Assessment of beach litter, including Abandoned, Lost, or Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG), along the coast of Tamil Nadu, India: Magnitude, sources, composition, pollution status, and management strategies

Abstract

Coastal environment provides economic, recreational, and aesthetic benefits, serving as a habitat for diverse species. This study assessed beach litter across 52 coastal villages in 13 districts of Tamil Nadu, India, examining its magnitude, sources, composition, and pollution status. The average litter density was 1.14 items/m² (0.05 kg/m²), with significant site variation. Abandoned, Lost, or Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) constituted 47.46% of the litter, plastics 39.64 %, and non-plastic items 12.9 %. Pudukottai district showed the highest concentration, with 2.68 items/m² and 0.20 kg/m². ALDFG magnitude was estimated at 4554 tons per annum, based on a FAO surveys and Bootstrap method. Polyethylene identified as the dominant polymer through FTIR analysis, highlighting challenges in waste management. Management strategies for ALDFG include enforcing regulations, promoting sustainable gear designs, implementing Extended Producer Responsibility policies, and enhancing waste reception facilities. Industry inventions to reduce packaging waste by adopting eco-friendly alternatives and zero plastic production are crucial. While clean-up measures are necessary, prevention measures, industry collaboration, and waste disposal facilities remain vital for long term improvements. Pollution indices such as Clean Coast Index reveal a dire situation: 31 % of beaches are dirty and 46 % extremely dirty and 62 % of the study area is categorised as extremely dirty by the Clean Environment Index. The Plastic Abundance Index shows high plastic waste on 39 % of beaches and the Hazardous Litter Index indicates 62 % beaches have widespread hazardous litter. These findings highlight the urgent need for integrated pollution management to restore and protect Tamil Nadu coastal environment.