Floating marine litter and their risks to cetaceans off Portugal. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sá, Sara; Bastos-Santos, Jorge; Araújo, Hélder; Pereira, Andreia Torres; Ferreira, Marisa; Sarmento, Pedro; Vingada, José; Eira, Catarina
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 170(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Macrolitter -- Marine mammals -- Cetacean-litter overlap -- Plastics -- Northeast Atlantic; 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.2021.112603
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Floating Dangerous Debris For Cetaceans (DDFC) and cetacean abundances were assessed by shipboard visual surveys off continental Portugal. Plastic litter (other than fishing gear) was the most abundant category, corresponding to 56.53% of the total recorded DDFC. Areas of DDFC and cetacean potential overlap suggest that cetaceans are generally exposed to DDFC at different risk levels within the study area. The highest concentration areas of DDFC and cetaceans did not overlap, whereas lower DDFC concentration areas (70% kernel probability contour) overlapped with 45% of the distribution area obtained for cetaceans. Future marine litter management measures (prevention or mitigation) should be focused on the predicted high DDFC-cetacean interaction risk area in the central region of the study. DDFC are representative of the overall floating litter distribution and future floating litter assessments could be based on DDFC categories alone. Highlights: Floating marine DDFC were analysed in relation to cetacean abundances off Portugal. Cetaceans are exposed to DDFC at different risk levels within the study area. The highest concentration areas of DDFC and cetaceans did not overlap. DDFC-cetacean interaction is more probable in the centre of the study area.