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Preliminary results of seafloor monitoring of marine litter in the Natura 2000 sites (Vis and Pakleni islands, Croatia)

This research has been carried out within the framework of project ML-REPAIR sup-ported by Interreg Italy –Croatia Standard+ programme that has as overall objective to prevent and reduce the input and dispersion of marine litter (ML) in the Adriatic Sea. Part of activities are related to seafloor monitoring of ML of the chosen Natura 2000 sites, suspected to be significantly loaded with ML due to touristic activities, maritime transport, coastal outputs and transboundary litter. Pilot-actions were carried out in Natura 2000 sites of Island of Vis (HR3000469 ; HR3000096) and Pakleni islands (HR3000095). The data were collected by SCUBA diving along a linear transect 25x4 m, four transects at each location, a total of 16 locations. In the end, 1259 litter items weighing 380 kg were collected. A significant difference in the type of litter among the investigated areas was found. At Pakleni Islands dominated category was glass/ceramics (63% of total number, 82% of total weight), while at Island of Vis artificial polymer materials (plastics) domi-nated (72% of total number, 42% of total weight). Those differences indicate possible differences in the source of contamination. Glass/ceramics is likely to be local input while plastics due to its long-lasting floating capability can be brought with currents, waves, and wind away from the source. Accordingly, the amount of litter per seafloor unit area varies considerably depending on the exposure to currents and prevailing wind (jugo) and also depending on the pressure of nautical tourism.

seafloor marine litter, monitoring, Natura 2000, Croatia

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