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DERELICT FISHING GEAR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN THE ADRIATIC REGION (DEFISHGEAR) Pilot assessment on microplastic in fishing areas Report for WP5 September, 2016

Transcript of DERELICT FISHING GEAR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN THE … · This document was produced as final report in...

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DERELICT FISHING GEAR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN

THE ADRIATIC REGION (DEFISHGEAR)

Pilot assessment on microplastic in fishing areas

Report for WP5

September, 2016

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Authors: Manca Kovač Viršek (IWRS), Špela Koren (IWRS), Monika Peterlin (IWRS), Andreja Palatinus (IWRS), Maryline Pflieger (UNG), Andrej Kržan (NIC), Petra Horvat (NIC), Jasna Šiljić (IOF), Dubravka Bojanić Varezić (IOF), Mišo Pavičić (IOF), Pero Tutman (IOF), Cristina Mazziotti (ARPAER), Paola Martini (ARPAER), Enza Bertaccini (ARPAER), Margherita Benzi (ARPAER), Helen Kaberi (HCMR), Christina Zeri (HCMR), Svitlana Liubartseva (CMCC), Marina Fusco (HEIS), Admir Aladžuz (HEIS), Sanela Krdžalić (HEIS), Gulielm Kroqi (AUT), Jerina Kolitari (AUT). Report editors: Manca Kovač Viršek, Špela Koren

Contact information:

DeFishGear website: http://www.defishgear.net/

Contact persons:

Manca Kovač Viršek, PhD (WP5 leader and project coordinator on Institute for Waters of the Republic

of Slovenia): [email protected]

Monika Peterlin, PhD (Coordinator of Sector for marine waters of the Institute for water):

[email protected]

Špela Koren, PhD (Associate Researcher): [email protected]

Institutions:

ARPAER: Regional Agency for Environmental Protection in the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy

AUT: Agricultural University of Tirana, Laboratory of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Albania

CMCC: Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change HCMR: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, Greece HEIS: Hydro-Engineering Institute of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Bosnia and Herzegovina IOF: Institute for Oceanography and Fisheries, Croatia IWRS: Institute for water of the Republic of Slovenia, Slovenia NIC: National Institute of Chemistry, Laboratory for polymer chemistry and technology, Slovenia UNG: University of Nova Gorica, The Laboratory for Environmental Research, Slovenia

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This document was produced as final report in DeFishGear project in work package 5 (WP5) –

Microplastics, by the financial assistance of the IPA Adriatic Cross-Border Cooperation Programme.

DeFishGear: Derelict Fishing Gear Management System in the Adriatic Region

Project code: 1°str/00010

Project duration: 1. 11. 2013 – 30. 9. 2016

Programme: IPA Adriatic Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007 – 2013

Disclaimer

This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the IPA Adriatic Cross-Border

Cooperation Programme. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of Institute for

Water of the Republic of Slovenia and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the

position of the IPA Adriatic Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Authorities.

Institute for water of the Republic of Slovenia (IWRS) has taken due care in the preparation of this

report to ensure that all facts and analysis presented are as accurate as possible within the scope of

the project. However no guarantee is provided in respect of the information presented, and IWRS is

not responsible for decisions or actions taken on the basis of the content of this report.

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Acronyms

ATR FT-IR – Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

NIR – Near Infra-red spectroscopy

NY - Nylon

PA – Polyamide

PE – Polyethylene

PP – Polypropylene

PVC – Polyvinyl chloride

PET – Polyethylene terephthalate

PS – Polystyrene

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Summary This report summarises findings of part of the work carried by work package 5 (WP5) of the project

DeFishGear, refered to microplastic pollution in fishing areas of the Adriatic region. The aim of this

part of WP5 was to investigate the level of pollution on the sea surface in fishing areas of the Adriatic

Sea, on which basis the program of measures for microplastic was prepared in the document

“Strategic recommendations for improving marine litter management in the Adriatic Sea in the field

of microplastic pollution” (Kovač Viršek, 2016).

The main objectives of the output “Pilot assessment on microplastic in fishing areas” were:

The use of harmonized sampling and sample analysis methodology prepared for the sea

surface samples that is usable for all Adriatic region.

Estimation of microplastic concentration on the sea surface in fishing areas of the Adriatic

region.

Methodology Microplastic sampling and sample analysis on the sea surface were done according to the

“Recommendation on regional approach to monitoring and assessment of microplastic in the marine

environment” developed through the project DeFishGear. Microplastic was sampled on 39 sea surface

transects by the use of manta net (mesh size ~300 µm) in Italy (Cesenatico – 8 transects), Slovenia

(from Koper to Piran – 4 transects), Croatia (Split region – 10 transects), Bosnia and Herzegovina

(Neum – 2 transects) and Greece (Corfu island – 15 transects). Samplings were performed in the spring

2015. Microplastic separation from the sea surface samples were done by the use of

stereomicroscopes. Microplastic particles were counted, weighted, categorized into 6 categories

(fragments, filaments, foams, granule, pellets and other) and analysed for their chemical structure. At

the end, estimation of density of microplastic pollution for each country and all Adriatic region were

calculated.

Results The average number of microplastic pollution in Adriatic Sea on the sea surface of fishing areas was

measured as 4.3 x 105 ± 5.6 x 105 items per km2. Among measures a high diversity among samples

were observed, the highest in Italy, Slovenia and Greece.

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The comparison of average and range of microplastic concentration (items/km2) among fishing areas of the Adriatic countries.

Chemical identification of microplastic particles were not possible for all particles, due to

fragmentation of particles and possible losing and due to biofilms that in most cases covered particles

and therefore FT-IR spectrophotometer could not provide the true results. However chemical

identification of microplastic particles show that polyethylene (PE) is the most abundant plastic

material among microplastic, followed by polypropylene and polystyrene.

Conclusions On the basis of this study the following conclusions are presented:

The average microplastic concentration in the fishing areas of Adriatic region was measured

as 4.3 x 105 items/km2

Fragments was the most common microplastic category in the fishing areas of Adriatic region,

followed by filaments and foams.

Polyethylene was the most common plastic material in the fishing areas of Adriatic region,

followed by polystyrene and polypropylene.

On the basis of knowledge about derelict fishing gear in the Adriatic region and fishing

activities reported to European Union, fishing activities have impact on microplastic pollution,

but it cannot be precisely evaluated.

Bosnia and Hr Croatia Greece Italy Slovenia

min (items/km2) 50 11200 28699 7434 916363

max (items/km2) 175 19300 910727 3234330 2319444

average 112 15800 237803 536333 1362588

0

500000

1000000

1500000

2000000

2500000

3000000

3500000

item

s/km

²

min (items/km2) max (items/km2) average

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Table of contents

Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................... iv

Summary ................................................................................................................................................. v

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Objectives................................................................................................................................ 1

1.2 Description of the teams involved in microplastic research ................................................... 1

1.2.1 Albania - Agricultural University of Tirana ...................................................................... 1

1.2.2 Bosnia and Herzegovina - Hydro-Engineering Institute Sarajevo ................................... 1

1.2.3 Croatia - Institute for Oceanography and Fisheries ........................................................ 2

1.2.4 Greece - Hellenic Centre for Marine Research ............................................................... 3

1.2.5 Italy - Regional Agency for Environmental Protection in the Emilia-Romagna region ... 3

1.2.6 Slovenia ........................................................................................................................... 3

Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia .............................................................................. 3

The National Institute of Chemistry ................................................................................................ 3

