Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

Article A Survey of Marine Coastal Litters around , and Their Impacts

Xuehua Ma 1, Yi Zhou 1, Luyi Yang 1 and Jianfeng Tong 1,2,3,*

1 College of Marine Science, Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; [email protected] (X.M.); [email protected] (Y.Z.); [email protected] (L.Y.) 2 National Engineering Research Center for Oceanic Fisheries, Shanghai 201306, China 3 Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center for Marine Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China * Correspondence: [email protected]

Abstract: Rapid development of the economy increased marine litter around . Social- ecological scenario studies can help to develop strategies to adapt to such change. To investigate the present situation of marine litter pollution, a stratified random sampling (StRS) method was applied to survey the distribution of marine coastal litters around Zhoushan Island. A univariate analysis of variance was conducted to access the amount of litter in different landforms that include mudflats, artificial and rocky beaches. In addition, two questionnaires were designed for local fishermen and tourists to provide social scenarios. The results showed that the distribution of litter in different landforms was significantly different, while the distribution of litter in different sampling points had no significant difference. The StRS survey showed to be a valuable method for giving a relative overview of beach litter around Zhoushan Island with less effort in a future survey. The questionnaire  feedbacks helped to understand the source of marine litter and showed the impact on the local  environment and economy. Based on the social-ecological scenarios, governance recommendations Citation: Ma, X.; Zhou, Y.; Yang, L.; were provided in this paper. Tong, J. A Survey of Marine Coastal Litters around Zhoushan Island, Keywords: marine coastal litter; distribution; composition analysis; Zhoushan Island China and Their Impacts. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/jmse9020183 1. Introduction Academic Editor: Caterina Faggio Marine litter has become a hot issue in the global marine environment and has been listed by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) among the ten most urgent Received: 29 December 2020 environmental problems in recent years [1,2]. Marine litter refers to the artificial solid waste Accepted: 6 February 2021 which was disposed into the ocean, including fishing nets, buoys, plastic bags, plastic Published: 10 February 2021 bottles (cans), and various production and household litter [2]. More than 90% of marine litter is plastic litter [3]. There are two major sources of marine litter. The first source is Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in land-based, i.e., litter is carried into the ocean through rivers and sewage outlets, or it is published maps and institutional affil- generated by coastal human activities. The second major source of marine litter is the litter iations. generated by various marine activities (e.g., mariculture, fishery, marine shipping, and marine tourism) that directly discard the litter into the sea [3–5]. One study showed that 192 coastal countries and regions in the world discharged from 480 × 104 to 1270 × 104 t of plastic waste into the ocean every year [6]. Of that, 64 × 104 t of dilapidated fishing nets and fishing implements were discarded into the ocean. Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Marine litter has and will have a profound influence on the marine environment and Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article ecosystem. The accumulation of marine litter will damage the marine landscape and affect distributed under the terms and the marine tourism economy [7]. At the same time, plastic waste can absorb environmental conditions of the Creative Commons pollutants and may cause local water pollution and damage to the chemical integrity of the Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// water environment. Among marine litter, discarded fishing nets or plastic ropes are the creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ most harmful. They can wind up marine life and lead to the death of animals, and threaten 4.0/). the integrity of the marine ecosystem [8–11]. In addition, fishing nets and plastic ropes

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9020183 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jmse J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183 2 of 12

