News
Most plastic debris on beaches comes from far-off sources
Lankan plastic debris found on beaches in the Seychelles
Vast amounts of plastic debris accumulate on beaches across the Seychelles and other small island developing states including Sri Lanka, and an observational analysis (for instance, plastic bottle labels) suggest that much of this waste originates from distant sources and not from the islands themselves.
But until now, the likely sources of this debris have not been quantified, says a new study by the University of Oxford.
“Indonesia is the primary source of land-based plastic debris found on beaches in the Seychelles, with major contributions from India and Sri Lanka,” it said.
The study led by the University of Oxford investigated by developing a high-resolution model that simulated the movement of plastic debris across the world’s oceans. This used input data on ocean currents, waves, and winds, and plastic debris entering the ocean from coastal populations, rivers and fisheries, to predict plastic debris accumulation at 27 sites in the Seychelles and wider western Indian ocean. The results have been published in Marine Pollution Bulletin.
The researchers modelled the likely sources of both land-based and marine types of plastic pollution.
Key findings:
• Indonesia is the primary source of land-based plastic debris found on beaches in the Seychelles, with major contributions from India and Sri Lanka. This was particularly the case for medium-large debris that have a high buoyancy (such as bottle caps, sandals, bottles, and small domestic items).
• Plastic debris arriving from Indonesia would have been at sea for at least 6 months, with some exceeding 2 years.
• Smaller plastic debris, such as millimetre-sized plastic fragments and pellets, tended to originate from East Africa and from within the Seychelles itself. Smaller fragments are less buoyant than larger items, and do not travel as far before sinking.
• The Seychelles also accumulate significant amounts of plastic debris of marine origin from fisheries and shipping lanes, such as discarded or lost fishing gear. The large numbers of bottles beaching at these islands with labels suggesting they come from Malaysia, Thailand and, in particular, China, were probably discarded from ships rather than floating from those countries directly. For some islands, a significantly higher proportion of plastic waste comes from marine sources, rather than land.
• Rates of plastic debris accumulation showed a strong seasonal affect. Plastic debris from both land and marine sources was most likely to land on beaches in the Seychelles at the end of the northwest monsoon, with the highest rates in March and April.
• Plastic debris accumulation may also be amplified by El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD, also known as the Indian Niño) events.
This is the first study to produce a quantitative estimate of the sources of plastic debris for the Seychelles and other remote islands in the western Indian Ocean. Such plastic pollution is a significant environmental threat, both for marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on the ocean for food, tourism, and other economic activities. In addition, plastic debris that drifts from far-off sources increases the risk of spreading invasive species and diseases.
A previous study led by University of Oxford researchers estimated that over 500 tonnes of debris had accumulated at Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles, an ecologically valuable UNESCO World Heritage Site with zero permanent population.
Lead author of the current research, Noam Vogt-Vincent (Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford), said ‘We have combined observational data from across the Seychelles with cutting-edge computer simulations to generate the most comprehensive predictions currently available for marine litter dispersal in the region. This will provide vital information for local management on these islands — many of which are global biodiversity hotspots — and to inform national and international responses.’
According to the researchers, the results illustrate the sheer scale of the plastic pollution challenge facing small island developing states, and makes the need for a global plastic treaty more urgent than ever. This could include, for instance, greater enforcement of policies that forbid the disposal of fishing gear and other plastics at sea. The findings also build on the ever-growing evidence that investing in waste management systems and implementing policies for waste disposal at the main source nations is the number one action to prevent land-based litter arriving at remote island sites.
Knowing when plastic debris accumulation is likely to peak could help to plan mitigation efforts. For instance, the results suggest that beach clean-ups should take place after peak debris accumulation (i.e. May to June) to reduce the likelihood of plastic debris breaking down into smaller fragments and impacting ecosystems.
Co-author Dr April Burt (Seychelles Islands Foundation and University of Oxford) said: ‘These islands are faced with the deeply inequitable situation of bearing the costs of removing waste they were not responsible for generating, contrary to the “polluter pays” principle. Our study has demonstrated that most of the plastic debris accumulating at these remote islands comes from far-off sources, and this should be the first positive step towards accountability and prevention.’
The study also involved researchers from the University of Montpellier; the Institut de Recherche pour le D’eveloppement, MARBEC; and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
During an operation conducted in the wee hours of Tuesday (23 Dec 25), the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing trawler and apprehended 12 Indian fishermen, while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters north of Talaimannar.