1.3 Literature review ..................................................................................................................... 4

1.3.1 Short description of Adriatic Sea .................................................................................... 4

1.3.2 Fisheries activities that can influence on microplastic pollution .................................... 4

2 Materials and Methods ................................................................................................................... 6

2.1 Sea surface sampling and sample analysis ............................................................................. 6

2.1.1 Sampling .......................................................................................................................... 6

2.1.2 Microplastic separation from the sea surface .............................................................. 10

3 Results ........................................................................................................................................... 11

3.1 National level ........................................................................................................................ 11

3.1.1 Bosnia and Herzegovina ................................................................................................ 11

3.1.2 Croatia ........................................................................................................................... 12

3.1.3 Greece ........................................................................................................................... 13

3.1.4 Italy ................................................................................................................................ 14

3.1.5 Slovenia ......................................................................................................................... 18

3.1.6 Regional level ................................................................................................................ 19

3.2 Size distribution .................................................................................................................... 20

3.3 Chemical analysis .................................................................................................................. 20

3.3.1 Croatia ........................................................................................................................... 20

3.3.2 Greece ........................................................................................................................... 20

3.3.3 Slovenia ......................................................................................................................... 21

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4 Discussion ...................................................................................................................................... 22

5 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................... 24

6 References .................................................................................................................................... 25

Appendices

Appendix 1: Sampling data – sea surface

Appendix 2: Size distribution – sea surface

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1 Introduction This report represents the results of monitoring of microplastic and related activities within the

DeFishGear project - “Derelict Fishing Gear Management System in the Adriatic Region” (project code:

1°STR/ 00010), which was funded by IPA Adriatic Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007 – 2013.

The report is focused exclusively on monitoring and assessment of microplastic pollution (plastic

particles < 5 mm) on the sea surface in fishing areas of the Adriatic Region. The report is a result of

coordinated actions toward sharing knowledge on analysing microplastic pollution, which included

application of the joint monitoring methodology in the Adriatic region aiming to determine

microplastic types and quantities selected marine department.

1.1 Objectives The main objectives of the output “Pilot assessment on microplastic in fishing areas” were:

Determination of fishing areas of marine litter in the Adriatic region. Microplastic was sampled

on 39 sea surface transects in Italy (Cesenatico – 8 transects), Slovenia (from Koper to Piran –

4 transects), Croatia (Split region – 10 transects), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Neum – 2 transects)

and Greece (Corfu island – 15 transects).

Sampling in the sea surface fishing areas by manta net and sample analysis of water samples.

Estimation of microplastic concentration on the sea surface of fishing areas of the Adriatic

region.

1.2 Description of the teams involved in microplastic research These targeted actions related to monitoring and assessment of microplastic pollution were performed

in 6 eligible countries in the Adriatic Region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy

and Slovenia) by following 7 project partners from the DeFishGear project:

Regional Agency for Environmental Protection in the Emilia-Romagna region, Cesenatico, Italy;

Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia;

National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia;

Institute for Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, Croatia;

Hydro-Engineering Institute Sarajevo, Bosnia and Hercegovina;

Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania;

Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Greece.

1.2.1 Albania - Agricultural University of Tirana AUT elaborates water management and marine management studies and technical background legal

regulations which mainly support the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment and develops

approach to monitoring and management of marine litter pollution, including beach litter and

microplastic and has been involved in Clean Coast, Marine Renegades and other NGO projects. The

laboratory is involved in marine litter research since 2013 and has the leading role in microplastic

analysis in Albanian sea water since 2013. AUT has also experience in socio-economic analysis (SEA).

1.2.2 Bosnia and Herzegovina - Hydro-Engineering Institute Sarajevo Prior to investigation of microplastics trends and accumulations in the Adriatic, DeFishGear project

partners involved in the microplastic surveys have performed extensive literature review. It was

actually the first sub-activity performed within the Working Package 5 dealing exclusively with the

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microplastics pollution. This initial activity, as well as all the other activities related to the WP5 which

took place in the part of the Adriatic Sea pertaining to BIH, were performed by the expert team from

the Hydro-Engineering Institute Sarajevo.

The main aim of the literature review was to prepare the stock of data related to the current level of

surveys dealing with the assessments and trends of microplastics pollution in the Adriatic Region and

abroad. The results of the literature review performed by BIH team and other expert teams, which

were involved in this activity in general have shown that microplastics has been recognized as

emerging pollution threat all around the globe. Nevertheless, still certain aspects related to its

accumulation trends, assessment methodology and exact data related to its quantity and quality

remain insufficiently investigated.

Furthermore, literature review has shown that scientific data related to the Adriatic Sea are scattered

and sporadic, lacking joint assessment methodology and data base. This was actually the greatest

challenge that all the countries involved in the Working Package 5 of the DeFishGear project had to

deal with. Moreover, for some countries, like it was the case with Bosnia and Herzegovina,

microplastics pollution was completely new scientific field, requiring even more engagement and

knowledge acquisition from the partners who were already experienced in these kinds of scientific

activities.

Finally, literature review served as the pillar for the preparation of the common guidance documents,

i.e. DeFishGear Monitoring Protocols, which have enabled application of the joint assessment

methodology in the period, and creation of the first data base for the microplastic pollution in the

Adriatic Sea.

1.2.3 Croatia - Institute for Oceanography and Fisheries The Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (IOF) is the scientific public institute and it is National

Reference Centre for the marine research. Institute employs 116 people of whom 71 are experts in

different field of which 50 are professionals with PhD. Scientific activities conducted in the IOF are

interdisciplinary including biological, chemical, physical, geological and fishery research. The research

vessels Bios and Navicula, owned by IOF, are used for oceanographic and fisheries research activities,

designed specifically for surveys and data collection for both coastal and open-sea waters.

The IOF have eight Departments dealing with variety aspects of coastal environment. Information

available on the composition and distribution of marine litter, including microplastics in the Croatian

marine environment is scarce because surveys to date have mainly focused on biological and

hydrological parameters. During our long-term investigations, microplastics have been detected in the

tissues of a variety of marine species, as well as in the water column and sediment. However, there is

currently a lack of dedicated studies on the bio-ecological effects of various kind of marine litter on the

sea life in Croatia. The IOF aims to participate in establishing a framework within which Policy makers

and other stakeholders would take measures to achieve or maintain good environmental status in the

sea.

The IOF team involved in DeFishGear project are employees of two laboratories; Laboratory of

ichthyology and coastal fisheries and Laboratory of fisheries science and management of pelagic and

demersal resources. The team includes scientists who are experts in the fields of biology and

biotechnology, dealing with the biology and ecology of fishes and their developmental stages, trophic

ecology, population dynamics, all aspects of fisheries including stock assessment and management of

pelagic, demersal and coastal resources. At the beginning DeFishGear project, two people were hired

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to be fully involved in the activities assigned by the project and they were sent for training in order to

specialize in collection and processing samples of microplastics.

1.2.4 Greece - Hellenic Centre for Marine Research HCMR has participated in a number of projects related to the topic of marine litter. In the framework

of the FP7 project PERSEUS (2011-2015) the seafloor litter was studied in the Eastern Mediterranean

and the Black Sea. The methodology for the analysis of microplastics in sediments was developed in

the framework of the FP7 project CLEANSEA (2012-2016). Finally, in the framework of the FP7 SEAS

ERA project MERMAID (2012-2015), besides other descriptors, the marine litter descriptor (D10) was

studied in the Gulf of Lions (France), Saronikos Gulf (Greece) and the Cilician basin (Turkey), linking the

defined targets for marine litter to the corresponding measures.

