Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS) is an increasingly popular site for recreational fishing and diving in the South
Atlantic Bight (SAB). As a result, there has been heightened concern about potential accumulation of marine debris and its consequent
effects on sanctuary resources. Field surveys were conducted at GRNMS in 2004 and 2005 to provide a spatially comprehensive characterization
of benthic communities and to quantify the distribution and abundance of marine debris in relation to bottom features. The
spatial distribution of debris was concentrated in the center of the sanctuary and was most frequently associated with ledges rather than
other bottom types. On ledges, the presence and abundance of debris was significantly related to observed boating activity and physiographic
features including ledge height, ledge area, and percent cover of benthic organisms. The results from this study will aid managers
in optimizing cleanup efforts and long-term monitoring of debris accumulation patterns at GRNMS and other hard bottom areas in the
SAB.
Published by Elsevier Ltd.