title: Spatial and temporal analysis of litter in the Celtic Sea from Groundfish Survey data: Lessons for monitoring.
abstract: The Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires EU Member States to sample and monitor marine litter. Criteria for sampling and detecting spatial and/or temporal variation in the amount of litter present have been developed and initiated throughout Europe. These include implementing standardised sampling and recording methods to enable cross-comparison and consistency between neighbours. Parameters of interest include; litter occurrence, composition, distribution and source. This paper highlights the litter-related initiatives occurring in Irish waters; presents an offshore benthic litter sampling series; provides a power analysis to determine trend detection thresholds; identifies areas and sources of litter; and proposes improvements to meet reporting obligations. Litter was found to be distributed throughout Irish waters with highest occurrences in the Celtic Sea. Over 50% of litter encountered was attributed to fishing activities: however only a small proportion of the variability in litter occurrence could be explained by spatial patterns in fishing effort. Issues in implementing standardised protocol were observed and addressed.
authors.affiliation: Fisheries Ecosystem & Advisory Services, Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland. Electronic address: Meadhbh.Moriarty@gov.scot.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moriarty
authors.affiliation: Fisheries Ecosystem & Advisory Services, Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pedreschi
authors.affiliation: Fisheries Ecosystem & Advisory Services, Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stokes
authors.affiliation: Fisheries Ecosystem & Advisory Services, Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dransfeld
authors.affiliation: Fisheries Ecosystem & Advisory Services, Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D007494:Ireland; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014873:Water Pollutants
keywords: Celtic Sea; Fishing; Geostatistical analysis; Litter; MSFD; Power analysis