The statewide threat and risk assessment of the NSW marine estate (NSW TARA), overseen by the Marine Estate Management Authority (MEMA), prioritised marine debris as a significant threat (MEMA 2017). Previously, the direct impacts of marine debris in New South Wales had not been well studied. Even so, strategic management is needed, using the best available data and knowledge, to reduce the negative impacts of marine debris.

The recently released Marine Debris Threat and Risk Assessment (MDTARA) report assessed the risks posed by marine debris to the marine estate in NSW. Commonly found debris items and their impacts on 7 fauna groups (environmental assets) and 6 social values were investigated. Impacts were assessed through an expert elicitation process and used to determine risk levels of identified item and asset/value combinations. Results were mapped with debris location and density to show how risk is spread over the NSW marine estate. Greater understanding of the risks posed by marine debris will assist in tackling the problem now and in the future.

Key findings

The MDTARA identified the types of marine debris that pose the greatest threats to the marine estate in NSW and prioritised them for future research and action. Mapping using debris data highlighted hotspot areas at highest risk from the impacts of debris and knowledge gaps to investigate further.

The infographic in Figure 1 summarises the key findings of the MDTARA.