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Ryan PG. Illegal dumping from ships is responsible for most drink bottle litter even far from shipping lanes. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 197:115751. [PMID: 37976589 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies using bottles as tracers have shown that illegal dumping from ships is responsible for the rapid increase in drink bottles washing up on oceanic islands and at remote continental beaches away from local litter inputs. However, these studies have been in areas with moderate to high levels of shipping activity. I examined bottles stranded on the Pitcairn Islands in the central South Pacific, which are far from major shipping routes. Drink bottles from Asia dominated, with most coming from China. The top four brands (three Chinese and one multinational) were the same as at Tristan da Cunha in the central South Atlantic Ocean, which lies on the shipping route between South America and Asia. Bottle ages also were similar at Pitcairn and Tristan, indicating that vessels are the main source of bottles at both islands. Stricter controls are needed to reduce illegal dumping of plastics at sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter G Ryan
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.
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2
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Lovell TA. Implementing the voluntary guidelines for the marking of fishing gear in eastern Caribbean small-scale fisheries: An assessment of gear marking provisions. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115292. [PMID: 37473611 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Managing abandoned, lost and otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is a critical challenge that can be aided by the establishment of strong provisions for the marking of gear. This study presents an analysis of implementation of the VGMFG in Eastern Caribbean states. It provides a socio-legal review of this issues and an analysis of compliance and implementation gaps. Empirical data was gathered through interviews with 56 fishers in 2 jurisdictions as well as 6 national and regional fisheries management experts. Antigua and Barbuda's Fisheries Regulations provided the strongest support to implementation of the VGMFG, while neither Dominica nor Grenada had weak regulatory support for gear marking. Both fishers and fisheries managers in the region confirmed compliance and implementation gaps in the establishment of gear marking schemes, while regional fisheries experts highlighted the limited human, financial and infrastructural capacity of departments to effectively implement such schemes along with other ALDFG management measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tricia A Lovell
- WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, World Maritime University, Fiskehamnsgatan 1, 500, 201 24 Malmö, Sweden; Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs, Point Wharf Fisheries Complex, St. John, Antigua and Barbuda.
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3
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Basurko OC, Markalain G, Mateo M, Peña-Rodriguez C, Mondragon G, Larruskain A, Larreta J, Moalla Gil N. End-of-life fishing gear in Spain: Quantity and recyclability. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120545. [PMID: 36328283 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
European Commission has approached the challenge of End-Of-Life (EOL) fishing gear and Abandoned, Lost, or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) by focusing on circular economy. Current directives highlight the need to provide a proper management to EOL fishing gears, fostering their separate collection, transport, and treatment from a circular perspective. They also request Member States to set collection and treatment targets. However, this is far from being widely implemented in a coordinated manner. In the quest to explore the Spanish case, this contribution aims at providing insights on the amount and type of EOL fishing gear and management practices carried out in different Spanish ports, as well as recycling options for such gears. Data was collected through an online survey, interviews to stakeholders, and visits to ports. Composition, degradation and mechanical recyclability of EOL samples were assessed. Yearly, 1643 tonnes of EOL fishing gear (mainly nets) are discarded in Spanish ports from trawling (97.5%), gillnet/trammel nets (2.3%) and purse seine (0.2%) fisheries. High-density polyethylene (from trawling nets) is the most common discarded polymer, followed by polyamide 6 (from gillnets/trammel net and purse seine nets). EOL fishing gear management is diverse in Spain as it depends on the nature of the port (who governs it, either regional or national govern), special agreements between local fishers' guilds and waste managing companies, the waste managers in port, etc. Polyamide nets are degraded but in good condition to be recycled mechanically; for trawl nets chemical recycling is more suited due to their degraded state. Currently, few recycling companies exists in Spain that are engaged on mechanical recycling of EOL fishing gears, none in chemical recycling. Therefore, a more comprehensive analysis, coordination, and smart logistics are needed to make the collection and recycling of EOL fishing gear possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oihane C Basurko
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA). Herrera Kaia, Portualdea z/g, 20110, Pasaia, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
| | - Gorka Markalain
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA). Herrera Kaia, Portualdea z/g, 20110, Pasaia, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
| | - Maria Mateo
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA). Herrera Kaia, Portualdea z/g, 20110, Pasaia, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
| | - Cristina Peña-Rodriguez
- "Materials +Technologies" Research Group (GMT), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plaza Europa 1, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
| | - Gurutz Mondragon
- "Materials +Technologies" Research Group (GMT), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plaza Europa 1, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
| | - Ander Larruskain
- "Materials +Technologies" Research Group (GMT), Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gipuzkoa, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Plaza Europa 1, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
| | - Joana Larreta
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA). Herrera Kaia, Portualdea z/g, 20110, Pasaia, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
| | - Nadia Moalla Gil
- Spanish Fishing Confederation / Confederación Española de Pesca (CEPESCA), C/ Doctor Fleming, 7, 2 Dcha, 28036, Madrid, Spain.
