Marine debris research and management program

Why is this project important?

Human created marine debris poses a significant threat to the health of our waterways and coastal areas.

Also known as marine litter, marine debris is human-created waste found in our coastal waterways and oceans.

Generally, around 90% of visible marine debris is discarded plastic.

This plastic waste can range from microscopic fragments (microplastics) to larger objects like fishing nets or building materials.

Common debris items include plastic bags, food packaging, cigarette butts and discarded fishing equipment.

Marine debris severely affects marine wildlife and ecological communities. Turtles, whales and fish can ingest it, become entangled or smothered. Marine debris disrupts marine habitats.

Our enjoyment of the marine environment is affected by seeing marine debris and its harm to flora and fauna.

What are we doing?

Our scientists and collaborators are working on a strategic program to tackle the threats of marine debris in NSW.

This program will use a state-wide assessment to prioritise debris, map risks, and suggest future actions.

View the key items of marine debris.

You can read the Marine Debris Threat and Risk Assessment Summary Report here.

A supplementary report and literature review are also available.

• Marine Debris Threat and Risk Assessment supplementary material report
• Marine Debris Threat and Risk Assessment literature review summary

The program's goal is to decrease the dangers posed by marine debris. It focuses on identifying the most harmful debris items, exploring knowledge gaps, and evaluating the effectiveness of various management options.

Various strategic actions will guide ongoing initiatives to reduce the impact of marine debris in NSW. These actions will involve and benefit different levels and stakeholders, including governments, management bodies, and the community.

The aim is to empower stakeholders with information and resources, facilitate decision-making, optimise future interventions, and minimise harm from marine debris in NSW.

You can find out more about this project on the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW) website.

Microplastics monitoring

The Coastal and Marine Science team is undertaking a Broadscale Microplastic Assessment (BMA) of 120 estuaries to provide a baseline dataset for surface water microplastic contamination.

The aim of this study is to:

• highlight estuaries with the highest microplastic contamination levels
• determine what items are contributing the most to microplastic contamination for NSW.

Find out more about this study, including an informative video here.

What have we achieved so far?

Update March to June 2024

Commenced project to research impacts of marine debris on Indigenous cultural values and the stewardship of Sea Country.

The aim is to provide stakeholders with information and resources, support decision-making, improve future interventions and reduce the impact of marine debris in NSW.

Update November 2023 - February 2024

First year of microplastic samples completed and analysed from Sydney Harbour, with significant progress towards gaining insights into risk distribution, sampling seeking to detect variability in temporal microplastic contamination, for example the relationship with rainfall and microplastic density.

Continuation of statewide microplastic assessment in estuaries to fill Marine Debris Threat and Risk Assessment knowledge gaps as part of the program.

For more information about our achievements in the Marine Estate Management Strategy, please visit our report page.

NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW)

NSW Environment Protection Authority