Journal of Marine Science: Research & Development
Open Access

Marine litter is also called as marine debris is human-created waste that has deliberately or accidentally been released in a sea or ocean. Floating oceanic litter tends to accumulate the center of gyres and on coastlines frequently washing aground when it is termed as beach litter or tide wrack. Clean-up schemes particularly those requiring public participation, have led to greater public awareness.

Marine debris is classified in different ways, but it can be classified into several distinct pathways split by the material like plastic, glass, rubber, metal, timber, paper or cupboard, textiles.

Plastic: It is used widely and it is covered by synthetic polymeric materials. Plastics material including the moulded, soft, foam, fisheries related equipment.

Other synthetic materials: These are also like plastics which are in light weight to carry. Other synthetic materials are widely used and easy to produce these are common in marine debris. E.g.: Aerosol containers, glass, bottles, drinking cans, etc.

Semi-degradable materials: These materials are paper, cupboard items, bags comes under marine debris. Compare with the synthetic materials these are much smaller quantity than synthetic materials.

Textiles: Textiles are also considered as marine litter such as cloths, bags, curtains and shoes.

Most of the coastal municipalities are impacted economically by the marine litter primarily through the direct cost of keeping beaches clear of litter and its wider implications for tourism and recreation of the nature.

Marine debris is not only for ugly it can affect marine ecosystem, wildlife and humans. It can injure coral reefs and the bottom of marine area species and entangle or drown ocean wildlife. Some marine animals are used to eat smaller plastic particles and choke or starve.

Medical waste (such as syringes), sharp objects, and large pieces of litter can pose a direct threat to humans. The economic impact of marine litter is thought to be significant factor for the marine substituents.

The wastage of materials and many plastics are floating on the water they are also resistance in the water and couldn’t degrade in the water environment. Global coverage is particularly important because some artificial debris such as plastic can travel over long distances and accumulate over time.

Satellites can also help to survey remote, hard to reach areas, in which direct observations are spares and difficult. Because of huge diversity the chemistry and geometry of different types of debris there is no single sensor used to see it all.

Discarded litter can also provide a reservoir for stagnant water providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies that spread diseases such as Dengue Fever, Malaria and Chikungunya virus to humans.

The wastage of materials and many plastics are floating on the water they are also resistance in the water and couldn’t degrade in the water environment. Global coverage is particularly important because some artificial debris such as plastic can travel over long distances and accumulate over time.

Medical waste (such as syringes), sharp objects, and large pieces of litter can pose a direct threat to humans. The economic impact of marine litter is thought to be significant factor for the marine substituents.

Marine litter is a complex problem to address, which exerts significant economic costs, often borne not by the polluter but by coastal and marine industries such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, etc. some of the contribute individuals are significantly used to marine litter. Economic instruments are having a potentially important role to play in addressing marine litter with initiatives in place in several countries proving that they can also lead to significant reductions in waste entering the environment.