Invasion of Plastic Bottles into Iran's Marine Ecosystem

The first image of the beaches these days in many northern cities of Iran or along the Persian Gulf in the south may be a pile of disposable containers, plastic drink bottles, and plastic bags. Trash left by tourists on the beach or brought ashore by the sea. Some of these materials, which are also abundant in rivers and wetlands, are moved by the wind, blocking waterways and stagnating water, threatening the ecosystem and breeding of the region. According to Mohammad Reza Fatemi, a professor of marine environmental science at Islamic Azad University in Tehran, ultimately, it is humans who suffer the consequences: "Sustainable utilization is not just about preserving ecosystems and the environment. Human use and benefits are also included. From this perspective, humans gradually reduce the areas that can be exploited. Almost all of our vessels have these plastic water bottles or soft drink containers, or disposable food items that are thrown into the sea after consumption. We have 30,000 fishing and recreational vessels, and unfortunately, some do not comply and throw food waste into the sea. The second source of this waste comes from land. Plastics enter through rivers or runoff and occupy the environment. A prominent example is Anzali Wetland, which, during floods, receives millions of plastic containers through rivers and accumulates them there. The waste is so abundant that it covers the entrances and exits of some water bodies or canals. The lifespan of plastic in nature is hundreds of years. Plastic persists and, in return, makes the surrounding environment dangerous for living beings and humans. It damages fertile agricultural lands and enters the food chain of aquatic animals, remaining in the bodies of fish and then re-entering the human food chain. The use of disposable plastic containers, which leads to the disposal of plastic waste and its accumulation in nature and the environment, gradually threatens water and soil resources, seas, rivers, and the lives of animals and plants. Mohammad Reza Fatemi, a marine environmental researcher in Iran, speaks about the threats this mass of plastics poses to aquatic life: "These areas are home to many creatures like mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms, and some fish that live in these regions, causing their habitats to be covered with waste and garbage, limiting their activities. Another issue is the ingestion of plastic materials. Many creatures in the water are protected and endangered. It has been observed that sea turtles and dolphins have ingested these plastics. These materials enter the bodies of whales and even large fish. Fishing nets are also made of plastics, which may pose a greater danger than plastic waste for protected species. Creatures get trapped in fishing nets and suffocate, remaining in the trap for months. For example, dolphins, which breathe through lungs, need to come up for air. If they get caught in these nets, they are pulled down and suffocate after a few hours. ISNA reported that if every Iranian family uses at least three plastic bags for shopping daily, it can be said that 45 million plastic bags are used in the country annually. Not considering water bottles and various drink containers, cups, plates, and disposable packages, the degradation of this number of plastic bags could take centuries. Recently, the UK announced that eliminating free plastic bags in supermarkets and stores has played a significant role in reducing consumption, with an 80% decrease in less than six months. In many European countries, customers must pay for bags after shopping. This is a way to encourage customers to bring their own cloth bags for shopping. What should be done in Iran? What ways exist to reduce the amount and consumption of plastic bags and containers? Mohammad Reza Fatemi, a professor in marine environmental science, considers a return to local and traditional methods in various regions of the country a correct and logical way to cultivate a culture of consumption: "In many cases, the government only lays the groundwork, and society must implement the programs. What the government can do is impose taxes on plastic materials that turn into plastic bags. Because they cannot increase the price of all types of plastic, which have applications in other areas that do not create problems. Forcing sellers, shops, and those with business licenses to either not provide them to the public or sell them at high prices. Third, providing alternative solutions, using recyclable and cloth bags. However, that recyclable bag may be paper. This paper also comes from somewhere that was originally a tree. For a country like ours, using paper bags is very dangerous. It is better to make bags from palm fibers. Locals in southern Iran have been making baskets from reeds and palm fibers for thousands of years. Very large baskets that can hold five to ten kilograms. It used to be this way. We used to go shopping with baskets. Soft drinks must be returned to glass. Our country does not have resource problems. In the past, soft drinks were in glass bottles, and we had no issues. We would return the bottles for a fee. They should prohibit the use of these as much as possible. In the soft drink industry, alternative methods should be encouraged. That is, promoting traditional and local methods that are not contrary to environmental considerations. According to some studies, plastic materials and containers that are transported from the sea to various beaches and shores have become more resistant to sunlight due to climate change and can last for hundreds of years. They can entangle aquatic animals' limbs and necks and seabirds' beaks, endangering their habitats and posing significant health risks to humans. According to a global study, over 180 species of animals are struggling with these plastics suspended in the seas and oceans, from giant whales to fish and small birds.