1.2.5 Italy - Regional Agency for Environmental Protection in the Emilia-Romagna region

Regional Agency for Environmental Protection in the Emili-Romagna region (ArpaER) carries out

research about coastal marine systems with emphasis on multidisciplinary ecosystem complexity: the

main activities include research, development and application of monitoring programme to comply

with regional, national, EU laws. During the 2013 the ArpaER was involved in sea surface microplastics

analysis for the Marine Strategy. In the 2015 they started again the activities about marine Strategy

and we are involved in sea surface microplastics analysis. In Italy the microplastics analysis in the beach

sediment are not take into consideration until now.

The team is composed from marine biologists and technicians that are involved in sampling activities

and laboratory analysis with a couple years of experience in this skill.

1.2.6 Slovenia

Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia Institute for water of the Republic of Slovenia (IWRS) implements common European water policy and

international strategies and conventions, participates in expert working groups of the Common

Implementation Strategy process of directives at the DG Environment of the European Commission

and activities of the European Environment Agency. IWRS elaborates water management and marine

management studies and technical background legal regulations which mainly support the Ministry of

Agriculture and the Environment and develops approach to monitoring and management of marine

litter pollution, including beach litter and microplastic and has been involved in Clean Coast, Marine

Renegades and other NGO projects.

The Institute is involved in marine litter research since 2010 and has the leading role in microplastic

analysis in Slovenian sea water since 2011. The team is composed from biologists and ecologist that

are involved in sampling activities and laboratory analysis with a couple years of experience in this skill.

The National Institute of Chemistry The National Institute of Chemistry (NIC) is a public research institution active in all areas of chemistry.

It was the first research institution in Slovenia to obtain ISO 9001 standards in 2003. It offers high-level

research equipment such as NMR spectrometers, ultra-high resolution microscopes, chromatography

systems etc. and is routinely involved in national and international research frameworks. The

Department for Polymer Chemistry and Technology (D07) with its 17 members is specialized in

synthesis and characterization of polymers and plastics. It provides a full array of chemical

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polymer/plastics characterization expertise: spectroscopy, chromatography, thermal methods, as well

as an excellent staff including 9 Ph. D. experts.

The laboratory has a history of activity in the broad area of environmental aspects of plastics and

polymers including plastic waste management, plastics recycling, biodegradability of plastics, biobased

plastics and bionanocomposites. Through its project involvement D07 has expertise in plastics

sustainability issues from its strong involvement in bioplastics as well as the legal,

standardization/certification and strategic aspects of plastic waste management, plastic pollution in

the environment and environmental solutions such as biodegradable plastics.

Through the waste management and biodegradability issues the team lead by dr. Andrej Kržan has had

exposure to the issue of marine litter and microplastics. In cooperation with the University of Nova

Gorica dr. Kržan lead the first studies of microplastics occurrence in the Adriatic sea (Slovenian part),

which started in 2011 (two studies finished by 2015). The results of these exploratory studies were

included in the national reporting as part of fulfilling the requirements for the Marine Strategy

Framework Directive.

1.3 Literature review 1.3.1 Short description of the Adriatic Sea The Adriatic Sea is north eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, which separates the Apennine of the

Balkan Peninsula. The Adriatic Sea is semi-enclosed sea connected with the Ionian Sea by the Strait of

Otranto. It is geographically divided into the Northern Adriatic, Central (or Middle) Adriatic, and

Southern Adriatic. The prevailing currents flow up from the Strait of Otranto, along the eastern coast

and back to the strait along the western (Italian) coast. Because the Adriatic Sea collects a third of the

fresh water flowing into the Mediterranean their salinity is lower than the average Mediterranean's

salinity (Artegiani et al., 1997). The first contributor of freshwater to the Adriatic is the submarine

groundwater discharges through submarine springs that comprise 29% of the total water flux into the

Adriatic (Taniguchi et al., 2002). Among surface waters, river Po has the highest discharge into the

Adriatic, followed by Neretva and Drin (Franić and Petrinec, 2006). Other major rivers discharging into

the Adriatic include also Soča, Krka, Bojana, and Vjosë. Altogether with other small rivers discharge up

to 5,700 m3/s. This rate of discharge amounts to 0.5% of the total Adriatic Sea volume.

For fisheries management the Adriatic Sea is divided in two Geographical Sub-Areas (GSA): GSA 17 and

GSA 18. In GSA 17, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Italy are included, while in GSA 18

Albania, South-Eastern coast of Italy and Montenegro are included (UNEP -MAP-RAC/SPA, 2014).

1.3.2 Fisheries activities that can influence on microplastic pollution 1.3.2.1 Fleets operating in the Adriatic Sea

The size of Adriatic fishing fleet in 2001 was about 10000 registered fishing vessels and it was reduced

to 3000 till 2014. 80% of vessels are bottom trawlers, 17% are purse seiners for small pelagic and just

3% are pelagic trawlers (UNEP -MAP-RAC/SPA, 2014).

1.3.2.2 Fishing gears In the Adriatic Sea at least 3 types of fishing gears are used by fisher men. Small and large pelagic fish

species are caught by the use of “volante” and “purse seine”. Volante is the most frequently used by

Italian fleet in the northern and central areas, while Purse seine is the main gear used in Slovenia,

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Croatia, Montenegro and Albania for small pelagic species and in Croatia for large pelagic fishes

(Bluefin tuna) (UNEP -MAP-RAC/SPA, 2014).

Demersal species are caught by the use of bottom trawls and “rapido”. Bottom trawl fisheries is mainly

regulated by spatial and temporal fisheries regulation measures and is closed half year in the majority

of the inner sea. 1/3 of territorial sea is closed for bottom trawl fisheries over whole year (UNEP -MAP-

RAC/SPA, 2014).

Fishing gears could be made from natural or synthetic fibers. Among synthetic fibers the following are

used: polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride and polyvinyl

alcohol. The polyamide (PA) fibres are the most frequently used for fishing gears and they are

manufactured in several types differing in their chemical components and also in some properties, e.g.

the melting point (Klust, 1982).

Synthetic fishing nets can be left or lost in the seas by fishermen, known as ghost nets. In these nets

sea animals can be entangled. Under physical and chemical conditions ghost nets degraded in the sea

into the small plastic pieces “microplastic”. For this reason fishing activities could contribute to

microplastic pollution to the sea.

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2 Materials and Methods During the DeFishGear project protocols for the assessment of microplastic pollution on the sea

surface and beach sediments were developed and composed in final document: “Recommendation on

regional approach to monitoring and assessment of microplastic in the marine environment” (Kovač

Viršek et al., 2015).

The DeFishGear protocols were developed by the DeFishGear project partners based on existing

recommended methods for microplastics sampling and analysis. These recommended methods

strongly rely on different relevant marine Directives and Conventions applied in the Mediterranean

and abroad (Marine Strategy Framework Directive, various guidance documents for the common

implementation of MSFD, OSPAR-Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the

North-East Atlantic, etc.).

Some of the partners made some modifications of the protocol and they are specified in each section

on the sampling and sample analysis.

2.1 Sea surface sampling and sample analysis In addition to detailed description of methodology, general features of monitoring strategy have also

been defined in the relevant DeFishGear Monitoring Protocols. Therefore Albania, Croatia, Greece and

Italy sampled sea surface microplastics in the predetermined locations according to the mathematical

model for litter accumulation developed by CMCC (Mediterranean Centre for Climatic Change),

whereas Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia performed their sea surface monitoring activities on

randomly chosen locations.

