Poster abstracts and manuscripts from the Third International ...

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questionnaire. Five km blocks consisting of 10 units have been
used for the analyses. The investigations were organized in a
period of two weeks after, the recreational season (September 15-
30). The data were collected by groups of trained students from
coastal schools.
All types of marine debris on the coast-have been thoroughly
investigated: landfill materials (e.g. concentrate, rubble),
large metal objects (abandoned vehicles, girders), household
furnishings, household refuse in bags or piles of rubbish', ship
wreckage, dumped crops, tires, lost or discarded plastic fishing
gear, packing. straps, beer can holders, plastics, foamed
polystyrene and polyurethane, tar, oil, gas, containers of
potentially hazardous substances, textiles and items of clothing,
paper, cardboard, all wood, vegetable waste, food, fish waste and
bones, feces, sanitary materials, medical waste, glass and cans.
Two methods of describing the presence of marine debris on the
coast were used. The typical recreational litter (drink
containers) were counted. Occurrence of non-recreational debris
for each 500 m unit was observed.
As a result of the investigations, the littering of the Polish
coast and the main sources of marine debris in years 1992 and
1993 were determined. The most littered areas of the Polish
coast are the east and central-west-parts. In 1993 a general
increase in littering has been observed., The recreational abuses
were the main source of marine debris in Poland. In 199-3, the
average number of all types of drink containers was 234 pieces on
a 5 km distance, which means an increase in comparison with the
1992 results (210 pieces). In 1992, 27% of the investigated
coast has been described as grossly or moderately littered. In
1993, the same description was given to 67% of the recognized.
coast. No influence of the weather has been detected. The
accumulation of marine 'debris-on the Polish coast is observed.
The industrial source is insignificant in this process.
This research is a part of the European-wide project "Coastwatch
Europe" which is under the auspices of the European Parliament in
Brussels (DGXI).
Moehl, Richard L., Stephen D. Wise, Dean S. Wise, and John B.
Edwards.
Beach Sweep '93, St. Helena Island, Northern Lake Michigan
Great Lakes' Lighthouse Keepers, Association, Allen Park,
Michigan, USA
During June 1993, a systematic beach clean-up of St. Helena
Island was undertaken. St. Helena is a 91 hectare, kidney shaped
island with a 5 kilometer-perimeter that lies at the western end