DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF DEBRIS ON THE CONTINENTAL-SHELF OF THE BAY OF BISCAY AND IN SEINE BAY

The distribution and abundance of larger marine debris were investigat ed on the continental shelf of the Bay of Biscay and in Seine Bay duri ng six oceanographic cruises undertaken from November 1992 to Septembe r 1993. Different types of debris were enumerated, particularly plasti c bags and bottles, other plastic objects, metallic objects, glass and diverse materials including fishing gear. The results showed consider able annual and geographical variation in the Bay of Biscay, with peak abundance at the end of winter in an area off the Gironde Estuary whe re concentrations reached 14 debris per hectare. In all stations sampl ed, plastic bags accounted for a very high percentage (up to 95% or mo re) of total debris. In Seine Bay, only small amounts of debris were c ollected. All these results are interpreted with respect to hydrologic al conditions.