Marine Litter: an analytical overview

Abstract

Marine litter poses a vast and growing threat to the marine and coastal environment. It is found in all sea and ocean areas of the world – not only in densely populated regions but also in remote places far away from any obvious source. Marine litter travels over long distances with ocean currents and winds and is found everywhere in the marine and coastal environment, from the poles tothe equator, from continental coastlines to small remote islands. Marine litter originates from many sources and causes a wide spectrum of environmental, economic, safety, health and cultural impacts. The very slow rate of degradation of most marine litter items, mainly plastics, together with the continuously growing quantity of the litter and debris disposed, is leading to a gradual increase in marine litter found at sea and on the shores.