photo Sea-Water Amplification (SWA) Piscinas naturais da Criação Velha, Madalena, Ilha do Pico, Azores 19. 2. 2024

Around 5-6 million lobster traps with plastic identification tags are released each year and have to be replaced each season. Data indicated from the models cite the Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream as the key forces transporting these fragments.

 photo Sea-Water Amplification (SWA) Piscinas naturais da Criação Velha, Madalena, Ilha do Pico, Azores 19. 2. 2024

Over the last few years, a significant number of plastic fragments (marks, doors, etc.) from lobster fishing from the US and Canada have been found on various beaches in the Macaronesia region, particularly in the Azores and the Canary Islands. These fragments offer a perfect case study for a better understanding of the ocean dynamic link between the north-east coast of the North American continent and the Macaronesia region.

photo Sea-Water Amplification (SWA) Piscinas naturais da Criação Velha, Madalena, Ilha do Pico, Azores 19. 2. 2024

You can read more here: Floating fragments