Macroplastic distribution (Single-use plastics and some Fishing gear) from the northern to the southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast

Abstract

Marine litter (ML) survey was conducted on 10 beaches along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast in summer period 2017. The distribution of most common Single-use plastics (SUPs) and Fishing gear containing plastics was evaluated, with SUPs representing 28.3% and Fishing gear – 3.4% of the total ML, as well as items from Fishing activities being 5.5% of the total ML.Top three of the SUPs were: Cigarette butts and filters – 4852 nos. (24.8% of the total SUPs); Drinks bottles < 0.5l and > 0.5l – 2643 nos. (13.5%) and Drinks cups and lids – 2318 nos. (11.8%). The most abundant Fishing gear items were Nets and pieces of net and Tangled nets/cord – 997 nos. (42.3% of the total Fishing gear). Clear difference in SUPs and some Fishing gear distribution within the investigated beaches was determined. The anthropogenic pressure on the beaches was estimated – mainly from intensive recreational activities, fishing and rivers discharges. The data provided is addressing issues that should be taken into consideration to improve ML management of the country beaches in order to fulfill the requirements of the new EU Directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, adopted in 2019. (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.