Recognizing the detrimental effects of poaching on marine resources and the livelihoods of local fishing communities, the Sri Lanka Navy continues to conduct regular operations as
proactive measures to deter such activities. These efforts underscore the collective robust approach steadfast commitment to safeguarding the nation’s marine ecosystems while ensuring the economic security and wellbeing of its citizens.
The fishing trawler along with the fishermen held in this operation was handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for onward legal proceedings.
India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. Subramaniam Jaishankar, met with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, on 23 December at Temple Trees, during his visit to Sri Lanka as the Special Envoy of Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
The meeting took place as part of the official visit aimed at holding discussions with Sri Lanka’s top leadership, at a time when the nation commenced reconstruction efforts following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
During the discussions, the Minister of External Affairs of India reaffirmed readiness to extend support for Sri Lanka, including assistance in rebuilding railways, bridges, and strengthening of the agricultural sector in the country. He also highlighted the importance of having effective systems in place to respond to disaster situations, supported by strong legislative, administrative, and institutional frameworks. Both sides reviewed ongoing relief efforts and explored avenues to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in disaster response and recovery.
The Prime Minister commended the Government of India for the continued support, noting that the recovery process following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah include beyond immediate relief efforts to long-term measures such as resettlement, and reconstruction of habilitation and infrastructure.
The Prime Minister further stated that steps have been taken to reopen schools as part of the process of restoring normalcy, with close monitoring in place. The Prime Minister emphasized the need to ensure stability, reduce vulnerability, and strengthen protection mechanisms highlighting the solidarity of the people, their strong spirit of volunteerism, and collective action demonstrated during the emergency situation.
The event was attended by the High Commissioner of India Santosh Jha, Additional Secretary (IOR), MEA Puneet Agrawal, Joint Secretary (EAMO), MEA Sandeep Kumar Bayyapu, Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, and representing Sri Lankan delegation, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary to the Prime minister Ms.Sagarika Bogahawatta, Director General (South Asia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Samantha Pathirana, Deputy Director, South Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms.Diana Perera.
[Prime minister’s media division]
Sri Lanka is standing on the edge of a coastal catastrophe, with the nation’s lifeline rapidly eroding under the combined assault of climate change, reckless development and weak compliance, Director General of the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management (DCC&CRM) Dr. Terney Pradeep Kumara has warned.
“This is no longer an environmental warning we can afford to ignore. The crisis is already unfolding before our eyes,” Dr. Kumara told The Island, cautioning that the degradation of Sri Lanka’s 1,620-kilometre coastline has reached a point where delayed action could trigger irreversible damage to ecosystems, livelihoods and national security.
He said accelerating coastal erosion, rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion and the collapse of natural barriers, such as coral reefs and mangroves, are placing entire coastal communities at risk. “When mangroves disappear and reefs are destroyed, villages lose their first line of defence. What follows are floods, loss of homes, declining fisheries and forced displacement,” he said.
Dr. Kumara stressed that the coastline is not merely a development frontier but the backbone of Sri Lanka’s economy and cultural identity. “More than half of our tourism assets, fisheries and key infrastructure are concentrated along the coast.
If the coast fails, the economy will feel the shock immediately,” he warned.
Condemning unregulated construction, illegal sand mining and environmentally blind infrastructure projects, he said short-term economic interests are pushing the coastline towards collapse. “We cannot keep fixing one eroding beach while creating three new erosion sites elsewhere. That is not management—it is destruction,” he said, calling for science-driven, ecosystem-based solutions instead of politically convenient quick fixes.
The Director General said the Department is intensifying enforcement and shifting towards integrated coastal zone management, but warned that laws alone will not save the coast. “This is a shared responsibility. Policymakers, developers, local authorities and the public must understand that every illegal structure, every destroyed mangrove, weakens the island’s natural shield,” he added.
With climate change intensifying storms and sea surges, Dr. Kumara warned that Sri Lanka’s vulnerability will only worsen without urgent, coordinated national action. “The sea has shaped this nation’s history and protected it for centuries. If we fail to protect the coast today, we will be remembered as the generation that allowed the island itself to be slowly eaten away,” he went on to say.
By Ifham Nizam
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