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Abstract: “Beach surveys of persistent litter were carried out on Sable Island, Canada, between 31 May 1984 and 10 September 1986, with supplementary observations to early 1991. Persistent litter found on Sable beaches comes from the ocean, and does not originate on the island itself. Deposition rates were fairly consistent from year to year, site to site, with some seasonal variation. A total of 11 183 persistent litter items were collected and sorted, representing 219 items/km/month. Ninety-two per cent of this total was plastic material. Types of litter found include tampon dispensers, polystyrene cups and packing materials, plastic containers for food, oil and cleansers, polyethylene bags and sheet, liquor and soft drink bottles, fluorescent tubes and incandescent bulbs, plastic strapping, polypropylene rope, and large amounts of fishing equipment. These items are generated by various marine activities, particularly the fishing industry. Entanglement of two species of seal and three species of seabird, and ingestion of plastic and latex by leatherback turtles, was observed. While litter in Scotian Shelf waters presents hazards to all marine animals, it does not appear to have a serious impact on seal populations at this time.” |