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Out of sight, but not out of mind: Key issues regarding seafloor macrolitter monitoring
Summary
This expert consensus report recommends methods and standards for monitoring seafloor macrolitter through observation and imaging, emphasizing the need for harmonized, non-destructive techniques and use of advanced technologies. The seafloor is recognized as a major sink for plastic debris, making robust monitoring essential for informing evidence-based marine litter policy.
Following a number of meetings devoted to knowledge sharing, identification of key issues, and discussing the best ways to move forward, a wide international expert community is now able to provide recommendations regarding the monitoring of seafloor macrolitter through observation and imaging. As the seafloor constitutes a major sink for marine litter including plastics, it is important to acquire robust and extensive data on litter distribution, abundance, types and size ranges across marine habitats. This should be done through widely agreed, harmonised, and non-destructive methods encompassing advanced technologies. Training and capacity building are essential elements in this endeavour. Both new and legacy imagery are needed to establish baseline assessments and trends. Informing policy-making is indispensable for effective action through upstream and targeted measures, with seafloor macrolitter (and megalitter) being a vital part of the evidence base for global mitigation measures.