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Owiredu SA, Kim KI, Kim BY. Seafloor litter generated by coastal and offshore fisheries operations in the South Sea of Korea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 182:113942. [PMID: 35870356 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Seafloor litter sources, distribution and density were assessed in a bottom trawl survey of the South Sea around Jeju Island by the Ara-ho training ship of Jeju National University. Samples were taken from 14 transects at a depth range of 60-120 m in areas with sandy and muddy substratum. Generally, mean densities varied from 26.9 items/km2 to 62.4 items/km2 and 104.8 kg/km2 to 370.9 kg/km2. Mean densities of total litter sampled was 46.3 items/km2 and 228.6 kg/km2. Derelict gears were the most common litter items (92 % of total litter) with mean densities of 44.3 items/km2 and 228.1 kg/km2. Gillnets and traps were the most derelict with densities reaching 4.9 items/km2 and 99.2 kg/km2 and 25.0 items/km2 and 89.1 kg/km2 respectively. The results of this study indicate that significant level of pollution in the South Sea are generated from commercial fishing activities and gillnets and traps being high risk derelict gears.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kwang-Il Kim
- College of Ocean Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea.
| | - Byung-Yeob Kim
- College of Ocean Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
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Constantino MM, Cubas ALV, Silvy G, Magogada F, Moecke EHS. Impacts of illegal fishing in the inland waters of the State of Santa Catarina -Brazil. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 180:113746. [PMID: 35642799 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Fish stocks are being severely depleted, marine habitats are threatened and marine pollution is on the rise due to discarded fishing gear. This equipment is generally from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, leading to incidental fishing and sometimes ghost fishing. In this study, data obtained from reports produced by the Environmental Military Police in Santa Catarina, Brazil, on gill nets fixed in the coastal area and at the baseline limit of this state, for the period of 2019 to 2020, were analyzed. The results show a large number of seized and collected illegal fishing gear, as well as mammals, fish and birds found entangled in the nets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcia Maria Constantino
- Postgraduate program, Master's in Environmental Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, 88137-270 Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Anelise Leal Vieira Cubas
- Postgraduate program, Master's in Environmental Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, 88137-270 Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
| | - Guilherme Silvy
- Polícia Militar de Santa Catarina, 88080 -010 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Fernando Magogada
- Polícia Militar de Santa Catarina, 88080 -010 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Elisa Helena Siegel Moecke
- Postgraduate program, Master's in Environmental Sciences, University of South Santa Catarina, 88137-270 Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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Gajanur AR, Jaafar Z. Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear at urban coastlines. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 175:113341. [PMID: 35123272 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is considered a major threat to ocean biodiversity. Yet, little is known of the interactive impacts of ALDFGs and urban nearshore biodiversity and habitats, especially in Southeast Asia where fisheries efforts are increasing. We identified ALDFG hotspots around Singapore-where 80% of coastal areas are urbanized or anthropogenically modified. Fishing lines and nets were the most common ALDFGs recovered; with strong correlations between ALDFG presence and beaches, intertidal, mangroves, as well as sites with significant coastal modifications. Plastic polymer nets trapped the highest organism diversity and abundance. A total of 1052 trapped individuals comprising 124 species were recovered, the majority in classes Merostomata, Actinopterygii and Malacostraca. The most abundant trapped species was Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda and the highest mortality presentation was in Class Actinopterygii. This study demonstrates that ALDFGs remain a threat to marine biodiversity within urban coastal habitats and at heavily modified shorelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anya Roopa Gajanur
- Department of Biological Sciences, 14 Science Drive 4, National University of Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Zeehan Jaafar
- Department of Biological Sciences, 14 Science Drive 4, National University of Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
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Wright LS, Napper IE, Thompson RC. Potential microplastic release from beached fishing gear in Great Britain's region of highest fishing litter density. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113115. [PMID: 34743074 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
While land-based sources of marine plastic pollution have gained widespread attention, marine-based sources are less extensively investigated. Here, we provide the first in-depth description of abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) on northern and southern beaches of the English Southwest Peninsula, Great Britain's region of highest ALDFG density. Three distinct categories were recorded: twisted rope (0.28 ± 0.14 m-1, 17%), braided rope (0.56 ± 0.28 m-1, 33%) and filament (0.84 ± 0.41 m-1, 50%), which likely correspond to fishing rope, net and line. Estimating the disintegration of ALDFG from length and filament number suggests that it has the potential to generate 1277 ± 431 microplastic pieces m-1, with fishing rope (44%) and net (49%) as the largest emitters. Importantly, ALDFG was over five times more abundant on the south coast, which is likely attributable to the three times higher fishing intensity in that area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luka Seamus Wright
- International Marine Litter Research Unit, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, United Kingdom.
