title: Patterns of marine debris distribution on the beaches of Rottnest Island, Western Australia.
abstract: Rottnest Island, Western Australia, receives >500,000 visitors y(-1), who are mainly attracted by the Island's natural values. Marine debris is a threat to both these natural values and to Island wildlife, and is consequently an important issue for managers. Engaging with volunteers, we quantified marine debris at 16 beach sites around the Island. The highest loads occurred on the SW coast and primarily comprised items originating from fishing activities. Sites on the NE coast, where >95% of the Island's accommodation is located, supported the highest abundance of items deposited in situ (e.g. bottles and cigarette butts). We conclude that marine debris management may require a range of strategies to address the different primary sources. Raising awareness through education and intervention may be highly effective at popular beaches on the NE coast, but broader liaison with commercial and recreational fishers will be necessary to address the issue at the Island scale.
authors.affiliation: National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, PO Box 4321, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia. Electronic address: steve.smith@scu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Stephen D A
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Earthwatch Institute Australia, 126 Bank Street, South Melbourne, VIC 3205, Australia.
authors.forename: Chris L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Gillies
authors.affiliation: Rottnest Island Authority, P.O. Box 693, Fremantle, WA 6959, Australia.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shortland-Jones
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D062312:Islands; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010969:Plastics; D011998:Recreation; D018505:Waste Management; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D014904:Western Australia
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D014866:Waste Products; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Citizen science; Fishing; In situ deposition; Management; Plastic; Volunteers