Marine Ripple: The beneficial effects of the blue environment to human health and well-being are well documented, but there has been little research into how the growing global issue of marine litter might negate them.

To measure this, scientists in Plymouth assessed public reactions to the differing conditions of coastlines, in a project funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Participants were shown images of clean beaches and some featuring seaweed (natural debris), but also ones with quantities of fishing debris (such as rope, nets and packaging) and public litter (including drinks cans, plastic bottles, sweet and crisp wrappers).

The results – published in the journal Environment and Behaviour – showed the clean condition was consistently rated most positively, whereas the two littered conditions were rated more negatively, with the public litter condition being rated the worst.

To read more go to: http://www.pml.ac.uk/News/Marine_litter_can_undermine_benefits_of_coastal_en

To sign up to Marine Ripple go to: Plymouth Marine Laboratory

Marine Ripple is run on behalf of the UK Marine Science Coordination Committee.