The economic cost and control of marine debris damage in the Asia-Pacific region

Oceans in the Asia-Pacific region are being impacted by increasing levels of marine debris, with many governments unaware of the extent that marine debris damages marine industries, the economy and the marine environment. We examine the economic costs associated with marine debris and present a simp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inOcean & coastal management Vol. 54; no. 9; pp. 643 - 651
Main Authors McIlgorm, Alistair, Campbell, Harry F., Rule, Michael J.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2011
Elsevier
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Summary:Oceans in the Asia-Pacific region are being impacted by increasing levels of marine debris, with many governments unaware of the extent that marine debris damages marine industries, the economy and the marine environment. We examine the economic costs associated with marine debris and present a simple marine debris cycle model to discuss the costs and benefits of prevention, clean-up and the benefits of using biodegradable materials. For the 21 economies of the Asia- Pacific rim we estimate that marine debris-related damage to marine industries costs US$1.26bn per annum in 2008 terms. Marine debris imposes an avoidable cost that can be reduced through policy implementation to economically optimal levels. Options to control debris, using regulations, technical intervention and market based instruments, may have a role. In this pollution policy area, additional economic cost data are required to inform governments on the most economical ways to control levels of marine debris. ► Marine debris damages marine shipping, fishing and tourism industries and the environment. ► Marine debris damage to Asia-Pacific Rim marine industries was US$1.26bn p.a. (2008). ► Marine debris is an avoidable cost. ► How do we achieve the optimum level of marine debris? ► Which regulations and market based instruments are suitable?
Bibliography:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2011.05.007
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ISSN:0964-5691
1873-524X
DOI:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2011.05.007