Marine Debris on Small Islands: Insights from an Educational Outreach Program in the Spermonde Archipelago, Indonesia

Sur, Christine; Abbott, Jessica M.; Ambo‐Rappe, Rohani; Asriani, Nenni; Hameed, Sarah O.; Jellison, Brittany M.; Lestari, Hasriani A.; Limbong, Steven R.; Mandasari, Musdalifah; Ng, Gabriel; Satterthwaite, Erin V.; Syahid, Sulham; Trockel, Dale; Umar, Widyastuti; Williams, Susan L.

doi:10.3389/fmars.2018.00035

Cited by 18 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…While the majority of global plastics waste is generated in the Global North, a large portion of manufacturing of single-use plastic packaging has shifted to Asia [7]. Meanwhile the rising standard of living in the fast growing economies of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia [8], has allowed people in low resource remote communities to buy more single-use plastic items than they could before [9]. Infrastructure for waste management and disposal, however, has not kept up [10,11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ocean plastic crisis—Mental models of plastic pollution from remote Indonesian coastal communities

et al. 2020

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The crisis facing the world's oceans from plastics is well documented, yet there is little knowledge of the perspectives, experiences and options of the coastal communities facing overwhelming quantities of plastics on their beaches and in their fishing waters. In emerging economies such as those in the Coral Triangle, the communities affected are among the poorest of their countries. To understand the consequences of ocean plastic pollution in coastal regions, through the eyes of local people, this study examines the knowledge, use, disposal and local consequences of single use plastics in remote island communities in two archipelagos of southern Sulawesi, Indonesia. Using mixed methods-a survey of plastic literacy and behaviour, household interviews about purchasing and disposal, and focus group discussions to generate shared mental models-we identify a complex set of factors contributing to extensive plastic leakage into the marine environment. The rising standard of living has allowed people in low resource, remote communities to buy more single-use plastic items than they could before. Meanwhile complex geography and minimal collection services make waste management a difficult issue, and leave the communities themselves to shoulder the impacts of the ocean plastic crisis. Although plastic literacy is low, there is little the coastal communities can do unless presented with better choice architecture both on the supply side and in disposal options. Our results suggest that for such coastal communities improved waste disposal is urgent. Responsible supply chains and non-plastic alternatives are needed. Producers and manufacturers can no longer focus only on low-cost packaged products, without taking responsibility for the outcomes. Without access to biodegradable, environmentally friendly products, and a circular plastic system, coastal communities and surrounding marine ecosystems will continue to be inundated in plastic waste.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ocean plastic crisis—Mental models of plastic pollution from remote Indonesian coastal communities

et al. 2020

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“…Local island human populations rely heavily on nearby coral reefs (Ferse et al, 2014). Additionally, islands with small population sizes, ranging from a few to 1000s of inhabitants, generally have minimal waste management facilities resulting in vast dumping of waste materials into surrounding waters (Sur et al, 2018). This has impacted local water nutrient concentrations and bacterial communities among inhabited islands (Kegler et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatio-Temporal Patterns in Coral Reef Communities of the Spermonde Archipelago, 2012–2014, I: Comprehensive Reef Monitoring of Water and Benthic Indicators Reflect Changes in Reef Health

et al. 2018

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Pollution, fishing, and outbreaks of predators can heavily impact coastal coral reef ecosystems, leading to decreased water quality and benthic community shifts. To determine the main environmental drivers of coral reef status in the Spermonde Archipelago, Indonesia, we monitored environmental variables and coral reef benthic community structure along an on-to-offshore gradient annually from 2012 to 2014. Findings revealed that concentrations of phosphate, chlorophyll a-like fluorescence, suspended particulate matter, and light attenuation significantly decreased from on-to-offshore, while concentrations of dissolved O 2 and values of water pH significantly increased on-to-offshore. Nitrogen stable isotope signatures of sediment and an exemplary common brown alga were significantly enriched nearshore, identifying wastewater input from the city of Makassar as primary N source. In contrast to the high temporal variability in water quality, coral reef benthic community cover did not show strong temporal, but rather, spatial patterns. Turf algae was the dominant group next to live coral, and was negatively correlated to live coral, crustose coralline algae (CCA), rubble and hard substrate. Variation in benthic cover along the gradient was explained by water quality variables linked to trophic status and physico-chemical variables. As an integrated measure of reef status and structural complexity, the benthic index, based on the ratio of relative cover of live coral and CCA to other coral reef organisms, and reef rugosity were determined. The benthic index was consistently low nearshore and increased offshore, with high variability in the midshelf sites across years. Reef rugosity was also lowest nearshore and increased further offshore. Both indices dropped in 2013, increasing again in 2014, indicating a period of acute disturbance and recovery within the study and suggesting that the mid-shelf reefs are more resilient to disturbance than nearshore reefs. We thus recommend using these two indices with a selected number of environmental variables as an integral part of future reef monitoring.

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“…Furthermore, human pressure on the coastal and aquatic surrounding ecosystem in Indonesia, through plastic waste, is increasing [7], considering that 60% of the approximately 250 million people in Indonesia live in the coastal areas [8] (Figure 1). Ocean plastic waste originating from human activities has become a massive problem in almost all the small island and coastal regions, especially in the eastern part of Indonesia [9]. This condition is caused by poor waste management and a lack of public awareness in disposing of waste in its place ( Figure 2), including in an area known as its marine biodiversities and marine tourism spots like Masohi ( Figure 3) and Salahutu (Figure 4).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How important risk analysis of plastic pollution in coastal area? Case study in Masohi, Central Maluku

et al. 2020

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Human pressure on the coastal and aquatic surrounding ecosystem in Indonesia, through plastic waste, is increasing, considering that 60 % of the approximately 250 million people live in the coastal areas. Plastic waste originating from human activities has become a massive problem in almost all the small island and coastal regions, especially in the eastern part of Indonesia. This condition is caused by poor waste management and a lack of public awareness in disposing of waste in its place, including in an area known as its marine biodiversities and marine tourism spots like Masohi in Central Maluku. Also, the composition of waste is dominated by plastic waste that cannot be decomposed in a short period, continue circulated on the ocean currents, and will be deposited in coastal areas. Furthermore, some plastic waste will break down into micro-plastics that pollute not only the environment but also marine biota, which are often consumed by humans. This situation profoundly affects the sustainability and function of aquaecosystem services in coastal areas. Therefore, a comprehensive policy and regulation, and interdisciplinary study for analysing vulnerable coastal ecosystem, and mitigating the potential risk of plastic pollution in Masohi, Central Maluku are essential to be conducted.

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Marine Debris on Small Islands: Insights from an Educational Outreach Program in the Spermonde Archipelago, Indonesia

Cited by 18 publications

References 24 publications

Ocean plastic crisis—Mental models of plastic pollution from remote Indonesian coastal communities

Ocean plastic crisis—Mental models of plastic pollution from remote Indonesian coastal communities

Spatio-Temporal Patterns in Coral Reef Communities of the Spermonde Archipelago, 2012–2014, I: Comprehensive Reef Monitoring of Water and Benthic Indicators Reflect Changes in Reef Health

How important risk analysis of plastic pollution in coastal area? Case study in Masohi, Central Maluku

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