2.1.1 Sampling 2.1.1.1 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sampling activities related to the assessment of sea surface microplastics in fishing area in Bosnia and

Herzegovina were performed in Neum aquatorium (Neum bay) (Figure 1) on two locations in May

2015. Sampling data are presented in Appendix 1, Table A1.

The protocol “Recommendation on regional approach…” (Kovač Viršek et al., 2015) within the DFG

project, was followed.

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Figure 1: Sea surface sampling transects in fishing areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

2.1.1.2 Croatia In Croatia, sea surface of fishing areas was sampled for microplastics in 3 areas from Split to Island Vis

(Splitski kanal, Viški kanal, Biševski kanal) in June 2015. The protocol “Recommendation on regional

approach…” (Kovač Viršek et al., 2015) within the DFG project, was followed. Samples were collected

from 10 sea surface transects (Figure 2), 4 in Splitski kanal, 4 in Viški kanal and 2 in Biševski kanal. The

locations were predetermined according to possible litter accumulations caused by sea currents and

fishing activities. Within the area covered by surface sampling were included locations near urban

places near the coast as well as the channel waters and the open sea. Sampling data are described in

Appendix 1, Table A2 and Table A3.

Figure 2: Sea surface sampling transects in fishing areas of Croatia (red labels).

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2.1.1.3 Greece In Greece, sea surface was sampled for microplastics on 3 areas around Corfu Island (Otranto Straits,

North Ionian waters, Kerkyraikos Gulf) in April 2015. The protocol “Recommendation on regional

approach…” (Kovač Viršek et al., 2015) within the DFG project, was followed.

In Otranto Straits, the South Adriatic, four manta net transects were conducted. In the North Ionian

waters, five manta net transects were done. Finally, in Kerkyraikos Gulf microplastic samples were

collected from six manta net transects (Figure 3). All details about sampling data are in Appendix 1,

Table A4.

Figure 3: Sea surface sampling transects in fishing areas around Corfu island (Greece).

2.1.1.4 Italy In Italy, 2 transects perpendicular to the coast on the Northern Adriatic Sea were selected, Porto

Garibaldi and Cesenatico. In each transect 4 sampling stations were located at different distance from

the coast (0.5, 3, 10 and 20 km). Porto Garibaldi transect was constituted from 4 sampling stations

(PG4_S, 304_S, 1004_S, 2004_S). The sampling stations are strongly influenced by Porto Garibaldi

River. The stations were sampled in May 2015 (sampling data in Appendix 1, Table A6). Cesenatico

transect was constituted from 4 sampling stations (PG14_S, 314_S, 1014_S, 2014_S). The samplings

were carried out in April 2015 (Figure 4) (sampling data in Appendix 1, Table A5).

In Italy a few modifications of the protocol “Recommendation on regional approach…” (Kovač Viršek

et al., 2015) was used: 1) manta net aperture: 25 x 50 cm; 2) mesh size 330 µm; 3) duration of sampling

was 20 min.

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Figure 4: Sea surface sampling transects in fishing areas of Cesenatico (Italy).

2.1.1.5 Slovenia In Slovenia, sea surface was sampled for microplastics almost in all Slovenian coast from Piran to Koper,

in May 2015 (Figure 5) (Appendix 1, Table A7). Other sampling data referred to this survey are

described in Appendix 1. The sampling was conducted with manta net according to the protocol

described in the document “Recommendation on regional approach…” (Kovač Viršek et al., 2015).

There were no adaptations of the protocol.

Figure 5: Sea surface sampling transects in fishing areas of Slovenia.

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2.1.2 Microplastic separation from the sea surface Microplastic separation from the sea surface samples were performed according to Recommendation

on regional approach…, 2015. Modification of the protocol from above mention document was

developed in Greece. There they have the problem with large amounts of organic matter, which was

solved by the use of two sieves in faze of cleaning the sample (a 1 mm and a 300 μm sieves, one on

top of the other), in order to separate small particles from the large gelatinous lumps or the seaweeds.

Samples were always rinsing with seawater in order to facilitate separation. One sample in Kerkyraikos

Gulf during April 2015 was exceptionally dense in floating seaweed and its treatment included also

several times of flotation.

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3 Results 3.1 National level 3.1.1 Bosnia and Herzegovina The amount of microplastic particles found in the sea surface samples in fishing area of Bosnia and

Herzegovina was 175 particles per km2 for T1 and 50 particles per km2 for T2 (Figure 6). Average

concentration was 112 ± 88 particles per km2.

Figure 6: Microplastic concentrations (items/km2) in fishing area of Bosnia and Herzegovina on two transects sampled in May 2015.

The most commonly found microplastic category was other (62,5 % – 100 %), followed by filaments

(25 %), and fragments (12,5 %). Films, granules, foams and pellets were not present in any transect

(Figure 7).

Figure 7: microplastic categories per each sea surface transect of fishing areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

0

50

100

150

200

T1 T2

item

s/km

²

sampling transect

T1 T2

Other 62,50% 100,00%

Filaments 25,00% 0,00%

Films 0,00% 0,00%

Granules 0,00% 0,00%

Fragments 12,50% 0,00%

Pellets 0,00% 0,00%

Foams 0,00% 0,00%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

% o

f m

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pla

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Sampling transect

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3.1.2 Croatia The average of microplastic particles per km2 was 1.58 x 104 ± 0.32 x 104. The number of microparticles

per km2 was in the range of 1.12 x 104– 1.93 x 104, with less difference in microplastic concentration

among transects, but the concentration decreased with the distance from the coast (Figure 8).

Figure 8: Microplastic concentrations (items/km2) in fishing area of Croatia on five transects.

Among microplastic categories filaments were the most common category in SD12, SD14 and SD20

samples with percentages of 33.33%, 43.75% and 92.31%, respectively. Occurrence of fragments were

the highest in samples SD17 (50.98%) and SD13 (48.21%). Abundance of films varied from 7.69% to

31.37%. Other categories have not been found, except the foamed plastic with the bigger amount in

samples S13 (26.39%) and SD12 (20.83%) (Figure 9).

Figure 9: Microplastic categories per each sea surface transect of fishing areas in Croatia.

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

SD12 SD13 SD14 SD17 SD20

item

s/km

2

Sampling site

SD12 SD13 SD14 SD17 SD20

Fragments 19,44% 48,21% 29,17% 50,98% 0,00%

Filaments 33,33% 14,29% 43,75% 7,84% 92,31%

Films 26,39% 14,29% 22,92% 31,37% 7,69%

Pellets 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00%

Granules 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00%

Foams 20,83% 23,21% 4,17% 9,80% 0,00%

Other 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

% o

f m

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pla

stic

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Sampling transect

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3.1.3 Greece In the fishing area of the Southern Adriatic and Kerkiraikos Gulf microplastic items ranged from 2.9 x

104 items/km2 to 91.1 x 104 items/km2 (average 23.7 x 104 ± 22.3 x 104 items/km2) (Figure 10). In terms

of mass (g) the densities varied from 6 g/km2 to 792 g/km2 (average 196 ± 225 g/km2) (Figure 11).

Figure 10: Microplastic concentrations (items/km2) in fishing area of Greece on fifteen transects (transects 1M -9M were located in the area of Southern Adriatic and transects 10M – 15M were in

Kerkiraikos gulf).