threaten the integrity of the marine ecosystem [8–11]. In addition, fishing nets and plastic ropes can wind up the ship’s power system and cause a great danger to ship safety [12]. Finally, the decomposition of marine plastic litter will create plastic fragments and micro- plastic particles that may have a toxic effect on the health of marine organisms [13,14]. Zhoushan Island is the main island of the Zhoushan archipelago located in the coastal J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183 area of eastern province of China. In recent years, the government2 of 12 acknowledged the importance of the development and utilization of marine resources in this area [15]. Zhoushan is focused on cultivating and developing marine industry as the center of ma- can wind up the ship’s power system and cause a great danger to ship safety [12]. Finally, therine decomposition economy development of marine plastic with litter the will Zhoushan create plastic Archipelago fragments and New microplastic Area designated as a particlesstate-level that mayeconomic have a toxicreform effect pioneer on the healthzone ofin marinethe national organisms strategy [13,14]. [15,16]. The rapid devel- opmentZhoushan of the Island economy is the main caused island ofthe the increase Zhoushan in archipelago household located and in industrial the coastal waste that de- areagrades of eastern the Zhejiangenvironment. province Policymakers of China. In recent need years, to the understand government acknowledged how societies can develop thestrategies importance to of adapt the development and continue and utilization to develop of marine in such resources change. in this Social area-ecological [15]. scenario Zhoushan is focused on cultivating and developing marine industry as the center of marine economystudies developmentcan inspire withand thefacilitate Zhoushan adaptive Archipelago governance New Area through designated dialogues as a state- with decision- levelmakers economic and reformother pioneerstakeholders zone in the[17]. national Where strategy the scenarios [15,16]. The should rapid development be grounded in data con- ofcerning the economy both causedthe natural the increase and inthe household social sciences and industrial [17]. wasteAs Zhoushan that degrades Island the is surrounded environment.by sea at the Policymakers southern flank need toof understandthe how River societies estuary, can develop the beaches strategies consist to of different adapt and continue to develop in such change. Social-ecological scenario studies can inspirelandforms and facilitate with complex adaptive governancelitter pollution. through Accordingly, dialogues with to decision-makers implement waste and management othermore stakeholders effectively, [17 it]. is Where imperative the scenarios to understand should be grounded the distribution in data concerning and so bothurce of beach litter. the naturalTherefore, and the the social main sciences purpose [17]. As of Zhoushan this study Island is to is reveal surrounded the distribution by sea at the of beach litter southernin different flank of landforms the Yangtze Riversuch estuary, as mudflats, the beaches rocky consist beaches, of different and landforms artificial with beaches around complexZhoushan litter Island, pollution. as Accordingly, well as the to source implement and waste type management of litter. A moredditionally, effectively, this it study wants is imperative to understand the distribution and source of beach litter. to understandTherefore, the the main impact purpose of ofmarine this study litter is toon reveal local the people distribution’s life ofand beach the litter public’s awareness inof different marine landformsenvironmental such as protection mudflats, rocky to provide beaches, andthe artificialobtained beaches knowledge around and results for Zhoushanthe localIsland, policymakers as well as theand source public. and type of litter. Additionally, this study wants to understand the impact of marine litter on local people’s life and the public’s awareness of marine environmental protection to provide the obtained knowledge and results for the 2. Materials and Methods local policymakers and public. 2.1. Study Sites 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. StudyA survey Sites on marine litter was conducted in Zhoushan Island in July 2019. The re- searchA survey mainly on marine focused litter on was the conducted Putuo inDistrict. Zhoushan According Island in July to 2019. the Thebeach research types of Zhoushan mainlyIsland, focused the studyon thePutuo sites . were According divided to into the beach three types types: of Zhoushan mudflats Island,, rocky the and artificial studybeaches. sites wereFor each divided type, into threetwo representative types: mudflats, rocky areas and were artificial randomly beaches. selected For each before the sur- type,vey twowas representative conducted: mudflat(a) areas were randomly at Shenjiamen selected beforewharf the and survey mudflat(b) was conducted: at Haibin park; Rocky mudflat(a) at Shenjiamen wharf and mudflat(b) at Haibin park; Rocky beach(a) in the lotus sculpturebeach(a) park in theand rocky lotus beach(b) sculpture in Haibin park park; and and rocky Artificial beach(b) beach(a) in H inaibin lotus ocean park; and Artificial sculpturebeach(a) park in lotus and artificial ocean sculpture beach(b) at park Dongsha and beach artificial (Figure beach(b)1). Where at theDongsha artificial beach (Figure 1). beachesWhere are the regularly artificial supervised beaches and are cleaned regularly by local supervised managers. and cleaned by local managers.

FigureFigure 1. 1.Study Study sites s ofites Zhoushan of Zhoushan Island. Island.

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J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183 3 of 12

