Linkages Between Land-Based Sources of Pollution and Marine Debris

Abstract

While acknowledging that marine pollution arises from the actions of man, research indicates that this pollution cannot be attributed solely to man’s activities performed directly in the oceans. This paper identifies the primary land-based sources of marine pollution and discusses the main coastal rural and upland activities that affect the discharges of plastic waste and other floatable debris into the marine environment. Particular attention is given to the coastal zones within semien- closed areas such as the Wider Caribbean that are increasingly showing signs of pollution. The paper concludes with some ideas con-cerning a framework to address control and reduction of these sources.