Greenland Joins Arctic-Wide Effort to Monitor Marine Plastic
On November 28, 2025, Greenland launched two specialized 'Plastic in a Bottle' capsules into the marine environment to track the movement of plastic pollution in the Arctic. This initiative is a key component of a larger project spearheaded by the Arctic Council's Working Group on the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME), aiming to shed light on how marine litter travels through the region.
The launch marks Greenland's direct contribution to understanding the pervasive issue of plastic contamination in its pristine Arctic waters. The GPS-equipped capsules are designed to simulate the drift of marine litter, providing crucial data on ocean currents and the pathways of plastic debris.
The 'Plastic in a Bottle' Project: Goals and Mechanics
The 'Plastic in a Bottle' project, which commenced in 2019, utilizes specially designed capsules fitted with GPS transmitters. These devices send daily signals, allowing researchers and the public to track their journeys in real-time via an online map. When a capsule eventually washes ashore, a message inside instructs the finder on how to report its location, contributing to the data collection.
The primary objective of this ongoing project is to:
- Simulate the long-distance travel of marine litter and plastics.
- Gain a better understanding of Arctic marine plastic pollution.
- Raise public awareness about the issue of plastics in the ocean.
Details of the Greenlandic Launch
The two latest capsules were launched off the coast of Greenland from two Royal Greenland trawlers, named Avatoq and Kaassassuk. One capsule was deployed in the northern part of Baffin Bay, while the other was released in the southern part of the same bay.
Community engagement was a significant aspect of the launch. Children from a local primary school in Nuuk, alongside students from the local high school in Sisimiut, participated by writing greeting messages on the capsules before they embarked on their journey.
The organization of the Greenlandic capsule launches was a collaborative effort involving the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, Aarhus University, the Government of Greenland, and the NGO Oceans North Kalaallit Nunaat. Royal Greenland also played a crucial role, financing one of the capsules.
Addressing Arctic Marine Litter
Kenneth Høegh, Chair of the Arctic Council Senior Arctic Officials, emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating, 'Marine litter, including microplastics, is an important focus area for the Kingdom of Denmark's Arctic Council Chairship.' He added, 'Plastic does not belong in the ocean, and this project shines a light on the problem.'
The data collected from these capsules will contribute to a broader understanding of how plastic pollution impacts the Arctic marine environment, informing future strategies for mitigation and prevention. The project underscores the commitment of Arctic nations to address environmental challenges in one of the world's most vulnerable ecosystems.
5 Comments
Noir Black
Tracking plastic isn't *removing* plastic. What's the real solution?
KittyKat
Understanding ocean currents and pollution pathways is valuable scientific work. Yet, without simultaneous efforts to curb industrial plastic waste, these capsules are merely tracing an ever-growing problem.
BuggaBoom
Seems like a lot of effort for just data, not direct cleanup or prevention.
Loubianka
This won't change anything if we keep producing plastic at current rates.
Donatello
Raising awareness about Arctic plastic is important, but the scale of the problem suggests that monitoring alone won't be enough. Stronger regulations on plastic production are urgently needed.