposed of better from the home”.
One of the most worrying findings was the discovery of microplastics in the sanctuary’s waters. Using a ‘Manta Net’, activists were able to identify these tiny plastic fragments, which pose a threat to marine life, including turtles, sharks and whales.
«In the world there are millions of types of plastics, but they are classified into seven most important. The analysis showed us that these seven types were floating in Colombian waters, affecting turtles, sharks and whales,” Céspedes said.
The expedition, which included the participation of approximately 30 crew members of 14 different nationalities, highlights the urgency of addressing the problem of plastic pollution and illegal fishing in the oceans. In addition, it marks the first time that the Arctic Sunrise carries out a mission in Colombia, with the aim of drawing attention to the protection of the Colombian Pacific and promoting the ratification of the Global Ocean Treaty.
Sofía Gómez, the Colombian freediver who accompanied the expedition, shared her impressions: «No one imagines what happens in our ocean. I feel that, since almost everyone lives in the interior of the country, they believe that the sea is very far away and if they don’t see it they don’t take care of it, but in reality caring for the sea starts from home.
The expedition was carried out in collaboration with members of National Natural Parks and the Malpelo Foundation, who also took samples for detailed analysis. «We must act, for governments to commit and for citizens to understand that these results are the product of bad practices with plastic. We must take urgent actions to guarantee the health and sustainability of the oceans,” Céspedes concluded.
2024-04-10 19:16:56