2.2. Survey Design The method of stratified random sampling (StRS) was carried out in the field survey 2.2. Survey Design on Zhoushan Island. StRS is widely used in marine litter surveys [18–21]. UNEP also rec- The method of stratified random sampling (StRS) was carried out in the field survey ommended that the location of sampling sites for beach litter assessment should be strat- on Zhoushan Island. StRS is widely used in marine litter surveys [18–21]. UNEP also recommendedified [22]. A well that-designed the location StRS of samplingscheme can sites achieve for beach relatively litter assessment precise and should accurate be esti- stratifiedmates with [22 ].reduced A well-designed sample size StRS compared scheme can to achieveother sampling relatively methods precise and [23]. accurate Considering estimatesthat different with reducedlandforms sample may size have compared different to other litter, sampling and for methods long-te [rm23]. monitoring Considering survey thatpurposes, different we landforms divided the may landforms have different into litter,mudflats, and forartificial long-term beaches, monitoring and rocky survey beaches. purposes,Two areas we (a dividedand b) were the landforms randomly into selected mudflats, and artificialinspected beaches, on each and of rockythe three beaches. landforms. TwoFurthermore, areas (a and according b) were randomly to the survey selected site and conditions, inspected fiv one each quadrats of the three(5 m landforms.× 4 m) were also Furthermore,randomly selected according from to theeach survey area siteto investigate conditions, fivethe quadratsdistribution (5 m ×of4 beach m) were litter also in each randomlylandform. selected All litter from was each collected area to and investigate counted thein each distribution quadrat. of beach litter in each landform. All litter was collected and counted in each quadrat. The structure of the sampling strategy is shown in Figure 2. As described above, for The structure of the sampling strategy is shown in Figure2. As described above, long-term monitoring survey purpose, sampling efforts should be rationally allocated for long-term monitoring survey purpose, sampling efforts should be rationally allocated among strata strata to to get get representative representative and accurateand accurate survey survey data. However, data. However, since this issince the firstthis is the timefirst oftime the of surveys, the surveys, we equally we equally allocated allocated the sampling the sampling efforts among efforts different among landforms. different land- Resultsforms. Results from this from survey this are survey used as are basic used data as forbasic future data survey for future design. survey design.

Figure 2. Structure of the sampling strategy. Figure 2. Structure of the sampling strategy. Furthermore, a questionnaire survey was conducted for local residents and tourists to understandFurthermore, their awareness a questionnaire of marine littersurvey and was the difficultyconducted of cleaningfor local it residents up, as well and as to tourists accessto understand the impact their of litter awa onreness the local of marine environment litter and and the economy. difficulty A questionnaire of cleaning surveyit up, as well foras to tourists access was the conducted impact of in litter tourist on spots, the local while environment a questionnaire and survey economy. for residents A questionnaire was conductedsurvey for in tourists fishing portswas conducted targeting local in tourist fishermen. spots, The while questionnaires a questionnaire were supplied survey in for resi- thedents Supplementary was conducted Materials in fishing (Questionnaire ports targeting S1, Questionnaire local fishermen. S2). The questionnaires were 2.3.supplied Data Analysis in the Supplementary Materials (Questionnaire S1, Questionnaire S2). After litter collection, the classification statistics and density analysis were performed. 2.3. Data Analysis Also, the univariate analysis of variance was applied to study whether there were significant differencesAfter in litter the amount collection, of litter the in classification different landforms. statistics and density analysis were per- formed.The statisticalAlso, the methodunivariate of the analysis Northwest of variance Pacific Actionwas applied Plan (NOWPAP) to study whether was used there to were classifysignificant the litterdifferences and analyze in the the amount litter types of litter in different in different landforms landforms. and regions [24]. Litter sourcesThe were statistical classified method into five of the categories: Northwest human Pacific coastal Action activities, Plan (NOWPAP) shipping/fishing was used to activities,classify the smoking litter and supplies, analyze medical/hygiene the litter types supplies,in different and landforms other waste. and Furthermore, regions [24]. Litter tosources explore were the materialclassified types into offive litter categories: from human human activities, coastal they activities, were further shipping/fishing divided ac- into nine categories: plastic, glass, rubber, paper, fabric, metal, polystyrene foam, wood, tivities, smoking supplies, medical/hygiene supplies, and other waste. Furthermore, to and others. Where, plastic litter includes all kinds of plastic bags, plastic bottles, bottle caps,explore lunch the boxes,material etc. types Fabric of litter litter includes from human old clothes, activities, towels, they fishing were nets, further etc. divided Metal into litternine includescategories: electrical plastic, wiring, glass, cans, rubber, paint paper, buckets, fabric, etc. Moremetal, example polystyrene items offoam, different wood, and materialsothers. Where, are given plastic in Table litter1. includes all kinds of plastic bags, plastic bottles, bottle caps, lunchBy boxes, counting etc. the Fabric types, quantities,litter includes or weight oldof clothes, marine litter,towels, quantity fishing density nets, (pieces/m etc. Metal2) litter orincludes mass density electrical (kg/m wiring,2) of marine cans, paint litter in buckets, the sea areaetc. canMore be example obtained. items In this of study, different only mate- quantityrials are densitygiven in was Table analyzed. 1. For this purpose, Equation (1) for marine debris monitoring and evaluation (trial implementation) can be implemented: Table 1. Example items of different materials. n Dˆ = (1) Materials L × W Items plastic plastic bags, plastic bottles, bottle caps, lunch boxes, etc. glass glass fragments, glass bottles, etc.

