Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK SEA, ss.151-160, 2020 (SCI-Expanded)
Marine plastics are considered as a major threat to the marine ecosystem and coastal economies. The plastics in the marine environment have direct and indirect negative effects on the economic income derived from the marine environment. Marine plastics also affect fisheries, one of the most important sectors providing food and income at local and international levels. Possible impacts of the marine plastics on the Black Sea fisheries were discussed along with a case study of a seafloor litter. A total of five trawl surveys were carried out the southern Black Sea trawling areas of the Samsun province. 67 litter items weighing 10 kg were collected during the surveys. The most abundant litter items were nylon (61.26%), plastic (21.52%) and, metal (5.38%) in total. Nylon has a considerably high surface-area-to-volume ratio, which results in blocking the codend in the trawl fishery and increases by-catch. The metal and plastic items in the catch can damage both the fishing gear and the catch, which may reduce the income and increase the repair costs. The field data on the direct and indirect effect of the marine plastics on the fisheries are limited. More comprehensive studies are needed to determine the levels of the impacts on fisheries. Unless reduction and prevention measures are implemented, the accumulation of the plastics in the marine ecosystem may cause even more economic loss and risk to human health.