Poster abstracts and manuscripts from the Third International ...

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SESSION VI POSTERS
Sources of Marine Debris: Rural, Coastal and Upland Discharges
Baird, David
Clean Islands International Caribbean Project
Clean Islands International, St. John, New Brunswick, Canada
Element 1: It is proposed to establish a detailed scientific
study of beach debris in the wider Caribbean, consistent with the
procedures developed for other projects. This would be similar
to the Marine Debris Pilot Monitoring Project, carried out by the
University of Puerto Rico and those being developed by the EPA
for the U.S. coastal beach debris sampling program. That is,
sampling transects of specific target beaches are done on a
monthly basis. In the Wider Caribbean, we would be starting with
a series of target beaches (in the order of 12) scattered
throughout the region. A detailed consideration would be given
to actual site selection for the long term study.
Element 2: Once the study in Element 1 is well established, we
will expand the scope of the study area to eventually encompass
every country in the region. It is expected that the research
project will span five years to a full implementation in all 29
countries. Implementation plans will allow for the monitoring
process to carry on for a further period beyond that time.
Methodology: The actual sampling program will be started by the
team above, in the company of local individuals or groups, such
as a school or college class (depending on the specific island or
community). These people would be trained in the methodology to
be used for the project duration, as they will take stewardship
of the continued-data acquisition. The project scientists would
carry out periodic follow up monitoring with the local groups, to
ensure consistency.
Element 3: To be developed concurrently with the scientific
research, above, will be an educational outreach program for each
country involved. Discussions would be held with the educators
of each country, to develop a sense of, and a sensitivity to,
their educational needs in our development of a Marine Debris and
Solid Waste Curriculum for the Wider Caribbean Region. The
framework would also be established for the development of
teacher in-service workshops, and the customization of the
curriculum to each country as required. This too, would be a
staged implementation, requiring about seven years to fully
implement in all 29 countries.
Element 4: As an extension to Elements 1 and 2, the research team
should develop a computer data base for the. beach debris data
collected. This computer system would provide for the
establishment of a telecommunications link to the data base and
for the addition of data acquired by-others. Further, linkage of
information to an -electronic atlas are to be explored as part of
this project.