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Paradise Trashed: Sources and solutions to marine litter in a small island developing state.
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This report reviewed sources of and solutions to marine litter in a Pacific island context, documenting plastic pollution threats to economically and ecologically important coastal ecosystems. It highlights the disproportionate impact of global plastic pollution on small island nations that contribute minimally to its production.
Anthropogenic marine litter pollution is a serious issue facing oceans worldwide. Limited data exists on this pollution issue for South Pacific Island nations and for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in general. This study presents the first extensive baseline survey of macro-sized marine litter on Mo'orea (0.75 items m) and Tahiti (0.95 items m), French Polynesia. Not unexpectedly, marine litter was dominated by plastics (58%); however, glass also made up a significant portion (21%). Sixty percent of recovered marine litter from both islands was derived from local land-based catchments, indicating that the bulk of the litter is from local sources. Measures to address the waste issue in French Polynesia will be discussed with a cash-for-container scheme for locally produced beer showing promising positive environmental results, and further strategies for waste management in SIDS raised.
More Papers Like This
The Ecological Impacts of Marine Plastic Debris in the South Pacific Region
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This thesis mapped the extent of marine plastic pollution in the South Pacific, finding contamination levels comparable to the North Pacific Garbage Patch, with significant threats to local ecosystems and island communities that depend on ocean resources for food and income. The study also compared the environmental impact of plastic shopping bag alternatives.
Marine Plastic Pollution in the South Pacific
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This review examines marine plastic pollution in the South Pacific, tracing the history of mass plastic production and the accumulation of debris in island nations and surrounding waters. It discusses the ecological threats and calls for international cooperation to address plastic pollution in this remote and vulnerable region.
Challenges to Plastic Up-Cycling in Small Island Communities: A Palauan Tale
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This case study from Palau examines the specific challenges that small island communities face in plastic up-cycling and waste management, including dual inputs from local use and ocean-transported plastics combined with limited infrastructure. The findings highlight how solutions effective in large continental settings may fail in small island contexts, and call for island-specific plastic management strategies.
Marine litter: how to monitor, reduce and prevent ocean debris. Focus on plastics and microplastics.
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This report reviewed the growing problem of plastic pollution in the oceans and the policy landscape for addressing it, emphasizing that production, use, and end-of-life management all require reform. It frames plastic pollution as a systemic challenge requiring coordinated international action rather than single-issue solutions.
Dampak Pencemaran Mikroplastik di wilayah Pesisir dan Kelautan
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This Indonesian overview examines the problems of microplastic contamination in coastal and marine environments, reviewing the sources, distribution, and ecological effects of plastic pollution. The paper highlights the particular vulnerability of Indonesian coastal areas given high plastic waste generation and limited waste management infrastructure.
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.