Marine Debris on New Zealand Beaches - Baseline Data to Evaluate Regional Variances

Terrestrial sources of marine debris on beaches are substantial, increasing, and primarily a result mismanaged waste land. The scale, source, composition beached in New Zealand was determined by surveying 41 beaches, with triplicate belt transects, across the North South Islands. Results demonstrated significant spatial variance, Island showing significantly higher mean density than more populated count as well weight. majority all anthropogenic detected plastic arrived through water. Explanations for regional variances presence difficult to ascertain certainty but could not be explained population proximity. These findings contribute understudied field research Southern Hemisphere provide starting point evidence-based mitigation. Recommended changes future monitoring programs made. This first national baseline study serves reference follow-up studies, including at other locations.