Cleanup efforts intensify as marine debris wash ashore in Norway

Old and new debris are washing ashore in Norway, creating a monumental cleanup effort described by the team at Mausund Field Station as an endless project. Odd Arne Arnesen, the project leader, explained that they ideally require 25 workers to manage the task but are currently down to just six.

The field station focuses on removing marine litter from the island regions in southern Trøndelag, covering the coastline from Osen to the Møre border. This continuous endeavor involves systematically working through coastal areas, only to return the following year to find new garbage has accumulated.

Despite the station’s effective team, they still yearn for additional volunteers. “We clean one island and then return to the same spots every other year, which can appear untouched each time due to new waste.” The pollution level varies significantly from one island to another, making it a never-ending job.

Four years ago, the station lost support from the Norwegian Environment Agency and has since relied solely on the trading industry’s environmental fund, which will also disappear after next year. This situation poses a precarious future for cleanup efforts.

Arnesen expressed frustration, stating he has spent almost all his time seeking funding, but political support has been lacking. He noted that the Environment Agency receives numerous requests—62 this year, amounting to 80 million NOK—while only having 30 million NOK available.

Currently, the cleanup continues at Mausund Field Station. Arnesen reported that 70-80% of the debris found along the coast comes from abroad, a trend influenced by the North Atlantic current. On average, the team collects between five to six cubic meters of waste daily.