We conduct a rapid assessment survey in a scientific way in this project. Through improving the visual quantifying technique from Japan, we train a group of surveyors to do periodical coastal rapid assessment surveys after training and repeat examinations. Through the four seasons survey, it is estimated that the total standing stock of coastal debris of Taiwan is 1,426 tons. It accounted for 68% of the total volume on Taiwan Island, and the outer islands accounted for 32%. The eastern part of Taiwan only accounted for 5% of the total volume, making it the cleanest section of the coastline. Taiwan’s Changhua Yunlin Chiayi and Tainan section accounts for 37% of the total amount, which is the most polluted section of the coastline; followed by the Kaohsiung Pingtung section (11%). The outlying islands account for 11% in Penghu, 12% in Kinmen, and 9% in Matsu. Analyzing the composition of marine debris, fishery-relevant debris accounts for about 70% of the total garbage, of which foam buoys, fishing net ropes, hard plastic buoys, and plastic bottles are the top four types of marine debris. From the domestic environmental protection groups and several governmental statistic systems, the total amount of removal is 36,475 tons. Through continuous 4 times monitoring, we can quantify the pollution level at each coast and identify the hot spot of marine debris, which can benefit authorities to plan effective cleanup strategies in the future.

Marine debris, rapid assessment, source analysis