| | - Imogen Ellen Napper
- International Marine Litter Research Unit, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, United Kingdom
| | - Richard C Thompson
- International Marine Litter Research Unit, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, United Kingdom
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Chumchuen W, Krueajun K. Fishing activities and viewpoints on fishing gear marking of gillnet fishers in small-scale and industrial fishery in the Gulf of Thailand. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 172:112827. [PMID: 34416501 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Gillnets can cause impacts on marine ecosystems when they become abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). Fishing gear marking is a tool to address ALDFG and its impacts. This study aims to compare the characteristics and fishing activities of fishers in small-scale fishery (SSF) and industrial fishery (IDF) as well as their viewpoints on fishing gear marking practice. Data were collected during July-November 2020 from 95 fishers in five coastal provinces of Thailand. Most fishers used crab gillnets; besides, fishing capability and intensity of fishers in IDF were higher than in SSF. Awareness of fishing gear marking practice of fishers in IDF was higher than in SSF, but acceptance was not different. Preferred material was fabric for fishers in SSF and plastic for fishers in IDF. Most fishers anticipated government as producer. Moreover, further studies are needed to develop suitable materials, installation and cost for fishing gear marking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Watcharapong Chumchuen
- Marine Fisheries Research and Development Division, Department of Fisheries, 50 Phahol Yothin Road, Lad Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
| | - Kraison Krueajun
- Marine Fisheries Research and Development Division, Department of Fisheries, 50 Phahol Yothin Road, Lad Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
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9
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He P, Song L. Responsible fishing operations for clean oceans, healthy ecosystems and sustainable fisheries. AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aaf.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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10
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Wang Y, Zhou C, Xu L, Wan R, Shi J, Wang X, Tang H, Wang L, Yu W, Wang K. Degradability evaluation for natural material fibre used on fish aggregation devices (FADs) in tuna purse seine fishery. AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aaf.2020.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Sinopoli M, Cillari T, Andaloro F, Berti C, Consoli P, Galgani F, Romeo T. Are FADs a significant source of marine litter? Assessment of released debris and mitigation strategy in the Mediterranean sea. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 253:109749. [PMID: 31671325 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A poorly known form of marine litter known as Abandoned, Lost or otherwise Discarded Fishing (ALDFG) derives from fishing activities using FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices). In the Mediterranean Sea, this activity is widespread in southern Italy, Tunisia, Malta and Majorca (Spain). The way of constructing FADs, from a functional point of view, is very similar throughout the Mediterranean and consists mainly of the use of different materials for the floats and for the cables and blocks for anchoring. Every year, for at least 30 years, about 60,000 FADs have been placed at sea and in most cases are not recovered. In this study, through analysis of the scientific and grey literature, a historical reconstruction of the use of FADs in the Mediterranean Sea was made, including their spatial distribution, the number of objects and the materials used to build the devices. It has been estimated that approximately 1.6 million FADs were abandoned in the Mediterranean Sea between 1961 and 2017. The largest fishing areas are off Malta (34,465 km2) and Tunisia (23,033 km2). The greatest numbers of abandoned plastic sheets (452,742) and concrete blocks (905,483) were estimated to be around Tunisia, while the greatest amount, in terms of length, of polyethylene cable (399,423 km) was estimated to be around Sicily. About 30% of FADs used all over the world are used in the Mediterranean and are only of the anchored type (corresponding to about 90% of those anchored used worldwide). The legislation on the use of Mediterranean FADs is still poor and does not address environmental issues. An analysis of the possible environmental impacts of the FAD litter was made. Overall, reducing the number of FADs and introducing new types of FADs equipped with specific technological systems appear to be the most suitable strategies to mitigate the impact of FADs on the environment and resources, as well as measures and incentives to involve fishermen in their better management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Sinopoli
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale Della Sicilia, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Palermo. Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo N. 4521 (ex Complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Cillari
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT. Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo N. 4521 (ex Complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy
| | - Franco Andaloro
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale Della Sicilia, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Palermo. Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo N. 4521 (ex Complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudio Berti
- Marine Expert, Via Paradiso, 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Consoli
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale Della Sicilia, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Milazzo. Via Dei Mille, 46 - 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | | | - Teresa Romeo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale Della Sicilia, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Milazzo. Via Dei Mille, 46 - 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy; Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT. Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo N. 4521 (ex Complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy
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Stelfox M, Bulling M, Sweet M. Untangling the origin of ghost gear within the Maldivian archipelago and its impact on olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) populations. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2019. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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