Coastal Litter
Onshore
Coastal litter comes from people carelessly leaving their rubbish behind after spending time at the beach, or it is washed out of stormwater drains. Typical pieces of rubbish you may find along the sandy shores of Adelaide or among seagrass meadows in coastal waters include:
- plastic bait bags
- cigarette butts
- empty drink containers
- chip packets
- polystyrene cups.
Offshore
Offshore litter comes from shipping and port operations which create a variety of environmental impacts including increased sediment, pollution by oil, litter, anti-fouling paint and drilling. Recreational and commercial fishers also contribute to the plastic bait bags, fishing line and nylon rope seen washed up along our shore or entangled in our marine animals or habitats.
How it impacts the coastal environment
Not only is beach litter ugly to look at, it also affects marine animals. Plastics which generally make up about 60 percent of rubbish are the worst offenders. Every year an estimated 100 000 marine mammals, turtles, and sea birds are killed by plastic litter around the world . Fishing line, netting, rope, bait bags and packaging bands also trap and strangle animals. Large marine animals such as seals and dolphins can starve to death when muzzled by plastic litter. Sharp pieces of plastic and glass that get washed ashore can also injure people.
Do you know how long it takes for certain litter items to decompose in the ocean?
- apple core - 8 weeks
- polystyrene cup - 50 years
- cigarette butt -100 years
- plastic six-pack ring holders - 400 years
- plastic bottle - 450 years