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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Plastic pollution transcends marine protected area boundaries in the eastern tropical and south-eastern Pacific
Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol.201, pp.1-5
2024
PMID: 38513604
Abstract
The Eastern Tropical and South-Eastern Pacific region is of global biodiversity importance. At COP26, the governments of Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador committed to the expansion of existing MPAs to create a new Mega MPA, safeguarding the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor. It offers a profound step forward in conservation efforts but is not specifically designed to protect against the more diffuse anthropogenic threats, such as plastic pollution. We combine published data with our own unpublished records to assess the abundance and distribution of plastic pollution in the region. Macro- and microplastic concentrations varied markedly and were not significantly different when comparing areas inside and outside existing MPA boundaries. These findings highlight the diffuse and complex nature of plastic pollution and its ubiquitous presence across MPA boundaries. Understanding the sources and drivers of plastic pollution in the region is key to developing effective solutions.
Details
- Title
- Plastic pollution transcends marine protected area boundaries in the eastern tropical and south-eastern Pacific
- Authors
- Zara L.R. Botterell (Corresponding Author) - University of ExeterFrancisca Ribeiro - University of ExeterDaniela Estefania Alarcon Ruales - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringEliana Alfaro - ProDelphinusJoanna Alfaro-Shigueto - University of ExeterNicola Allan - University of ExeterNicole Becerra - WatermansLaura Braunholtz - University of ExeterSusana Cardenas-Diaz - Universidad San Francisco de QuitoDiamela de Veer - Smithsonian Environmental Research CenterGabriela Escobar-Sanchez - Klaipėda UniversityMaria Virginia Gabela-Flores - Universidad San Francisco de QuitoBrendan J. Godley - University of ExeterInty Grønneberg - WatermansJessica A. Howard - Galapagos Conservation TrustDaniela Honorato-Zimmer - Universidad Católica del NorteJen S. Jones - Galapagos Conservation TrustCeri Lewis - University of ExeterJeffrey C. Mangel - ProDelphinusMaximilian MartinJuan Pablo Muñoz Pérez - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringSarah E. Nelms - University of ExeterClara Ortiz-Alvarez - ProDelphinusAdam Porter - University of ExeterMartin Thiel - Universidad Católica Silva HenríquezTamara S. Galloway - University of Exeter
- Publication details
- Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol.201, pp.1-5
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116271
- ISSN
- 1879-3363; 0025-326X
- PMID
- 38513604
- Copyright note
- © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
- Data Availability
- Our dataset is fully available within the Supplementary Information.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991016298602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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