Litter Impacts - the human cost
Litter not only affects the organisms that live in the sea. but everyone of us. Litter can be a health hazard. offputting to tourists. and cause fouling of fishing gear and boat propellers. It also costs UK taxpayers and beach managers many millions of pounds to clear-up and dispose of annually.
Clean-up Costs
Local authorities (and ultimately tax payers) bear the financial burden of cleaning beach litter. Local authorities. industry and coastal communities spend approximately £14 million a year to clean up beach litter in England and Wales alone (Environment Agency. 2004). In a survey of 56 local authorities in the UK in 2000. the annual expenditure on beach cleaning ranged from £15/km in West Dumbartonshire to £50.000/km in Wyre and the total was £2.197.138 (KIMO. 2000). Clean-ups are only a short term reactive measure to reduce the amount of litter on the shore.
Tourism
Nobody wants to visit a dirty beach! Annually the UK and maritime leisure industry is worth up to £11 billion. Recreation and tourism are particularly affected by the presence of sewage related debris (SRD) which suggests that surrounding waters may be contaminated by sewage. When people are aware of SRD (and broken glass etc). they may look elsewhere. This can have serious implications for a coastal community that depends on tourism.
Harbour authorities also have to pay to keep navigation channels free of litter - a survey of 42 harbour authorities reported that £26.100 is spent per year in some ports to clear fouled propellers and remove debris from the water (KIMO. 2000). In addition. millions of pounds of insurance claims are made every year as a direct result of damage caused by floating litter.
Fishing
The fishing industry suffers lost earnings due to contamination of catches by litter. damage to fishing gear. and time and effort spent sorting debris from the catch. A survey of fishermen in Shetland found that 92% had caught debris in their nets. 69% have had their catch contaminated and 92% had snagged their nets on debris on the seabed. Commercial fishing interests can also be affected when fisheries resources are depleted by 'ghost fishing' where lost or abandoned nets and traps continue to capture target and non-target species. These nets can last for many years due to the persistent nature of plastic which most nets are now made of. Some estimates put the cost of marine litter to the fishing industry at over £23 million a year (Environment Agency. 2002).
Fouled propellers. and pierced hulls can also endanger human life if a vessel cannot return to port. or cannot steer to avoid collision.
Health
Human health can also be affected by marine litter. particularly hazardous sharp items. During Beachwatch 2007. 144 syringes and 11.922 glass pieces were found on UK beaches.
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