Low quantities of marine debris at the northern Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia, influenced by visitation and accessibility

Emma L Westlake; Emma Lawrence; Natalie Travaglione; Peter Barnes; Damian P Thomson

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113294

Low quantities of marine debris at the northern Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia, influenced by visitation and accessibility

Mar Pollut Bull. 2022 Jan:174:113294. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113294. Epub 2022 Jan 5.

Authors

Emma L Westlake¹, Emma Lawrence², Natalie Travaglione³, Peter Barnes⁴, Damian P Thomson⁵

Affiliations

¹ Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Oceans and Atmosphere, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia. Electronic address: emma.westlake@csiro.au.
² Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Data61, 41 Boggo Rd, Dutton Park, QLD 4102, Australia.
³ Murdoch University, 90 South St, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
⁴ Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, 20 Nimitz St, Exmouth, WA 6707, Australia.
⁵ Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Oceans and Atmosphere, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.

PMID: 35090279
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113294

Abstract

Marine debris (MD) is a serious environmental concern globally. Yet, few studies have reported on MD in sanctuary zones of the Indian Ocean. Consequently, coastal transects were conducted to determine MD quantity, composition and distribution at northern Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia. Debris density ranged between 0.004 and 0.02 items m^-2 with the greatest density near Exmouth township. Composition was predominantly plastic (61%) with fishing-related items (25.5%) and plastic fragments/remnants (16%) the most numerous overall. Land-based and general sourced MD accounted for 88% of all debris. Debris levels were significantly lower at sites with higher visitation and increased distance from access points. There was no significant difference between sanctuary and non-sanctuary zones. Although not immune to MD, this study suggests its remote location, environmental awareness and management strategies implemented at Ningaloo Marine Park may be key to its low MD levels.

Keywords: Litter; Management; Marine debris; Marine park; Plastic; Sanctuary zone.

MeSH terms

Environmental Monitoring*
Hunting
Plastics
Waste Products* / analysis
Western Australia

Substances

Plastics
Waste Products