Linking social drivers of marine debris with actual marine debris on beaches

The drivers (social) and pressures (physical) of marine debris have typically been examined separately. We redress this by using social and beach surveys at nine Tasmanian beaches, across three coastlines and within three categories of urbanisation, to examine whether people acknowledge that their actions contribute to the issue of marine debris, and whether these social drivers are reflected in the amount of marine debris detected on beaches. A large proportion (75%) of survey participants do not litter at beaches; with age, gender, income and residency influencing littering behaviour. Thus, participants recognise that littering at beaches is a problem. This social trend was reflected in the small amounts of debris that were detected. Furthermore, the amount of debris was not statistically influenced by the degree of beach urbanisation, the coastline sampled, or the proximity to beach access points. By linking social and physical aspects of this issue, management outcomes can be improved.     

Fluoride in marine animals

Fluoride in a greatly diluted form is part of the effluent from an aluminium smelter on the Northumberland coast in north-east England. Fluoride is concentrated in the skelton of birds, fish and invertebrates and to a smaller extent in the skin of fish. All concentrations found both in the seawater and in local animals are within the normal range and it is unlikely that the additions from the smelter materially affect the situation. Since fluoride concentrates in inedible tissues there appears to be little health risk from this source in seafood.