Journal
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
Volume 103, Issue 1-2, Pages 195-205Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.12.019
Keywords
Litter; Fishing; Celtic Sea; MSFD; Geostatistical analysis; Power analysis
Funding
- Marine Institute under the Marine Research Sub-Programme of the National Development Plan
- Beaufort Marine Research Award
- Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation
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The Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires EU Member States to sample and monitor marine litter. Criteria for sampling and detecting spatial and/or temporal variation in the amount of litter present have been developed and initiated throughout Europe. These include implementing standardised sampling and recording methods to enable cross-comparison and consistency between neighbours. Parameters of interest include; litter occurrence, composition, distribution and source. This paper highlights the litter-related initiatives occurring in Irish waters; presents an offshore benthic litter sampling series; provides a power analysis to determine trend detection thresholds; identifies areas and sources of litter; and proposes improvements to meet reporting obligations. Litter was found to be distributed throughout Irish waters with highest occurrences in the Celtic Sea. Over 50% of litter encountered was attributed to fishing activities: however only a small proportion of the variability in litter occurrence could be explained by spatial patterns in fishing effort. Issues in implementing standardised protocol were observed and addressed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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