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where Dˆ represents the density of marine litter in pieces/m2; n is the sum of the mass or quantity of litter fragments; W is the effective width (m) of the surveyed section and L is the length (m) of surveyed section.

Table 1. Example items of different materials.

Materials Items plastic plastic bags, plastic bottles, bottle caps, lunch boxes, etc. glass glass fragments, glass bottles, etc. rubber tires, rubber gloves, rubber shoes, etc. paper newspaper, book, disposable paper cup, carton, etc. fabric old clothes, towels, fishing nets, etc. metal electrical wiring, cans, paint buckets, etc. polystyrene foam plastic foam board, etc. wood desks, chairs, wood waste, etc. others cigarette ends, sponge, ceramic bowl, etc.

The advantage of using StRS was to ensure that estimates can be made with equal accuracy in different parts of the region and that comparisons of sub-regions can be made with equal statistical power. However, it was difficult to understand whether litter distri- bution was related to the landform. Accordingly, the univariate variance analysis method was used to analyze whether there was a significant difference in the litter distribution in each landform type. Questionnaire feedbacks were analyzed to understand the impact of beach litter on local people’s life and the public’s awareness of marine environmental protection. Two versions of questionnaires were designed for local fishermen and tourists. An on-site paper anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted with those who met the initial requirements, and then the collected information was counted and classified.

3. Results and Discussion 3.1. Sample Statistics The number of collected samples in each quadrat from each landform is presented in Table2.

Table 2. Number of samples collected in each quadrat from each landform.

Rocky Rocky Artificial Artificial Mudflat(a) Mudflat(b) Beach(a) Beach(b) Beach(a) Beach(b) /Pieces /Pieces /Pieces /Pieces /Pieces /Pieces Quadrat1 25 19 6 9 1 4 Quadrat2 14 22 3 17 2 0 Quadrat3 10 6 7 30 5 0 Quadrat4 13 11 15 11 0 2 Quadrat5 13 9 10 23 1 0 Sum 75 67 41 90 9 6

As litter was not weighed in this survey. Formula (1) was used to calculate the quantity density of litter in each district. The litter density of each sampled quadrat from the three types of landforms and the average density with sample standard deviation are presented in Table3. Based on the total amount and quantity density of litter in each district, the double-coordinate Figure3 was created. The red line represents the maximum density of debris in each landform, while the pink line represents the minimum density of debris. It can be noticed that mudflats had the largest amount of litter, yet rocky beaches had the largest density. Artificial beaches had both the least amount of debris and the least density. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183 5 of 12

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183 largest density. Artificial beaches had both the least amount of debris and the least den-5 of 12 sity.

Table 3. Quantity density of litter in each district. Table 3. Quantity density of litter in each district. Mudflats Rocky Beaches Artificial Beaches

Pieces/mMudflats2 Pieces/mRocky2 Beaches Pieces/mArtificial2 Beaches Pieces/m2 Pieces/m2 Pieces/m2 Quadrat 1 2.2 2.75 0.25 QuadratQuadrat 2 11.8 2.21 2.750.1 0.25 Quadrat 2 1.8 1 0.1 QuadratQuadrat 3 30.8 0.81.85 1.850.25 0.25 QuadratQuadrat 4 41.2 1.21.3 1.30.1 0.1 QuadratQuadrat 5 51.1 1.11.65 1.650.05 0.05 MeaMeann ± S±D SD1.42 ± 0.57 1.42 ± 0.571.71 ± 0.67 1.71 ± 0.670.15 ± 0 0.15.09 ± 0.09

Figure 3. Total number and density of litter in different landforms. Figure 3. Total number and density of litter in different landforms.

3.2.3.2. Classification Classification of Sampled of Sampled Litters Litters TableTable 4 shows4 shows the thesource source classification classification statistics statistics of marine of marine litter from litter the from survey the surveysam- plessamples following following NOWPAP NOWPAP Guidelines Guidelines [24]. [24].

Table 4. Sources classification of marine litter from the survey samples.

