We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Fishing litter dominates the litter along the beaches of Palk Bay, Southeastern of India
AI summary Read the abstract
This study assessed marine litter abundance, composition, and sources at ten fishing beaches along Palk Bay on the southeast coast of India, collecting 4,227 items at an average density of 0.70 items/m2. Plastic was the dominant material (84.54%), with the majority of litter originating from fishing activities—including strings, cords, lines, and gear. Social media data revealed 25 olive ridley turtles entangled in fishing litter between 2018 and 2020, highlighting the wildlife impacts of unmanaged fishing waste.
Abstract Fishing activity is a major source of marine litter on beaches, but most studies focus on recreational beaches. In this study, we assessed the abundance, composition, source and spatial distribution of marine litter on ten fishing beaches along Palk Bay, on the southeast coast of India. We also used social media to collect data on the impact of fishing litter on marine animals in the study area. A total of 4,227 marine litter and their average density of 0.70 items/m2 were collected. Plastic (84.54%) is the most abundant in the study area, followed by cloths (7.46%), glass (5.19%), and rubber (3.47%). From the result, the value of CCI ranges from 6.26 to 25.7 indicating that the coast is "moderately clean" to "extremely dirty". The majority of the marine litter collected originated from fishing activity. The most common are string and cord, fishing lines, fishing gear, floats and buoys. The presence of this type of marine litter can produce serious environmental issues, such as ghost fishing, that impacts a large variety of marine species. A total of 25 of the olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) were entangled in fishing litter between 2018 and 2020. Most of the reported entanglements were due to discarded or lost fishing gear, which shows the importance of managing this type of litter in India. It is important to manage the litter related to the fishing activity by educating fishermen and organizing clean-up campaigns.
More Papers Like This
Sources, spatial distribution, and abundance of marine debris on Thondi coast, Palk Bay, Southeast coast of India
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed marine debris abundance and composition on Thondi coast in Palk Bay, India, finding that plastic was the dominant litter type linked to local fishing, aquaculture, and agricultural activities, with seasonal variation in debris loads.
Sources, spatial distribution and abundance of marine debris on Thondi coast, Palk Bay, Southeast coast of India
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed the abundance, distribution, and types of marine debris on Thondi coast in southeast India, including the Clean Coast Index as a measure of beach cleanliness. The study found significant marine debris driven by fishing, aquaculture, and poor solid waste management in the area.
Impact of marine debris on coral reef ecosystem of Palk Bay, Indian Ocean
AI summary Read the abstract
This multi-year study monitored marine debris interactions with coral reefs in Palk Bay, India, finding that derelict fishing gear—primarily ropes and fishing lines—was the dominant debris type and caused physical injury to Acropora corals through entanglement. Regular manual debris removal at test sites resulted in significant increases in live coral cover and recruit density compared to undisturbed control sites, demonstrating the effectiveness of active debris management for reef conservation.
Microplastic prevalence in the beaches of Puducherry, India and its correlation with fishing and tourism/recreational activities
AI summary Read the abstract
A survey of six beaches on India's Puducherry coast found microplastic concentrations averaging 72 particles per 100g of sediment, with a strong positive correlation between fishing activity and microplastic abundance, but no significant relationship with recreational tourism. The findings suggest that fishing-related plastic waste is a more important local source of beach microplastic contamination than tourism activities.
Assessment of anthropogenic macro-litter and its impacts on the seagrass meadows of the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands, northern Indian Ocean.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted the first basin-scale survey of macro-litter in seagrass meadows of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, recording 4,257 items with plastics accounting for 88% of the assemblage; high plastic loads even at remote islands indicated long-range ocean transport, while abandoned fishing gear posed substantial entanglement risk to dugongs and sea turtles.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.