We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Marine Plastic Littering: a Review of Socio Economic Impacts
Summary
This review assessed the socioeconomic impacts of marine plastic litter, covering effects on tourism, fisheries, shipping, and coastal community well-being, and finding that annual economic costs run into the billions of dollars globally, with developing coastal nations bearing disproportionate burdens.
Marine plastic littering resulting from human activity constitutes an increasingly significant global issue. The use of plastic materials is steadily rising due to their light weight, durability and versatility. However, they are also low cost, leading to a higher chance of them being disposed of and consequently ending up in the marine environment. Furthermore, their low decomposition rates as a consequence of the aforementioned properties, result in plastic accumulation. This paper reviews marine plastic pollution and highlights the progress of research on its socioeconomic consequences, within the scope of ultimately developing a marine sustainability and protection approach. To that end and after a systematic inclusion/exclusion process of publications retrieved from the Scopus and Google Scholar bibliographic databases, six hundred and sixty-six (616) papers were selected for participation in the study. As far as economic implications are concerned, the impact of marine plastic pollution on marine-based sources of income, such as fishing, aquaculture, marine tourism and merchant shipping, was studied. Next, this paper evaluates the dire social repercussions in terms of human food safety and health, threat of injury or death and intrinsic natural value loss. Finally, prevention measures in the form of legislation and coping strategies at an international level are discussed.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
The Economics of Marine Litter
This paper analyzed the economics of marine litter, estimating the costs imposed on fishing, tourism, and coastal communities and arguing that the economic case for prevention and cleanup is substantial.
Impacts and Threats of Marine Litter in African Seas
This review examines the impacts of marine litter — with a focus on plastic pollution — on the ecosystems, economies, and communities of coastal African nations, drawing on global data to infer likely impacts where African-specific research is scarce.
Marine debris: A review of impacts and global initiatives
This review provides a comprehensive overview of marine debris and its environmental, economic, and social impacts worldwide. Researchers found that plastics represent 50 to 90 percent of all marine debris, with millions of metric tonnes entering the oceans annually. The study surveys global policy initiatives aimed at reducing marine litter and identifies the need for more coordinated international action to address this pervasive pollution problem.
Plastics pollution: pathways, impacts, and regulatory challenges in marine environments
This review synthesizes research on microplastic pollution across the world's oceans, covering sources from land-based activities, rivers, fishing, and aquaculture. Researchers found that polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene account for over 60% of recovered ocean microplastics and that these particles affect organisms from single-celled life to large marine animals. The estimated economic losses from microplastic damage to marine ecosystem services range from 1.18 to 2.16 trillion USD, roughly 2% of global GDP.
Netting the problem: a comprehensive analysis of marine litter on artisanal fishers
A systematic global review found that while marine litter's ecological impacts are well-documented, research on its socioeconomic effects on artisanal fishing communities is sparse—revealing significant financial losses, gear damage, and safety risks that disproportionately affect small-scale fishers.