Introduction

Abstract

Of all the marine debris stories recorded over the years, none provides a more graphic demonstration of the kind of unexpected impact marine debris can have than the story of a British naval disaster in the 1982 Falklands War. It is reported that the Argentines were able to predict the location of the British frigate HMS Sheffield by correlating its trail of trash [dumped overboard at sea] with their knowledge of local ocean currents. The Argentines prediction was correct: On May 4, 1982, their Exocet missile found its mark, virtually destroying the ship, causing more than 40 casualties, and forcing a general revision of naval warfare tactics.