Empowering Local Practitioners to Collect and Report on Anthropogenic Riverine and Marine Debris Using Inexpensive Methods in India

Abstract

This article includes a review of the literature on marine debris in an Indian context and introduces a replicable, scientific, and inexpensive collection method to build capacity and inform policymakers. We share baseline data resulting from ten cleanups using these methods in India. This method was introduced in a 2019 workshop to train Indian researchers, leading to local-led collections in three states and two Union Territories (8 beaches, 2 riversides) yielding 33,474 individual pieces of debris weighing a total of 599.15 kg. Plastic was the most frequently found material at all ten collection sites, comprising from 45% to 89% of all items found. The research establishes a baseline data collection at ten locations, with debris density at sites ranging from 0.38–3.86 items/m2. Application of the Clean Coast Index yields resulting rankings of moderate (1 site), dirty (2 sites), and extremely dirty (7 sites). Researchers also identified 2461 brands in analysis at six sites, 76% of which were Indian in origin. Replication of the methods in other Indian regions among the community of thirty-three practitioners was below target for collection (41%) and brand audit (8.3%) with 25% of teams sharing data with the community of practitioners and 12.5% sharing results with local policymakers. The analysis indicates debris is overwhelmingly composed of plastic from residential activities. The methods empower practitioners to collect and report on debris, ground-truthing global debris estimates, and illuminating the missing plastic problem.

River engage: Insights on plastic debris polluting the Aturukuku River in Uganda, the Ayung River in Indonesia, and the Connecticut River in the United States

“…After flagging the study area, researchers walk a precise pattern dictated by NOAA, covering the complete area by walking back and forth, scanning from side to side in order to collect all macro debris visible within the given area that is attributable to humans. As described in Owens and Kamil (2020) and Owens et al (2022), this method combines the NOAA methodology for a standing stock survey (which typically covers 100 m of shoreline but does not include removing debris) and the accumulation method (which includes the entire shoreline and does include removing debris). This practical combined approach allows removing debris from a limited area to take a snapshot of accumulation of plastic and other debris.…”

“…Researchers collect the debris and log it onto data collection sheets by type of material. The debris from a limited portion of shoreline is removed using this replicable, inexpensive, scientific method to serve a broader goal of informing policymakers and community members about the problem in a local context (Owens et al, 2022).…”

Hybrid Intelligence for Marine Biodiversity: Integrating Citizen Science with AI for Enhanced Intertidal Conservation Efforts at Cape Santiago, Taiwan

“…Historically, it has been instrumental in various marine research undertakings. Notable projects include monitoring reef fish ecosystems [32], tracking queen conch species populations [33], discerning seagrass bed dynamics [34], and mapping the distribution patterns of marine litter [35,36]. The unique advantage of CS in marine projects lies in its capacity to amplify the spatial and temporal scope of studies [37,38].…”