First assessment of marine litter in shallow south-east Adriatic sea

Abstract

The typology and quantity of the marine litter was investigated in the shallow coastal area of southeast Adriatic Sea (Montenegro). Surveys were performed during the period 2012-2014 and 47 sites were analysed during underwater visual surveys by SCUBA diving. Litter items were classified in seven categories (plastic, metal, rubber, paper, clothing, glass and others) according to the nature of the material. Plastic litter was dominant (54%) followed by metal items (23%), and the density of marine litter was from 0 to 16.6/1000m(2) with an average of 2.49/1000m(2). As expected, a greater abundance of marine litter was found in the Boka Kotorska Bay and close to urbanised areas.