Litter assessment on 99 Cuban beaches: A baseline to identify sources of pollution and impacts for tourism and recreation. Issue 1 (15th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Botero, C.M.; Anfuso, G.; Milanes, C.; Cabrera, A.; Casas, G.; Pranzini, E.; Williams, A.T.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 118:Issue 1/2(2017)
• Page Start: 437
• Page End: 441
• Publication Date: 2017-05-15
• Subjects: Litter -- Beach cleanliness -- Type of beaches -- Sustainable tourism -- Baseline -- Cuba; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.02.061
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Litter presence was assessed on the entire Cuban coastline, and includes 99 beaches from all Cuban regions, during field work carried out in 2012 and 2015. A standard method verified in several countries was applied, which classified beaches for nine types of litter into four grades (A-excellent to D-poor). Almost half of the Cuban beaches obtained excellent cleanliness scores, although many needed to be better managed. In this baseline, the most common types of residue were general litter (8% grade D and 35% grades B/C) and potentially harmful litter (< 68% with grade A). Resort beaches and those with international visitors showed the best litter management. Tourism Impacts seems to be related to visitor origin therefore choices to develop sustainable tourism in rural and village beaches (64%) appears low, if beach cleaning gross investment is focused on resort beaches (24%). Finally, this paper highlights geographical distribution and types of litter patterns. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Litter on 99 Cuban beaches was assessed, covering all provinces of the island. Research shows a baseline of litter with the EA/NALG technique. Data was sampling in four beach categories: resort (n = 24), urban (n = 11), rural (n = 47) and village (n = 17). The most common types of residue were general litter and potentially harmful litter Consequences of beach litter in Cuba are related to tourism rather than environment.