Seabed litter distribution in the high seas of the Flemish Pass area (NW Atlantic)

espanolLa basura en los fondos marinos del area de Flemish Pass (Oceano Atlantico Noroeste) ha sido analizada y descrita utilizando datos de las campanas demersales de EU-Espana (periodo 2006-2017). Este estudio presenta informacion de referencia sobre la basura en los fondos marinos de esta area. Flemish Pass esta localizado en areas mas alla de las jurisdicciones nacionales dentro del Area Reguladora de la Organizacion para las Pesquerias del Atlantico Noroccidental Division 3L. Se han analizado un total de 1169 lances de arrastre de fondo validos (104-1478 m de profundidad). Se ha encontrado basura en el 8.3% de los lances con densidades medias de 1.4±0.2 items km–2 y 10.6±5.2 kg km–2. Se ha hallado un patron de aumento con la profundidad, identificandose densidades mayores de basura marina en las areas mas profundas ubicadas en el canal Flemish Pass y en el flanco noreste del Gran Banco. Se ha descubierto que la pesca es la principal fuente de basura marina, el 61.9% de los lances con presencia de basura mostraron desechos incluidos en la categoria de basura relacionada con la actividad pesquera. Mientras que en la mayoria de los casos la basura estaba compuesta por pequenos fragmentos de cabo, en otros casos estaba compuesta por aparejos como nasas. Posteriormente, los plasticos, el metal y otros desechos antropogenicos fueron las categorias mas abundantes, con 18.6%, 16.5% y 12.4%, respectivamente. EnglishSeabed litter of the Flemish Pass area (NW Atlantic Ocean) was analysed and described using data from the EU-Spain groundfish survey (2006-2017 period). This study presents baseline information on seabed litter in this area. The Flemish Pass is located in areas beyond national jurisdiction within the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization Regulatory Area Division 3L. A total of 1169 valid bottom trawl hauls were analysed (104-1478 m depth). Litter was found in 8.3% of the hauls, with mean densities of 1.4±0.2 items km–2 and 10.6±5.2 kg km–2. An increasing pattern with depth was found, the highest densities of seabed litter being identified in the deepest areas located in the Flemish Pass channel and down the northeastern flank of the Grand Bank. Fishing was found to be the main source of marine litter, and 61.9% of the hauls with litter presence showed litter included in the fisheries-related litter category. Whereas in most cases the litter was composed of small fragments of rope, in other cases it was composed of entire fishing gears such as traps. Plastics, metal and other anthropogenic litter were the next most abundant categories, accounting for 18.6%, 16.5% and 12.4% of the total, respectively.