Figure 11: Microplastic concentrations (g/km2) in fishing area of Greece on fifteen transects (transects 1M – 9M were located in the area of Southern Adriatic and transects 10M-15M were in

Kerkiraikos gulf).

The predominant type of microplastics were fragments. Concerning the size fractions of fragments (5

mm – 1 mm or 1 mm - 0.3 mm) it appears that the smaller fraction were consistently more abundant

in all samples varying from 51% to 76% (with the exception of sample 4-1). We should note here that

foams were counted as fragments in the present analysis. Filaments in both size fractions had a very

0

200.000

400.000

600.000

800.000

1.000.000

1.200.000

1.400.000

1.600.000

4-1

M

4-2

M

4-3

M

4-4

M

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M

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M

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M

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M

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4-1

M

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g/km

2

Sampling transect

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small contribution and large size filaments (1 – 5 mm) were absent. Only two pellets was recorded in

sample 4-8 contributing to 0,33% of total number of microplastics at this stations (Figure 12).

Figure 12: Microplastic categories per each sea surface transect of fishing areas in Greece (transects 1m – 9m were located in the area of Southern Adriatic and transects 10M – 15M were in

Kerkiraikos gulf).

3.1.4 Italy In fishing areas of Italy the biggest amount of microplastic (items/km2) was observed in the sampling transect number 14 during April 2015 (Figure 14). In particular, the highest value was recorded 10 km distance from the coast in the station 1014_S (3.2 x 106 items/km2), where the quantity of microplastics recorded was 5 times higher compared to the values observed in the other stations of the same transect. High quantity of microplastics was also observed in the transect 4, where station PG4_S reached values up to 4.3 x 105 items/km2 (Figure 13).

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

4-1

M

4-2

M

4-3

M

4-4

M

4-5

M

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M

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M

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0M

4-1

1M

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5M

% o

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icro

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stic

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Sampling transect

>5 mm <5 mm fragments <5mm filaments

<1mm fragments <1mmfilaments pellets

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Figure 13: Microplastic concentrations (items/km2) in fishing area of Italy in transect 4.

Figure 14: Microplastic concentrations (items/km2) in fishing area of Italy in transect 14.

The weight of the microplastic particles followed the same trends observed for the number of

microplastic detected in the transect 14 during April (Figure 14, 16). On the contrary, different patterns

were reported for the transect 4 during May where station 304_S was characterized by low amount of

plastic with high mass value (Figure 13, 15).

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

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PG4_S 304_S 1004_S 2004_S

Item

s/km

²

Sampling transect

0

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C14_S 314_S 1014_S 2014_S

Item

s/km

²

Sampling transect

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Figure 15: Microplastic concentrations (g/km2) in fishing area of Italy in transect 4.

Figure 16: Microplastic concentrations (g/km2) in fishing area of Italy in transect 14.

In all the sampling stations fragments were predominant in the microplastics composition, ranging

between 63% and 90% (Figure 17, 18). Pellets and filaments were almost absent in both transects.

Films were detected in different amounts (1.6 - 21.05%) in all the sampling stations. Foam showed also

high variability depending on the site and period sampled, ranging between 0.73% and 24%.

0

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PG4_S 304_S 1004_S 2004_S

g/km

²

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C14_S 314_S 1014_S 2014_S

g/km

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Figure 17: Microplastic categories per each sea surface transect of fishing areas in Italy for the transect 4.

Figure 18: Microplastic categories per each sea surface transect of fishing areas in Italy for the transect 14.

PG4_S 304_S 1004_S 2004_S

Other 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00

Foam 0,73 2,38 5,00 10,53

Granules 2,44 0,60 2,50 0,00

Pellets 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00

Films 4,64 5,95 12,50 21,05

Filaments 0,00 0,60 0,00 5,26

Fragments 92,19 90,48 80,00 63,16

0%

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Sampling transect

C14_S 314_S 1014_S 2014_S

Other 0,00 0,00 0,00 0,00

Foam 9,57 9,68 3,55 24,00

Granules 0,89 0,00 2,29 0,00

Pellets 0,00 0,00 0,62 0,00

Films 1,60 19,35 17,00 8,00

Filaments 4,79 0,00 0,15 0,00

Fragments 83,16 70,97 76,39 68,00

0%

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3.1.5 Slovenia In fishing area of Slovenia, the amount of microplastics found in the sea surface samples was in range

from 9.2 x 105 to 2.3 x 106 particles per km2 (items/km2) with minimum abundance on sampling site S3

and maximum abundancy on sampling site S1 (Figure 19). In average there were 1.4 x 106 ± 6.4 x 105

items per km2.

Figure 19: Microplastic concentrations (items/km2) in fishing area of Slovenia.

The weight of the microplastics followed the similar trend as observed for the number of microplastics,

with the highest mass for the S1 sample. Otherwise, the weight of microplastics in samples was in

range from 157 to 807 g per km2, with minimum weight at sampling site S3 and maximum weight at

sampling site S1 (Figure 20). The data for the weight of the categories filaments and other are excluded.

Figure 20: Microplastic concentrations (g/km2) in fishing area of Slovenia.

The predominant type of microplastics were fragments for samples S1, S2 and S4, in range from 53% -

63%, and filaments for the sample S3 (58%) (Figure 21). Films, granules and foams were absent at some

sampling sites and were at least represented types of microplastic composition with maximum of

0,40% for foams at sampling site S3, and 6,85% for films and 1,03% for granules at sampling site S2.

Pellets were absent from all sampling sites (Figure 21).

0

500000

1000000

1500000

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S1 S2 S3 S4

item

s/km

²

Sampling transect

0100200300400500600700800900

S1 S2 S3 S4

g/km

²

Sampling transect

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Figure 21: Microplastic categories per each sea surface transect of fishing areas in Slovenia.

3.1.6 Regional level On regional level the maximal and minimal average concentrations of microplastics were measured in

Italy (7.4 x 103 – 3.2 x 106 items/km2). The average number of microplastic pollution in Adriatic Sea on

the sea surface of fishing areas was measured as 4.3 x 105 ± 5.6 x 105 items per km2. Among measures

there were a high diversity among samples, the highest in Italy, Slovenia and Greece (Figure 22).

Figure 22: the comparison of average and range of microplastic concentration (items/km2) among fishing areas of Adriatic countries.

S1 S2 S3 S4

other 4,79% 6,85% 1,98% 2,52%

foam 0,36% 0,34% 0,40% 0,00%

granules 0,24% 1,03% 0,00% 0,00%

pellets 0,00% 0,00% 0,00% 0,00%

films 2,04% 6,85% 0,79% 0,00%

filaments 29,46% 31,85% 57,94% 42,27%

fragments 63,11% 53,08% 38,89% 55,21%

0%

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%o

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gory

Sampling transect

Bosnia and Hr Croatia Greece Italy Slovenia

min (items/km2) 50 11200 28699 7434 916363

max (items/km2) 175 19300 910727 3234330 2319444

average 112 15800 237803 536333 1362588

0

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3.2 Size distribution By image analysis software particles sizes were measured for Greece, Italian and Slovenian samples.

Measures were done for categories: fragments, films, pellets, granules and other. The length of

filaments were not measured, since this methodically was not possible. In Greece, microplastic

particles were classified into three classes: <1 mm, 1-5 mm, >5 mm, among which class <1 mm was the

most abundant (2844 particles), followed by class 1-5 mm (1566 particles) and at least class >5 mm

(133 particles) (Appendix 2, Table A8).