Mudflat(a) Mudflat(b) Rocky Beach(a) Rocky Beach (b) Artificial Beach(a) Artificial Beach(b) /Pieces /Pieces /Pieces /Pieces /Pieces /Pieces Human Coastal Activities 33 28 14 45 1 3 Shipping/ 25 30 6 15 2 0 Fishing Activities Smoking Supplies 2 0 0 0 2 2 Medical/ 1 0 0 1 0 0 Hygiene Products Other Wastes 14 9 21 29 4 1 Sum 75 67 41 90 9 6

The composition of litter categories in each area (Figure4) indicated that human coastal activities and fishing activities were the main sources of marine litter. The distribution histogram of litter material types is shown in Figure5 for each landform type. From the figure, it can be noticed that the plastics are dominant on mudflats, yet plastic and metal litter are the majority on the rocky beach (a), while on the rocky beach (b) plastics and fabric have similar significance. Finally, artificial beaches dominate other types of garbage.

J.J. Mar. Mar. Sci. Sci. Eng. Eng. 2021 2021, ,9 9, ,183 183 66 of of 12 12

TableTable 4. 4. Sources Sources classification classification of of marine marine litter litter from from the the survey survey sam samples.ples.

Mud-Mud- Mud-Mud- RockyRocky RockyRocky ArtificialArtificial ArtificialArtificial flat(a)flat(a) flat(b)flat(b) Beach(a)Beach(a) BeachBeach (b) (b) Beach(a)Beach(a) Beach(b)Beach(b) /Pieces/Pieces /Pieces/Pieces /Pieces/Pieces /Pieces/Pieces /Pieces/Pieces /Pieces/Pieces HumanHuman Coastal Coastal 3333 2828 1414 4545 11 33 ActivitiesActivities Shipping/Shipping/ 2525 3030 66 1515 22 00 FishingFishing Activities Activities SmokingSmoking Supplies Supplies 22 00 00 00 22 22 Medical/Medical/ 11 00 00 11 00 00 HygieneHygiene Products Products OtherOther Wastes Wastes 1414 99 2121 2929 44 11 SumSum 7575 6767 4141 9090 99 66

TheThe composition composition of of litter litter categories categories in in each each area area (Figure (Figure 4) 4) indicated indicated that that human human coastalcoastal activitiesactivities andand fishingfishing activitiesactivities werewere thethe mainmain sourcessources ofof marinemarine litter.litter. TheThe distri-distri- butionbution histogram histogram of of litter litter material material types types is is shown shown in in Figure Figure 5 5 for for each each landform landform type. type. From From thethe figure,figure, itit cancan bebe noticednoticed thatthat thethe plasticsplastics areare dominantdominant onon mudflats,mudflats, yetyet plasticplastic andand metalmetal litterlitter areare thethe majoritymajority onon thethe rockyrocky beachbeach (a),(a), whwhileile onon thethe rockyrocky beachbeach (b)(b) plasticsplastics J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183 andand fabricfabric havehave similarsimilar significance.significance. Finally,Finally, artificialartificial beachesbeaches dominatedominate6 of 12 otherother typestypes ofof garbage.garbage.

FigureFigure 4. 4. Proportion4. Proportion Proportion chart chart chart of marine of of mar mar litterineine sources litter litter fromsources sources the survey from from samples.the the survey survey samples. samples.

FigureFigure 5. 5. Classification5. Classification Classification results results results by types by by of types types litter fromof of litter litter thesurvey from from the samples.the survey survey samples. samples. 3.3. Relationship Between Litter and Landform Figures6 and7 show the comparison intervals for the mean litter density for different landforms and different sampling points. In the figures, the red bars represent the median value, the black bars represent the maximum and minimum value of the sample, the blue bars represent the upper and lower quartile of the sample, while the range between upper and lower conner points represents a 95% confidence interval of the litter density distribution. Figure6 shows significant differences in the distribution of litter in different landforms (p = 0.0006), while Figure7 shows no significant differences in the distribution of litter in different sampling points (p = 0.9854). J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183 7 of 12

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183 7 of 12

3.3. Relationship Between Litter and Landform 3.3. RelationshipFigures 6 and Between 7 show Litter the and comparison Landform intervals for the mean litter density for different landformsFigures and 6 and different 7 show sampling the comparison points. intervals In the figures, for the themean red litter bars density represent for differentthe median value,landforms the blackand different bars represent sampling the points. maximum In the and figures, minimum the red value bars represent of the sample, the median the blue barsvalue, represent the black the bars upper represent and lower the maximum quartile ofand the minimum sample, whilevalue theof the range sample, between the blue upper andbars lowerrepresent conner the upperpoints and represents lower quartile a 95% ofconfidence the sample, interval while the of rangethe lit terbetween density upper distri- bution.and lower Figure conner 6 shows points significant represents differences a 95% confidence in the distribution interval of the of litterlitter indensity different distri- land- bution. Figure 6 shows significant differences in the distribution of litter in different land- J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183 forms (p = 0.0006), while Figure 7 shows no significant differences in the distribution7 of 12 of litterforms in ( pdifferent = 0.0006), sampling while Figure points 7 shows(p = 0.9854). no significant differences in the distribution of litter in different sampling points (p = 0.9854).

FigureFFigureigure 6. 6.Result Result of ofof Univariate UnivariateUnivariate Analysis Analysis Analysis of Varianceof of Variance Variance in different in in different different landforms landforms landforms from thefrom from survey. the the survey. survey.

Figure 7. Result of Univariate Analysis of Variance in different sampling points from the survey. Figure 7. 7.Result Result of of Univariate Univariate Analysis Analysis of Variance of Variance in different in different sampling sampling points from points the from survey. the survey. 3.4.3.4. QuestionnaireQuestionnaire Feedbacks Feedbacks 3.4. Questionnaire Feedbacks TheThe questionnaire questionnaire survey survey was was conducted conducted on 91on tourists91 tourists aged aged 18 to 18 50. to The 50. staticsThe statics of of thethe surveysurveyThe questionnaire feedbacks feedbacks can can besurvey be found found was in thein conducted the Supplementary Supplementary on 91 Materialstourists Materials aged (Feedbacks 18(Feedbacks to 50. S1). The The S1). statics The of majoritythemajority survey ofof tourists feedbackstourists had had can a basica bebasic found understanding understanding in the Supplementary of litterof litter classification classification Materials and handling and(Feedbacks handling and S1). and The agreedmajorityagreed that that of it ittourists is is necessary necessary had toa toperformbasic perform understanding the the beach beach litter litter of classification. litter classification. classification Furthermore, Furthermore, and halfhandling of half of and the visitors were not familiar with the present situation of the marine environment. Finally, agreedthe visitors that wereit is necessary not familiar to performwith the thepresent beach situation litter classification. of the marine Furthermore, environment. half Fi- of more than 70% of visitors obtained information about the present situation of the marine thenally, visitors more werethan 70%not offamiliar visitors with obtained the present information situation about of thethe present marine situation environment. of the Fi- environment through the news. Age and education level are two important factors that nally, more than 70% of visitors obtained information about the present situation of the affect people’s level of knowledge on environmental issues. Older tourists are generally less aware of marine litter than younger tourists. While higher education level people have more awareness on these issues. Older people tend to access their knowledge on marine litter from newspapers and TV, while younger people pay more attention to social media platforms such as Weibo. The questionnaire survey was also conducted on 30 fishermen. The statics of the sur- vey feedbacks can be found in the Supplementary Materials (Feedbacks S2). The majority J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183 8 of 12

marine environment through the news. Age and education level are two important factors that affect people’s level of knowledge on environmental issues. Older tourists are gener- ally less aware of marine litter than younger tourists. While higher education level people have more awareness on these issues. Older people tend to access their knowledge on marine litter from newspapers and TV, while younger people pay more attention to social J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183 media platforms such as Weibo. 8 of 12 The questionnaire survey was also conducted on 30 fishermen. The statics of the sur- vey feedbacks can be found in the Supplementary Materials (Feedbacks S2). The majority of the participants (90%) understood the harmful consequences of marine litter and of the participants (90%) understood the harmful consequences of marine litter and showed showeda strong a willstrong to decrease will to thedecrease behavior the that behavior leads to that the pollution leads to of the the pollution marine environment. of the marine environment.Unfortunately, Unfortunately, there are many there sources are ofmany marine sources litter, of while marine the number litter, while of disposal the number sites of disposalis limited, sites and is severallimited, fishermen and several throw fishermen their litter throw directly their into litter the directly sea. According into the to sea. the Ac- cordingfishermen, to the volunteers fishermen, were volunteers asked by were the government asked by the to cleangovernment up the litter, to clean but thereup the are litter, butonly there a few are litter only salvage a few vesselslitter salvage that can vessels regularly that deal can with regularly the litter. deal The with local the fishermen litter. The localbelieve fishermen that marine believe litter that has marine a great litter impact has on a the great fishing impact output. on the fishing output. ZhoushanZhoushan Island Island has has undergone undergone vi visiblesible changes due toto litterlitter pollution.pollution. Most ofof the surveythe survey participants participants think think that the that litter the littercreated created by residents by residents is the is main the main source source of marine of litter.marine Furthermore, litter. Furthermore, the marine the litter marine is also litter created is alsocreated by tourists, by tourists, fishing fishing activities, activities, aquacul- ture,aquaculture, industry, industry, and sea andfreight sea (Figure freight (Figure 8). 8).

