We conducted a rapid assessment survey in a scientific way in this project.Through improving the visual quantifying technique from Japan, we trained a group of surveyors to do periodical coastal rapid assessment surveys after trainings and repeat examination. Through the three times survey, it is estimated that the total standing stock of coastal debris of Taiwan is 940 tons. It accounted for 64% of the total volume on Taiwan Island, and the outer islands accounted for 36%. 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 28% of the total amount, which is the most polluted section of the coastline; followed by New TaipeiCity, Keelung, and Taoyuan section （15%）. The outlying islands account for 12% in Penghu, 12% in Kinmen, and 12% in Lianjiang. Analyzing the composition of marine debris, fishery-relevant debris accounts for about 69% 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. Through continuous monitoring, we can quantify the pollution level at each coast and identify the hot spots of marine debris, which can benefit authorities to plan effective cleanup strategies in the future.

Marine debris, Rapid assessment, Source analysis