Plásticos del Pacífico:
Ciencia a Soluciones

Our mission

los Pacific Plastics: Science to Solutions project brings together an international partnership, whose mission is to reduce plastic leakage in the Eastern Pacific region to conserve our oceans, protect marine wildlife and support people whose livelihoods depend on the health of this unique ecosystem. To do this, we support the development of a circular economic system for plastics through science, collaboration and citizen participation.

Oceans cover more than 70% of our planet. They are home to millions of species and are essential for human survival.
However they are in great danger! Plastic waste leaking into the oceans is a systematic failure, threatening marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and livelihoods globally.
The Eastern Pacific, an area of great ecological and economic importance, is under significant threat.
It is estimated that 45% of all plastic used along the Pacific coastline of Central and South America is inadequately managed, generating approximately a million tonnes of leaked plastic waste per year. It is likely that plastic waste has increased in 2020/2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This figure is set to double by 2025 if no action is taken.
Fish, seabirds and marine mammals can become entangled by or ingest plastics, causing death by suffocation, starvation or drowning.
Similarly, biodiversity loss threaten the fishing and tourism industries which underpin economies and support local livelihoods.
Remote islands are especially sensitive to marine plastic.
This is the case in Galapagos, which is under intense threat due to a combination of endangered endemic species and the high pollution load entering the Marine Reserve. The amount of plastics entering Galapagos is not reflective of local usage causing problems with the retrieval and disposal of plastic waste.
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Galapagos sea lion © Tracy Jennings; Waste picker in Manta’s Dump, Ecuador © Mario Hidalgo; Seabird floating on plastic, Peru © Clara Ortiz Alvarez; Flightless cormorant, Andrea © Pasara Polack.

What are we doing to tackle this massive challenge?

Reducing the scale of plastic leaking into the  Eastern Pacific Ocean requires a systematic approach, addressing the cycle of plastic production, consumption and waste. With grants from the UK Research and Innovation’s Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) and the private sector, a network of world-class scientists will try to make this vision a reality. Led by the University of Exeter and in collaboration with NGO & Governmental agencies from across Ecuador, Chile, Peru, The Netherlands and the UK, the network will undertake cutting edge science, engage global citizens and support local grass roots initiatives to find and implement solutions to this problem.

Highlights from the PPSS network so far

Investigación de microplásticos

Fideicomiso de Conservación de la Universidad de Exeter y Galápagos

La investigación de Galápagos Microplastic explora la presencia, la composición y los impulsores ambientales de la contaminación plástica en el ecosistema marino a escala insular, identificando las especies de vertebrados más vulnerables en las Islas Galápagos de Ecuador y las posibles fuentes de desechos plásticos que ingresan al archipiélago.

Galápagos sin plástico

Fondo de Conservación de Galápagos y Universidad de Utrecht

Este proyecto busca desarrollar una tecnología predictiva que enfocará los esfuerzos de limpieza y eliminará de manera eficiente la contaminación plástica antes de que afecte la vida silvestre y los hábitats sensibles. La combinación de datos oceánicos y el uso de un herramienta de seguimiento de partículas, el proyecto explorará las fuentes de contaminación plástica que ingresan a Galápagos.

Lecciones de COVID-19 del Sur Global

Universidad Católica del Norte

En respuesta a la pandemia de COVID-19, el equipo de protección personal (PPE, por sus siglas en inglés) se ha utilizado ampliamente y se ha observado el desecho de equipos de protección personal en muchos entornos diferentes, incluso en las playas turísticas. Esta investigación examinó la distribución y las densidades de las mascarillas en algunas de las principales playas turísticas de Chile, y monitoreamos sus tasas de acumulación diaria en una playa del centro-norte de Chile.

Responsible Marine Life Manipulation

ProDelphinus

El canal de YouTube de ProDelphinus busca brindar herramientas y conocimientos al público en general para comprender cómo liberar correctamente la vida marina enredada en redes de pesca o contaminación plástica y devolverla al mar protegiendo el bienestar de los animales. 

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