FigureFigure 8. 8.FeedbackFeedback from from tourists tourists and fishermenfishermen on on the the source source of of litter. litter. 3.5. Discussion 3.5. Discussion This study found that plastics, fabric, and metal are the most common types of litter in mudflatsThis study and found rocks (Figurethat plastics,5). These fabric, kinds and of litter metal are are most the likely most to common be found types in fishing of litter inboats mudflats and constructionand rocks (Figure sites. Typhoons,5). These kinds storms, of litte andr other are most inclement likely weatherto be found can in wash fishing boatsup theand plastic construction buried inlandsites. Typhoons, or unburied storms, litter intoand theother sea inclement [25]. Furthermore, weather can there wash is up thea lackplastic of awarenessburied inland about or marine unburied environmental litter into the protection sea [25]. and Furthermore, people in the there shipping is a lack ofindustry awareness dump about their marine litter into environm the sea.ental There protection are other examplesand people of howin the the shipping litter ends industry up dumpon beaches their andlitter in into the sea: the the sea. cargo There ship are was other caught examples in a storm of and how containers the litter fell ends into the up on sea; lighter materials, such as plastic and foam, were carried away by the ocean currents; beaches and in the sea: the cargo ship was caught in a storm and containers fell into the people traveling on holidays and living by the sea throw rubbish away; the trash is carried sea; lighter materials, such as plastic and foam, were carried away by the ocean currents; into the ocean by currents, monsoons, and tides and pushed back onto beaches and rocks. peopleFigure traveling5 shows thaton holidays the amount and of living rubbish by on the the sea artificial throw beach rubbish was away; significantly the trash less is than carried intothat the of ocean the other by twocurrents, types monsoons, of landforms, and which tides isand speculated pushed toback be becauseonto beaches the artificial and rocks. Figurebeaches 5 sho werews regularly that the supervisedamount of and rubbish cleaned. on the artificial beach was significantly less than thatIn this of the study, other a significant two types difference of landforms, in the distributionwhich is speculated of litter in differentto be because landforms the arti- ficialwas beaches noticed. were It can beregularly discussed supervised that the landform and cleaned. can cause that the quantity of litter is not evenly distributed. For example, as the tide rose and fell, one part of the litter stayed on the shore, while the other part drifted with the tide into the sea. As both mudflats were located in harbors and were heavily influenced by human activities, the total amount of litter was the largest among the three types of landform. The sea litter carried by the high tide fell down after the low tide, and it was difficult to flow back to the sea at the next high tide because of the blocking and obstruction of the rocks. Accordingly, this kind of landform J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183 9 of 12

was also the hardest to clean up. Although both of the two artificial beaches were open to the public, they had the lowest amount of litter because they were probably supervised and maintained. Variations in the accumulation of beach litter may also be related to the time of year. Some factors may be weather and ocean conditions like winds and surface currents [26]. Some factors of seasonal human activities, such as recreational boating in the summer season, which may be considered as an important marine-based littering source [27]. As this study was conducted in a short period, we cannot present these variations related to the time of year, but they should be listed in future surveys. From the perspective of litter sources, this paper adopted the NOWPAP method and divided litter sources into human coastal activities, shipping/fishing activities, smoking supplies, medical products, and other wastes. The results showed that human coastal activities produce the vast majority of litter, which means that land-based litter is dominant. Similarly, Gabrielides et al. [28] recognized that litter quantity has a direct relationship with the number of people visiting the beach. It is also similar to the result that litter quantity is closely linked with people’s activity, concentration, and crowding [29]. Alshawafi et al. [30] recognized that tourism is a significant litter source in many parts of the world. The abundance of different types of litter, especially the high quantity of plastic litter, suggested that recreational activities or a land-based origin were the main source [31]. According to the classification of litter types in this study, plastic litter accounts for the largest proportion (46.18%), followed by fabric litter (21.53%). The quantity of plastic litter is similar to the quantity of plastic litter found on beaches of in China [32] and Korean beaches [33]. The proportion of plastic litter varied from 60% to 80% of various Mediterranean and South African beach litter [34] and exceeded 80% on remote [35]. The quantity of fabric litter is equivalent to that counted on the beaches of Liaodong Bay in China [1]. Synthetic fishing gears, ropes, and nets have been observed for several years on the beach [36]. On the contrary, the beach of Province in China accounted for only 1.77% of the fabric litter [37]. Wood is also one of the most abundant litter types and is prevalent in different coastal regions of the world [33,38]. However, in this study, the proportion of wood litter is only 0.02%. From the results of the questionnaire survey, we noticed that the current situation of the Zhoushan area is not optimistic. Accordingly, the government and relevant departments should strengthen management, enact relevant laws and regulations, add ocean disposal delivery and processing site, as well as to increase the number of litter salvage ships to retrieve the litter promptly.

