Abstract
Anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) is considered a global threat to the marine environment. Mortality from ingestion or entanglement in AMD is widely reported from marine animals and has harmful impacts on seagrass and corals. The distribution of AMD plays a vital role in its interaction with marine organisms. However, there is little information on AMD distribution in the Philippines – a country ranked as the third most significant contributor of AMD in the ocean. During the monitoring of dugong (Dugong dugon) feeding trails in Mati City, Davao Oriental, Philippines, AMD was recorded at one of the sites surveyed. Plastic debris was the most dominant in number and weight of total AMD collected. Here we present the first quantification, characterization, and distribution of AMD in a shallow subtidal area in Mati City, Philippines. More studies are needed to assess the impacts of AMD on the marine environment and organisms, particularly within the Philippines.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 597-600 |
Journal | Philippine Journal of Science |
Volume | 147 |
Issue number | 4 |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2018 |
Keywords
- AMD
- Marine debris
- Mayo Bay
- Philippines
- Solid waste management