In Italy and Slovenia, microplastic particles were measured by image analysis software very precisely

and average size of microplastic particles were calculated and extremes determined. Average size of

microplastic particles was 2.78 ± 1.65 for Italy and 1.87 ± 0.97 for Slovenia. In Italy and Slovenia

particles were very variable in length, since their measurements were in range from 0.02 up to 5 mm

in Slovenia and from 0.11 to 17.28 in Italy. According to the data of the image analysis there were some

mesoparticles included in the sample (maximum lengths over 5 mm), but average lengths from all

categories were smaller than 5 mm, therefore they were in average microparticles. All results are

presented in Appendix 2, Table A9 and Table A10.

3.3 Chemical analysis 3.3.1 Croatia The most abundant material among microplastic particles in fishing area of Croatia was polyethylene

(PE), followed by polystyrene (PS). In a few percent the calcium stearate was also presented, which is

not plastic material (Figure 23).

Figure 23: Chemical composition of microplastic for the sea surface samples in Croatia.

3.3.2 Greece The most abundant material among microplastic particles in fishing area of Greece was also PE,

followed by polypropylene (PP). In a few percent also PS, polyvinil chloride (PVC) and polyethylene

teraphalate (PET) were presented (Figure 24).

60%

35%

5%

PE PS Calcium stereate

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Figure 24: Chemical composition of microplastic for the sea surface samples in Greece.

3.3.3 Slovenia Chemical analysis of microplastic particles in fishing area of Slovenia revealed that polyethylene (PE)

was the most common type of plastic, followed by PP. Other types of plastic compound found were

polyamide (PA), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene/vinyl acetate

copolymer (EVA) (Figure 25).

Figure 25: Chemical composition of microplastic for the sea surface samples in Slovenia.

75%

18%

4% 2% 1%

PE PP PS PVC PET

59%

7%

2%1%

1% 3%

PE PP PA PS PET EVA

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4 Discussion The sources of microplastic pollution on the sea surface are divided into the four types (larger plastic

litter, cleaning products, medicines and textiles) (Browne, 2015), among which larger plastic litter is

the only source of microplastics on which fishing activities can influence. The most common litter

produced by fishing activities are fishing gears (Galgani et al., 2015), “mesh cells” mainly used in

mollusc farming and styrophone boxes. Fishing gears are made usually from Nylon 6 and can degrade

into the microplastic categories filaments, “mesh cells” are made from polypropylene and can degrade

into the fragments and styrofoam boxes are made from polystyrene and can degrade into the foamed

microplastic.

The results of microplastic pollution in fishing areas of the Adriatic Sea represents relatively high

concentrations of microplastic particles (4.3 x 105 items/km2), where Slovenia and Italy have the

highest contribution to such results. In comparison with the results of DeFishGear sampling in 2014,

where sampling was performed in accumulation zones of the Adriatic Sea, that were actually more or

less on the same locations, the mean concentration was for 2x higher. Samples that contribute to high

mean microplastic concentration are samples from Italy (1014_S) and Slovenia (S1, S3 and S4), which

were above one million. In the case of Italian and Slovenian results the weather conditions were most

probably contribute to high microplastic concentrations, while strong wind from the south was flowing

on these days of sampling.

The estimation of microplastic pollution in distinct area is determined by several factors. Factors that

influence on the final result in the process of sampling are: 1) weather conditions (wind speed and

direction, direction of sea currents and direction of boat movement) – if boat is moving in opposite

direction than sea currents, more microplastic should be caught; 2) the quantity of seston, in which

microplastic particles collide and accumulate; 3) specific conditions related to sampling microlocation

(near the city, river outflow, outflow of waste water treatment plant, harbour…). Factors that influence

on final result in the process of separation of microplastic particles from the sample are: 1) the quantity

of seston, which make separation difficult, 2) the quality of stereomicroscope, where polarization light

could help to distinguish among plastic and non plastic particles, 3) the experience and precision of

working person and 4) the laboratorium room, which need to be clean and closed, due to

contamination of samples with air born filaments, can strongly influence on final results.

Among microplastic categories, fragments were the most common category (19% - 92%) in all

countries, except Bosnia and Herzegovina, where category other was the most abundant. Microplastic

category of filaments were mostly presented in Slovenia and Croatia (8% - 92%). In Croatia and Italy

category of foams was identified as the third most common category (0% – 24%). In accordance with

microplastic categories, PE was the most commonly identified plastic material (60% - 75%), since

polyethylene is the most widely used plastic material, primarily used in packaging (plastic bags, plastic

films, geomembranes, containers including bottles), that can degraded into the fragments and films.

The second most commonly identified plastic material was polystyrene (1% – 35%), what is in line with

presence of foams.

The correlation among microplastic pollution and fishing activities is hard to prove. Because of small

size of microplastic particles, the source of origin is impossible to determine in comparison with large

plastic litter. From microplastics just predictions can be done on the basis of chemical identification in

combination with microplastic categories. When the sources are trying to identify also a lot of factors

that influence on microplastic distribution have to be considered. The distribution of microplastics is

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mainly influenced by oceanographic features (currents and waves), which are responsible for different

accumulation rates of microplastic in marine environment (Galgani, 2014; Andrady, 2011; Browne et

al., 2011) and land based sources of litter, where riverine inputs and sewage discharges are one of the

most important sources of marine litter. It is estimated that 80% of marine litter is land based (UNEP,

2005).

Adriatic Sea is one of the most important fishing area in Mediterranean, with the fishing fleet about

10.000 operating fishing vessels (Mannini et al., 2004). On the basis of knowledge about derelict fishing

gears in the Adriatic region and fishing activities reported to European Union, fishing activities have

impact on microplastic pollution, but it cannot be precisely evaluated.

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5 Conclusions The average microplastic concentration in the fishing areas of Adriatic region was measured

as 4.3 x 105 items/km2

Fragments was the most common microplastic category in the fishing areas of Adriatic region,

followed by filaments and foams.

Polyethylene was the most common plastic material in the fishing areas of Adriatic region,

followed by polystyrene and polypropylene.

On the basis of knowledge about derelict fishing gear in the Adriatic region and fishing

activities reported to European Union, fishing activities have impact on microplastic pollution,

but it cannot be precisely evaluated.

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6 References Andrady, A.L., 2011. Microplastics in the marine environment. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 62, 1596–1605.

Browne, M.A. (2015). Sources and pathways of microplastics to habitats. In: Marine anthropogenic litter. Springer International Publishing. 229-244. Browne, M.A., Crump, P., Niven, S.J., Teuten, E., Tonkin, A., Galloway, T., Thompson, R. (2011). Accumulation of microplastic on shorelines woldwide: sources and sinks. Environmental science & technology, 45 (21): 9175-9179.

Galgani, F. (2014). Distribution, composition and abundance of marine litter in Mediterranean and Black Seas. CIESM 2014 Workshop Monograph n◦46 (Ed. Briand F.), 23-30. CIESM Publisher, Monaco.

Galgani, F., Hanke, G., Maes, T. (2015). Global distribution, composition and abundance of marine

litter. In: Marine anthropogenic litter. Springer International Publishing, 29 – 56.

Klust, G. (1982). Netting materials for fishing gear.

