New Study Investigates Spatial Risk Exposure of Floating Marine Litter to Cetaceans and Sea Turtles
Marine debris has become a constant threat to marine species, with ingestion or entanglement being among the main threath for cetaceans and sea turtles. Understanding promptly where and when this threat is most severe is essential for identifying priorities and focusing conservation and mitigation efforts.
A newly published article coordinated by ISPRA, "Potential Risk of Floating Marine Litter to Cetaceans and Sea Turtles: A Review of Spatial Risk Exposure Assessments" highlights the severe threat that marine litter poses to these species indicators of ocean health. Despite the well- documented risks, the integration of these assessments into marine management strategies remains incomplete. Understanding where and when cetaceans and sea turtles are most exposed
to marine debris is critical for advancing conservation efforts and reducing potential harm. The review contextualized the concept of risk and analyzed 415 studies from 2011 to 2022.
However, only 23 specifically addressed Risk Exposure Assessments (REA) for cetaceans and sea turtles, with 57% of these studies focusing on the Western Mediterranean, revealing significant geographic gaps. Based on the literature, the study synthesized areas and seasons of higher exposure risk to floating litter in the Mediterranean.
The research highlights substantial variability in REA methods and emphasizes the need for standardized protocols to fill gaps in data availability, geographic coverage, and species selection.
The authors recommend a spatial-contextual approach to enhance long-term monitoring, especially in under-surveyed regions, to support more effective mitigation strategies.
The study, coordinated by ISPRA, was published in the prestigious journal Oceanography and Marine Biology. Arcangeli A., Gregorietti M., Pasanisi E., Santini E., Campana I., and Sarà G. (2024) Potential Risk of Floating Marine Litter to Cetaceans and Sea Turtles: A Review of Spatial Risk Exposure Assessments. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 2024, 62,
376-403
