Reducing plastic contamination of the marine environment under MARPOL Annex V: A model for recreational harbors and ports

Plastics in the marine environment are a major problem to marine organisms. Ubiquitously present in all marine environments, even those distant from human settlements, and persistent for hundreds of years, plastic marine debris causes death to organisms by entanglement or ingestion.;A case study was conducted during Summer, 1990, at the Nantucket Boat Basin, Massachusetts. The purpose of the study was to (1) determine the types and quantities of wastes generated by recreational boaters, particularly plastics and garbage regulated by MARPOL Annex V, (2) develop a model to assist recreational boating facilities to comply with the law and (3) reduce the impact of plastic contamination on the marine environment.;An international law which came into force in December, 1988, MARPOL Annex V prohibits the disposal of plastics into the sea and stipulates ocean zones where garbage and other wastes may be disposed.;Three garbage sorts were conducted at the Boat Basin, one each for pre-, peak and postseasons. Wastes from recreational boaters were quantified by both weight and volume and characterized into six categories: (1) paper, (2) garbage, (3) glass, (4) plastics, (5) metals, and (6) miscellaneous.;A per capita rate of waste generation by recreational boaters was determined, which will enable recreational harbors and ports to estimate the waste management capacity necessary to meet the requirements of Annex V. In addition to determining the wastestream from recreational boaters, boaters were surveyed to collect data about pertinent topics including awareness of MARPOL, waste types generated aboard vessels, waste management methods, and how marinas could assist boaters in meeting their waste management needs.;As a result of the Boat Basin study, a planning model was developed to assist other recreational harbors and ports to meet the requirements of MARPOL Annex V. Major elements of the model include (1) information Transfer, (2) Waste Management Methods, and (3) the Role of Related Factors such as marina type, and waste characterization and quantification.;The model provides a readily adoptable system by which recreational marinas may environmentally and economically comply with MARPOL Annex V, and will reduce the amount of plastic contamination generated and deposited in the marine environment.