Kovač Viršek, M., Palatinus, A., Kaberi, H., Tsangaris, C., Mazziotti C. (2015). Recommendation on

regional approach to monitoring and assessment of microplastic in the marine environment. The

document produced within the project DeFishGear (1°str/00010), IPA Adriatic Cross-border

Cooperation Programme 2007 – 2013.

Kovač Viršek, M. (2016). Strategic recommendation for improving marine litter management in the

Adriatic Sea in the field of microplastic pollution. The document produced within the project

DeFishGear (1°str/00010), IPA Adriatic Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007 – 2013.

Mannini, P., Messa, F., Milone, N. (2004). Adriatic Sea fisheries: outline of some main facts. In: AdiaMed Seminar on Fishing Capacity: Definition, Measurement and Assessment. FAO- MiPAF Scientific Cooperation to Support Responsable Fisheries in the Adriatic Sea. GCP/RER/010/ITA/Td-13 13: 13-33. UNEP'S REGIONAL SEAS PROGRAMME (2005). Marine litter: an analytical overview. UNEP. UNEP-MAP-RAC/SPA. (2014). Status and Conservation of Fisheries in the Adriatic Sea. By Farrugio H.,

Soldo A. Draft internal report for the purposes of the Mediterranean Regional Workshop to Facilitate

the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas, Malaga, Spain, 7-11 April 2014.

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Derelict Fishing Gear management system in the Adriatic Region

Appendices Appendix 1: Sampling data – sea surface

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Table A1: Sampling data of sea surface survey on 30th and 31th of May 2015 in Neum bay, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sample ID 2 AB 2 CD

Sampling date

(d/m/y) 30/05/2015 31/05/2015

Start

point

Time 08:15 8:30

Lat (Y) 42°43`17.24`` 42°55`31.34``

Lon (X) 17°36`22.41`` 17°36`1.01``

Stop point

Time 08:45 9:00

Lat (Y) 42°55`31.34`` 42°55`45.68``

Lon (X) 17°36`1.01`` 17°35`43.22``

Average speed (kn) 2.4 2.4

Transect length (km) 2.33 2.36

Croatia

Table A2: Sampling data of sea surface survey on 3rd of June 2015 near Split, Croatia.

Sample ID SD11 SD12 SD13 SD14 SD15

Sampling date (d/m/y) 03/06/2015 03/06/2015 03/06/2015 03/06/2015 03/06/2015

Start point

Time 8:18 9:08 9:50 10:35 11:15

Lat (Y) 43°30'18.32" 43°27'41.55" 43°18'46.34" 43°29'5.50" 43°29'21.58"

Lon (X) 16°21'41.27" 16°22'23.92" 16°11'52.61"I 16°29'13.99" 16°27'26.95"

Stop point

Time 43°32'28.06" 43°24'57.45" 43°16'55.70" 43°27'49.61" 43°29'41.83"

Lat (Y) 16°21'3.79" 16°21'0.15" 16° 9'6.59" 16°31'56.95" 16°24'20.58"

Lon (X) 8:48:00 9:38:00 10:20 11:05 11:45

Average speed (kn) 2.2 3 2.9 2.7 2.8

Transect length (nmi) 2.47 2.53 3.35 2.81 2.69

Sea state (0 - 9 B) 1 0 0 0 0

Wind velocity (1 - 12 B) 1 1 1 1 1

Wind direction (°) N NE NE NE NE

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Derelict Fishing Gear management system in the Adriatic Region

Table A3: Sampling data of sea surface survey on 19th of December 2014 near Split, Croatia.

Sample ID SD16 SD17 SD18 SD19 SD20

Sampling date (d/m/y) 03/06/2015 03/06/2015 03/06/2015 03/06/2015 03/06/2015

Start point

Time 12:35 13:40 14:20 15:30 16:10

Lat (Y) 43°18'23.56" 43°10'30.72" 43°19'31.55" 43°11'20.18 43° 2'1.72"

Lon (X) 16°23'59.29" 16° 6'45.05" 16°17'7.26" 16°14'25.15" 16° 4'51.72"

Stop point

Time 43°20'38.39" 43° 7'47.81" 43°20'52.34" 43°11'56.51" 42°59'48.77"

Lat (Y) 16°24'35.41" 16° 8'25.36" 16°13'19.31" 16°17'37.15" 16° 0'40.60"

Lon (X) 13:05 14:10 14:50 16:00 16:40

Average speed (kn) 2.2 3 2.8 2.8 2.6

Transect length (nmi) 2.39 2.7 3.23 3.24 2.7

Sea state (0 - 9 B) 0 0 0 0 0

Wind velocity (1 - 12 B) 0 1 1 1 1

Wind direction (°) / NE NE NE NE

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Derelict Fishing Gear management system in the Adriatic Region

Greece

Table A4: Sampling data of sea surface survey from 23th to 27th April 2015 near Corfu Island, Greece.

Date Time

Sample Start End Speed

(knots)

Distance

(km) Start Stop N E N E

25/04/2015 18:15 18:50 4-11M 39.49427 20.11937 39.47622 20.12913 2.1 2.18

27/04/2015 16:03 16:39 4-12M 39.47498 20.1767 39.49347 20.17308 2.0 2.08

25/04/2015 08:30 09:05 4-13M 39.6399 19.95055 39.62583 19.96623 1.9 2.06

25/04/2015 09:27 10:02 4-14M 39.65448 19.98473 39.64163 20.00168 1.9 2.04

25/04/2015 10:24 10:59 4-15M 39.26038 19.79242 39.24233 19.79775 1.8 1.96

23/04/2015 11:20 12:00 4-1M 39.84028 19.28047 39.85458 19.26572 2.0 2.03

23/04/2015 13:12 13:47 4-2M 39.84915 19.29083 39.86837 19.2789 2.2 2.37

23/04/2015 14:12 14:57 4-3M 39.8601 19.31275 39.8413 19.3222 1.6 2.24

23/04/2015 15:20 16:05 4-4M 39.8553 19.34077 39.83483 19.3424 1.7 2.28

26/04/2015 10:16 10:51 4-5M 39.26038 19.79242 39.24233 19.79775 1.9 2.15

26/04/2015 11:11 11:46 4-6M 39.25973 19.77075 39.2405 19.77378 2.0 2.15

26/04/2015 12:08 12:43 4-7M 39.25958 19.74813 39.24115 19.74758 2.0 2.05

26/04/2015 13:16 13:51 4-8M 39.26267 19.823 39.281 19.82365 1.9 2.05

26/04/2015 14:05 14:40 4-9M 39.28573 19.8471 39.30303 19.84787 1.8 1.93

25/04/2015 17:20 17:56 4-10M 39.49667 20.07922 39.479 20.07945 1.9 1.96

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Derelict Fishing Gear management system in the Adriatic Region

Italy

Table A5: Sampling data of sea surface surveys on 23rd of April 2015 near Cesenatico, Italy.

Sample ID 14 314 1014 2014

Sampling date (d/m/y) 23/04/2015 23/04/2015 23/04/2015 23/04/2015

Start point

Time 11:32 11:01 10:11 09:29

Lat (Y) 44°12.777 44°13.275 44°14.874 44°17.059

Lon (X) 12°24.189 12°25.862 12°30.672 12°37.399

Stop point

Time 11:52 11:21 10:31 09:49

Lat (Y) 44°13.680 44°12.330 44°15.107 44°17.705

Lon (X) 12°23.417 12°26.478 12°28.939 12°36.271

Average speed (kn) 4.1 knots 3.8 knots 3.9 knots

Transect length (nmi) 1.21 1.97 1.95 2.3

Sea state (0 - 9 D) 2 2 0 2

Wind velocity (1 - 12 B) 2 2 0 2

Wind direction (°) N-NW N / S/SW

Table A6: Sampling data of sea surface surveys on 14th of May 2015 near Porto Garibaldi, Italy.

