Strenghtening Community Capacity for Reducing Marine Debris

Marine debris is an ever growing environmental and human health concern. Beach litter is a major contributor to the issue of marine debris, especially in the Global South where often lack of awareness and lack of policy enforcement are factors that promote continuous littering of beaches in coastal communities. Under the community-based, participatory action framework, this study will examine how beach users and other local key stakeholders in the fishing and tourism sectors as well as non-governmental organizations in the coastal communities under study perceive waste in their environment. The case study will explore ways of improving awareness and environmental education of beach users. The research will investigate ways to reduce littering of waste on beaches. Results from this research will help to provide suggestions for local decision makers for the design of policies and educational strategies that effectively address marine debris and beach littering.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jutta Gutberlet

Student:

Partner:

Universidade de São Paulo

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Victoria

Program: