Rubbish in sea does not come from afar

The Director of the Ocean Study Centre, Federico Alvarez, has rejected theories on the origin of the rubbish that has materialised this season on the beaches and coastlines of the Balearic Islands. He believes the rubbish is generated on the Islands themselves. Alvarez didn't discount the fact that there may have been the occasional item which originated on the mainland of Spain, North Africa or other Mediterranean countries, but it has to be taken into account that during the summer months, the power of sea currents is vastly diminished. This season, particularly, has been characterized by lack of wind. It is therefore even less likely that detritus has come drifting in from farther afield. The director explained that “the Balearic Islands are surrounded by swirling outer edges of the great ocean currents, coming from the Ligurian sea to the north and the Straits of Gibraltar to the south. These currents are constant even though there may be fluctuations depending on prevailing climatic conditions. Only wind and weather patterns stimulate the currents and from that point of view, it's been a very quiet summer. For a solution to the origin of the coastal rubbish, we have to look closer to home”. The director continued “there are as yet no studies that we do in fact do have more rubbish, but our own visual analysis suggests we do”.