Sample ID 4 304 1004 2004

Sampling date (d/m/y) 14/05/2015 14/05/2015 14/05/2015 14/05/2015

Start point

Time 11:06 10:36 09:55 09:10

Lat (Y) 44°39.558 44°39.327 44°38.720 44°37.510

Lon (X) 12°15.492 12°17.410 12°22.576 12°28.500

Stop point

Time 11:26 10:56 10:15 09:30

Lat (Y) 44°38.474 44°38.296 44°37.794 44°37.351

Lon (X) 12°16.286 12°17.039 12°23.519 12°29.750

Average speed (kn) 4.2 knots 4.2 knots 3.4 knots

Transect length (nmi) 1.8 2.3 2 2.1

Sea state (0 - 9 D) 2 2 1 2

Wind velocity (1 - 12 B) 2 2 1 2

Wind direction (°) SW NE NE NW

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Derelict Fishing Gear management system in the Adriatic Region

Slovenia

Table A7: Sampling data of sea surface surveys on 11th of May 2015, Slovenia.

Sample ID S1 S2 S3 S4

Sampling date 11/5/2015 11/5/2015 11/5/2015 11/5/2015

Start point

Time 9:20 10:48 12:30 13:15

Lat (Y) 45°29`88.7`` 45°32`689 45°33`35.2`` 45°33`46.3``

Lon (X) 13°33`58.6`` 13°33`160 13°36`84.9`` 13°40`45.6``

Stop point

Time 10:00 10:05 12:50 13:42

Lat (Y) 45°30`74.6`` 45°32`993 45°33`42.2`` 45°33`51.9``

Lon (X) 13°32`22.7`` 13°34`950 13°38`62.3`` 13°42`22.8``

Average speed (kn) 2.5 2.1 2.5 3

Transect length (nmi) 1.242 1.295 1.242 1.249

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Derelict Fishing Gear management system in the Adriatic Region

Appendix 2: Size distribution – sea surface

Greece

Table A8: Number of microplastic particles according to its length, Greece.

Sample name Category Nr of particles

< 1 mm Nr of particles

1 – 5 mm Nr of particles

> 5 mm

4-1M fragments 35 6 filaments

4-2M fragments 144 51 5 filaments

4-3M fragments 116 57 12 filaments

4-4M fragments 56 53 6 filaments

4-5M fragments 316 154 19 filaments

4-6M fragments 184 92 7 filaments

4-7M fragments 216 115 9 filaments

4-8M fragments 340 273 19 filaments

4-9M fragments 140 62 5 filaments

4-10M fragments 176 58 3 filaments

4-11M fragments 96 37

filaments

4-12M fragments 260 81 3 filaments

4-13M fragments 64 38

filaments

4-14M fragments 72 55 2 filaments

4-15M fragments 664 405 37

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Derelict Fishing Gear management system in the Adriatic Region

Italy

Table A9: Results of image analyses: average, standard deviation, maximum and minimum length of the different microplastic categories collected in the sea surface sampling transects for the year 2015, Italy.

Data Sample name

Category Nr of particles

5 - 0.3 mm Average length

± SD (mm) Max length

(mm) Min length

(mm)

2015-05-14 PG4_S fragments 755 1.22 ± 1.00 7.59 0.18

2015-05-14 PG4_S films 38 2.88 ± 1.98 7.93 0.38

2015-05-14 PG4_S granules 20 0.56 ± 0.25 1.15 0.11

2015-05-14 PG4_S foam 6 1.20 ± 0.43 1.82 0.62

2015-05-14 304_S fragments 152 1.21 ± 0.84 4.66 0.3

2015-05-14 304_S filaments 1 - - -

2015-05-14 304_S films 10 3.75 ± 2.14 7.8 1.04

2015-05-14 304_S granules 1 - - -

2015-05-14 304_S foam 4 1.41 ± 0.17 1.61 1.2

2015-05-14 1004_S fragments 32 1.98 ± 1.26 5.18 0.49

2015-05-14 1004_S films 5 6.04 ± 2.30 8.6 2.66

2015-05-14 1004_S granules 1 - - -

2015-05-14 1004_S foam 2 5.03 ± 2.48 6.79 3.28

2015-05-14 2004_S fragments 12 1.68 ± 0.76 3.46 0.56

2015-05-14 2004_S filaments 1 - - -

2015-05-14 2004_S films 4 1.85 ± 0.66 2.33 0.92

2015-05-14 2004_S foam 2 2.92 ± 1.70 4.12 1.71

2015-04-23 C14_S fragments 469 1.31 ± 1.74 17.28 0.25

2015-04-23 C14_S filaments 27 2.26 ± 2.72 15.87 0.27

2015-04-23 C14_S films 9 3.41 ± 2.90 15.87 0.3

2015-04-23 C14_S granules 5 0.58 ± 0.80 3.87 0.29

2015-04-23 C14_S foam 54 3.78 ± 2.35 15.87 0.29

2015-04-23 314_S fragments 22 1.33 ± 1.88 17.28 0.25

2015-04-23 314_S films 6 3.57 ± 2.79 17.28 0.74

2015-04-23 314_S foam 3 1.66 ± 2.79 17.28 0.74

2015-04-23 1014_S fragments 3469 2.24 ± 1.31 10.38 0.31

2015-04-23 1014_S filaments 7 9.12 ± 2.65 17.28 0.98

2015-04-23 1014_S films 772 5.04 ± 2.22 16.89 0.26

2015-04-23 1014_S pellets 28 3.92 ± 1.53 5.21 0.39

2015-04-23 1014_S granules 104 0.69 ± 1.10 6.7 0.31

2015-04-23 1014_S foam 161 2.33 ± 1.37 7.26 0.26

2015-04-23 2014_S fragments 17 3.12 ± 1.76 6.61 0.62

2015-04-23 2014_S films 2 4.48 ± 1.84 7.73 0.62

2015-04-23 2014_S foam 6 3.09 ± 1.87 7.73 0.62

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Slovenia

Table A10: results of image analyses: Number of particles in each category, average length with standard deviation, maximum and minimum length of particles [mm] in sea surface samples from August 2015, Slovenia.

Sample name Category Nr of particles Average

length (mm) Max length

(mm) Min length

(mm)

S1 fragments 527 2.68 ± 1.24 4.99 0.02

films 17 2.38 ± 1.53 4.63 0.02 foam 3 1.99 ± 0.27 2.16 1.67

granules 2 0.36 ± 0.21 0.51 0.20 other 40 1.75 ± 1.15 5.00 0.05

S2 fragments 155 2.47 ± 1.09 4.98 0.02 films 20 2.77 ± 1.40 4.29 0.03 foam 1 1.36 - - granules 3 0.92 ± 0.12 1.03 0.80 other 20 1.55 ± 0.66 3.00 0.56

S3 fragments 98 2.08 ± 1.04 4.73 0.07 films 2 3.05 ± 2.23 4.63 1.47

foam 1 2.00 - - other 5 1.42 ± 0.85 2.00 0.52

S4 fragments 175 2.29 ± 1.28 4.98 0.28 other 8 0.86 ± 0.48 2.00 0.27