DEPOSITION OF TRAWL WEB ON AN ALASKA BEACH AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF MARPOL ANNEX-V LEGISLATION

Deposition rate, mesh size, and weight of trawl web fragments washed a shore near Yakutat, Alaska, were monitored from 1988 to 1992 to examin e the effectiveness of 1988 MARPOL Annex V legislation to reduce the a mount of fishing gear and other plastics discarded or lost from ships at sea. Eight 1 km beach sections were surveyed twice each year, in Ma rch or April and September. The same sections had been surveyed previo usly, from 1985 to 1987. The mean deposition rate of trawl web (no. of pieces km-1 yr-1) from 1988 to 1992 declined from 10.1 to 3.8, a 60% reduction. The yearly mean deposition rate of trawl web from 1985 to 1 987 was nine pieces. The mesh size of trawl web also declined: about 2 0% of fragments washed ashore in 1988-92 had mesh sizes > 15 cm compar ed to 33% in 1985-87. Mean weight of trawl web fragments was similar w hen comparing 1985-87 fragments and 1988-92 fragments. Beach surveys i n Alaska show that the disposal or loss of trawl web at sea has declin ed since the implementation of MARPOL.