Search

We demonstrate a prototype multi-metric indicator-based assessment tool (i.e. Marine Litter Assessment Tool - MALT) for mapping and identification of 'problem areas' and 'non-problem areas' regarding the occurrence of marine litter in Europe's seas. The study is based on a European-wide data set consisting of three marine litter indicators: (1) litter at the seafloor, (2) beach litter and (3) floating micro-litter. This publicly available data allowed litter status to be determined in 1,957,081 km 2 (19.1 %) of the total area of Europe's seas (10,243,474 km 2 ). Of the area assessed, 25.8 % (505,030 km 2 ) was found to be 'non-problem areas' whilst 'problem areas' accounted for 74.2 % (1,452,051 km 2 ). This indicates that marine litter is a large-scale problem in Europe's seas., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Ciaran Joseph Murray reports financial support was provided by Aquatic Synthesis Research Centre (Project number 220038). Jesper H. Andersen reports financial support was provided by Aquatic Synthesis Research Centre (Project number 220038). Bert van Bavel reports financial support was provided by EU Horizon 2020 Coordination and support action programme under EUROqCHARM (grant agreement 101003805). Amy Lusher reports financial support was provided by EU Horizon 2020 Coordination and support action programme under EUROqCHARM (grant agreement 101003805)., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)