The series PENALTY aims to create awareness about the problem of marine plastic pollution that exists in World oceans, using the single plastic object of a football to represent the issue on a global scale. 769 marine debris footballs, plus 223 other types of balls, were collected from 41 different countries and islands around the World. They were recovered from 144 different beaches by 89 members of the public after an online appeal over 4 months. The series of four images show footballs from around The World, Europe, United Kingdom, and a collection made by One Man.
The series PENALTY aims to highlight the impact of plastic debris accumulating in World oceans, using the single plastic object of a football to represent the issue on a global scale. 769 marine debris footballs, plus 223 other types of balls, were collected from 41 different countries and islands around the World. 89 members of the public recovered balls from 144 different beaches after an online appeal over a period of just 4 months.
The recovered footballs have been incorporated into a series of 4 images, each showing the mass accumulation within the areas of the World, Europe,
The United Kingdom, and a collection by a single member of the public. The diverse scale of these collections show both one man’s determination to portray the issue of plastic pollution on an individual level, compared to the collaboration of 89 members of the public around the world that have all helped to represent the project on a global scale.
Whilst it is not possible to determine if the footballs have been thrown away, disposed of, or simply just lost during play, focusing on a single object it is hoped will provide increased awareness of the issue of plastic pollution as a whole. The project is not intended to be negative towards the game of football, or the ball itself, but to serve as an item of marine debris the public would easily be able to collect and post, taking the opportunity to raise awareness at the time of the Football World Cup.
The footballs were photographed as they were found, unwashed and unaltered, some containing seawater, others drained. Some were home to sea creatures, including a shrew, an ants’ nest, and a family of crabs, while others showed signs of teeth marks having been bitten by turtles, fish or sharks. The balls include a 1970 Mexico World Cup replica and two with printed signatures of Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking, England stalwarts of the 1970’s and early 80’s. There is no way of knowing where a ball has travelled from and for exactly how long it has been in the ocean. A Manchester United ball found on the west coast of Australia, or a 2010 African World Cup ball found in Brazil are unlikely to have crossed oceans, but can we be sure?
Scientific research has proved that over 260 different species of marine mammals, sea birds and turtles are constantly affected by entanglement and ingestion from plastic debris, with micro plastic particles affecting invertebrates, from barnacles to amphipods. The transference of toxic contaminants that occur from plastic to marine life is disturbing and concerning for the short and long-term implications to human health. Plastic debris damages ecosystems and alters habitats, reduces navigation safety and can have substantial economic impacts on local communities from clean up and disposal. While marine debris is a global trans-boundary problem, solutions are required at all levels and support needed for developing countries that may be particularly vulnerable to its impacts.