Litter management in coastal area : case study : Marsaxlokk Bay

Abstract

The main approach of this study on coastal litter management involved coastal litter monitoring and questionnaire surveys since much of the current understanding on this type of management approach is derived from studies based on these two techniques. The study was conducted on 5 particular sections chosen from Marsaxlokk Harbour. As one of the aims was to detect the presence and magnitude of human pressures on these areas, the survey extended from the 28th of August to the 15th of December to coincide with the bathing peak and off season. A total of 33 sessions were conducted on the 5 chosen sections. The amount of litter found throughout the 33 sessions of litter monitoring in the five chosen sections was the combined result of various factors, since each section had different physical characteristics and ease of accessibility. Type and amount of litter found coincided with the type of activities taking place on the particular areas. Results also showed that in the first four sections all litter items seem to have followed the same trends with time. These started to peak after the first few sessions and crashed after the 13th session as at this time beach users had almost completely stopped visiting the areas studied and the first heavy rain and strong South Westerly winds eliminated most of the remaining litter. On the other hand, section 5 did not follow this same pattern, since this was not affected directly by population pressure as very few people use the beach, although it was also affected by the first rains and South Westerly winds. However, in this part litter started to accumulate rapidly again due to the prevailing North Westerly winds driving any floating litter towards this bay. From the questionnaires it turned out that most beach users liked the beach they were visiting at the time they were approached with the questionnaire. This contrasted with the perception that most beach users had towards the cleanliness of the bay, as for sections 1, 4 and 5 more than 50% of interviewees answered that in their opinion the bay was littered. There seemed to be no particular trends when beach users holding primary, secondary, post secondary and tertiary levels of education were asked to give their opinion towards the type of action that could be taken for reducing litter. Most of them had no specific ideas on what could be done, indicating lack of awareness and knowledge on this issue. Further on, education and environmental awareness, together with law and legislation were identified to be the basis of the zonal management approach.