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Abstract Marine litter represents a transboundary challenge since it originates from manifold sources and travels long distances. Reducing marine litter can involve measures to prevent, mitigate, and remove litter, as well as to change behaviour. So far, the effects of prevention policies have been ineffective, resulting in great amounts of litter at sea and suggesting that removal actions are needed. Between 2014 and 2016, 15 ports in five countries (Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro and Greece) in the Adriatic-Ionian macroregion implemented Fishing for Litter (FFL) pilot projects. The FFL scheme is a clean-up activity that aims to remove marine litter from the seafloor: fishing vessels collect marine litter that is caught in their nets during fishing activities and dispose of it on the quayside. This study investigates the barriers to implementing the FFL scheme in the Adriatic-Ionian macroregion. We prioritized the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of the pilot projects in each country and compared the Adriatic-Ionian experience with that of the FFL initiatives in progress in Scotland since 2005 to achieve a comparative description and benefit from the lessons learnt. The lack of a comprehensive, holistic approach to marine litter management and an ambiguous bureaucracy with unclear definitions of the responsibilities are the main factors hampering the implementation of the FFL scheme in the Adriatic-Ionian macroregion. However, the increasing number of directives and strategies to address marine litter and the extensive public interest and media coverage represent opportunities to institutionalize the scheme as an effective clean-up strategy in the region. Highlights • In the Fishing for Litter scheme fishermen land marine litter caught in the nets. • EU directives, international strategies and conventions promote Fishing for Litter. • The fishery sector can have a significant role in removing marine litter. • A specific overarching legislation to address marine litter is needed. • A Fishing for Litter coordinator at the national or regional level should be appointed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents data on the marine litter occurrence in the stomachs of fish species living in different marine habitats for the Adriatic and NE Ionian Sea macro-region. “Macro-litter” was examined in 614 specimens belonging to 11 species, while micro-litter in 230 specimens belonging to 7 species. The study highlights for the first time the presence of litter in the stomachs of the fish species Citharus linguatula . The occurrence of “macro-litter” in the guts of fish was <3% in both the NE Ionian and N Adriatic but reached 26% in the S Adriatic Sea. Micro-litter occurrence was 40 for the NE Ionian and increased to 87% in the N Adriatic (Slovenian Sea). The ingested “macro” and micro-litter differed among the areas. The marine habitat was found to affect the “macro”-litter ingestion but not the micro-litter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, few studies have investigated the marine litter abundance, composition and distribution on rocky bottoms due to sampling constraints. We surveyed by means of the ROV imaging technique a system of biogenic rocky outcrops classified as a Site of Community Importance in the Adriatic Sea. A mean density of 3.3 (± 1.8) items/100 m 2 was recorded, with a strong dominance of fishing- and aquaculture-related debris, accounting for 69.4% and 18.9% of the total, respectively. The abundance of litter over the rocky bottoms was significantly higher than that on soft substrates, and its spatial distribution proved to be related to hydrographic factors. Litter-fauna interactions were high, with most of the debris (65.7%) entangling or covering benthic organisms, in particular habitat constructors such as the endangered sea sponge Geodia cydonium . Unless appropriate measures are undertaken to address this problem, the abundance of marine litter in the area is likely to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]