4. Conclusions and Recommendation In the field survey of the main island of Zhoushan island, we investigated the distri- bution and density composition of beach litter on two mudflats, two artificial beaches, and two rocky beaches. An StRS method was used to analyze the amount of marine litter in different landforms and samples. The results showed that the distribution of litter in different landforms was sig- nificantly different, while the distribution of litter in different sampling points was not significantly different. A classification method of NOWPAP was used to classify the sources of litter, and the results showed that most of the litter was generated by human coastal and fishing activities. Three litter types with the largest proportion were plastic, fabric, and metal litter. Since this survey mainly focuses on the coastal litter, it is speculated that the litter may be generated by coastal activities and then drifted to the shore, or it can be caused by human activities on the shore. Taking into consideration the results of the present study, different clean strategies can be applied to different landforms. Furthermore, a strategy should emphasize a systems approach addressing not only cleaning up litter but addressing the source of litter and making progress against the root causes of the problem [39]. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9, 183 10 of 12

The questionnaire results showed that the marine environment in Zhoushan has undergone significant changes in recent years. Additionally, most of the fishermen believed that the reasons behind that could be attributed to the impact of marine litter. In addition, the questionnaire for tourists showed that most tourists have a certain understanding of the marine environment and litter, yet few tourists are not familiar with the current situation of the marine environment. This is a drawback since marine environmental protection needs the participation of all people. To this end, corresponding measures must be taken to effectively prevent and reduce the production of marine litter. Based on the social-ecological scenarios provided in this study, the recommendations are: (1) The awareness of the public and policymakers related to marine litter governance should be improved. At present, most people have a weak awareness of participating in beach litter governance, and the actual institutions for beach litter governance are relatively limited. Therefore, the number of social organizations concerned with marine environmental protection should be increased. Furthermore, the publicity and education activities on the marine environment should be carried out to enhance public awareness of marine environmental protection, which could reduce the pollution caused by marine litter. A good example is a nationwide campaign of voluntary beach clean-ups in Greece: “Clean up the Med”, which can raise public awareness on marine environmental issues and promote a sense of responsibility in protecting marine resources [27]. (2) Relevant laws and regulations should clarify the public’s right to participate in marine environmental protection, empower them with the information and knowledge about the marine environment, enabling them to participate in the decision-making process, and clearly stipulating that the public can get rewards in the process of marine litter management to improve the public’s enthusiasm. It is also important to ensure that the public has timely access to adequate information about the sea and pollution to collect their opinions and feedback on time. (3) A simple and scientific-based method to survey marine litter like our study con- ducted could provide to the public, especially to volunteer organizations, that provided opportunities for public involvement in in coastal management and scientific data gathering.

Supplementary Materials: The following are available online at https://www.mdpi.com/2077-131 2/9/2/183/s1, Questionnaire S1: Questionnaire for Local People, Questionnaire S2: Questionnaire for Tourists, Feedbacks S1: Feedbacks of Questionnaire for Tourists, Feedbacks S2: Feedbacks of Questionnaire for Local People. Author Contributions: Data collection and analysis were performed by X.M., Y.Z. and L.Y. The first draft of the manuscript was written by X.M. and Y.Z.; J.T. supervised the survey, revised the manuscript, and approved it for submission. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Funding: The research was funded by the National Key R&D Program of China (2019YFD0901401). Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable. Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable. Data Availability Statement: Data is contained within the article and supplementary materials. Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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