Perception and Awareness of Marine Plastic Pollution in Selected Tourism Beaches of Barobo, Surigao del Sur, Philippines

作者：Sherley Ann T. Inocente, Carlo S. GUTIERREZ, Maria Pia M Sison, John Roderick V. Madarcos, Judea Christine M. REQUIRON, Christine Joy M. Pacilan, Shiela Mae M. Gaboy, Jayson Leigh M. Segovia, Hernando P. Bacosa · 发表于：Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.14505/jemt.v14.5(69).18 · 被引用次数：6 · 研究领域：Microplastics and Plastic Pollution、Environmental Engineering and Cultural Studies

Tourism is a significant economic activity in coastal communities, but when badly managed, it degrades the health of the marine-coastal ecosystem, increasing litter pollution and repels beach visitors. This study aims to assess the tourism impact on litter pollution on four growing tourism beaches of Barobo, Surigao del Sur, Philippines. Plastic litters were sampled from four tourism sites (Cabgan Island, Turtle Island, Dapdap Beach, Panaraga Beach) of Barobo by establishing transect lines with quadrats. Those who agreed to participate in perception and knowledge tests about marine debris were interviewed at the aforementioned beaches. Respondents was generally aware of marine pollution problems, specifically marine pollution relating to human and ecological health. Respondents identified tourism as a main litter source and plastic packaging as the most common litter type, which is true based on macrolitter collection. Because tourism causes plastic pollution on all of the beaches studied, stronger regulations, educational, and awareness efforts are crucial to reduce litter pollution and avert ecological and socioeconomic consequences. Structured Abstract: Purpose: Tourism plays a big role in the economic status of a country. It provides livelihood to the community and helps in poverty elevation. But tourism also brings pollution, i.e., plastic pollution, if not properly managed. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the perception and awareness of tourists on pl...