Research Areas > Marine Debris > Debris on Beaches

Research Area: Debris on Beaches

Beaches along the southern California coast are used extensively for a variety of recreational purposes, attracting almost 150 million visitors annually. Recreational uses such as boating, swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking generate debris along the shoreline including food bags and wrappers, toys, and fishing lures. In addition, southern California has the highest coastal population density of any area in the country, providing an additional source of debris via urban runoff and maritime disposal. Debris is one of the most highly visible expressions of human impact on the marine environment.

SCCWRP Research

Most studies of beach debris are conducted as part of beach cleanup efforts. In the late nineties, SCCWRP performed a pioneering study to more comprehensively quantify and characterize marine debris on southern California beaches. More recent follow-up studies were initiated in 2009 so as to inform management and regulatory approaches for addressing the sources of beach debris. These may include both point and nonpoint sources of debris like preproduction plastic pellets. SCCWRP and other collaborators work to understand and describe trends for not only larger trash, but for these smaller plastics as well. Though unseen, they may present a larger ecological problem; their shape and color often mimic food and may be consumed by wildlife.

SCCWRP’s projects involving beach debris include:

• Beach Debris in 1998
  
• Plastic Pellets on Beaches