FEATURE: The Great Plastic Vortex

It's called the Plastic Vortex of the Northern Pacific and it's where a lot of the non-biodegradable rubbish from everyday life ends up. Researchers estimate the vortex is twice the size of the US state of Texas and four times the size of Japan.

Campbell Cooney

Last Updated: Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:59:00 +1000

For many years its existence was unknown and when it was first discovered in 2000, marine researchers were shocked.

Ten years on, scientists still know little about the man-made problem.

But over the past two years a group of marine scientists and activists have been measuring the scale of the vortex, and looking for ways to control it.

They call themselves Project Kaisei and one of its coordinators is Doug Woodring, who's based in Hong Kong.

Mr Woodring says the dump is made of mainly non-biodegradable plastics and synthetics including fishing nets.

"We did find what they call 'ghost nets' which are derelict fishing nets and those cause damage not only to the shipping industry, but they continue to kill marine life as they float around."

He says what worries the group most is the impact the plastic dump is having on marine life.

"When a [sperm] whale in California washed up six months ago, they opened its stomach, it had 400 kilos of plastic and netting inside."

Mr Woodring says the extent of damage caused by the vortex is still unknown.

"There's some evidence that the plastic is raining down [on the ocean floor] and we have no way to know what might be on the bottom," he said.

"Of all the debris that goes to into the ocean, roughly 70 per cent sinks and the impact is potentially great on marine life."

Doug Woodring says the Plastic Vortex is an international problem that all nations should take responsibility for.

But he says he's impressed with some of the current conservation measure being conducted in Australia.

"It's so ocean centric here. So many people live around the coast and appreciate the ocean," he said.

"You've done great work."

Project Kaisei is now working to raise awareness about the problem and is working with companies to reduce the impact of plastics.

"Companies now are starting to listen, so we're having some good dialogue with big leading multi-nationals and that's who we need at the table."

"We need to be working with everyone so we all can collaborate, there's no one silver bullet," he said.

The scientists intend to return to the Vortex for another study later this year.

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