Marine habitats are spoiled with man-made debris, from the poles to the equator and from shorelines, estuaries and the sea surface to the depths of the ocean. The incidence
of marine debris is cause for concern for a number of reasons. It is known to be harmful to organisms and to human health. it has potential to increase the transport of organic and inorganic contaminants. it presents a hazard to shipping, and it is aesthetically detrimental, thus generating negative socio-economic consequences. The scale of the marine debris problem and its potential to negatively impact biodiversity has not been widely evaluated.