Social media as a novel source of data on the impact of marine litter on megafauna: The Philippines as a case study

Marine litter is a global threat to marine biodiversity. However, there is a key knowledge gap on the impacts of marine litter in the Philippines – a country of high marine biodiversity and large exclusive economic zone. This gap is addressed here by using information shared on the internet by citiz...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 140; pp. 51 - 59
Main Authors:	Abreo, Neil Angelo S., Thompson, Kirsten F., Arabejo, Glio Florgiley P., Superio, Michael Dann A.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2019 Elsevier BV
Subjects:	Animals Aquatic Organisms Biodiversity Case studies Cetacea Citizen science Dietary Exposure - adverse effects Digital media Economics Environment Environmental Exposure - adverse effects Exclusive economic zones Fishes Humans Ingestion Interactions Litter Marine debris Marine pollution Megafauna Philippines Plastic Plastics Pollution Social media Social Media - statistics & numerical data Social networks Spatial distribution Species Turtles Waste Products Water Pollution Philippines Pollution Plastic Citizen science Social media Philippines Marine debris
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Summary:	Marine litter is a global threat to marine biodiversity. However, there is a key knowledge gap on the impacts of marine litter in the Philippines – a country of high marine biodiversity and large exclusive economic zone. This gap is addressed here by using information shared on the internet by citizen scientists and conservation groups to assess the impacts of marine litter on megafauna. Facebook, presently the largest social media platform, was scanned for posts concerning the interaction between litter and marine species in the Philippines. Results showed thirty-two individuals from 17 species were affected by marine litter in the country. Furthermore, ingestion (61%) was the most frequent interaction reported. Mindanao was also identified as a hotspot for marine litter interactions. The study highlights the utility of social media in providing data to create an inventory of marine species adversely affected by litter and the spatial distribution of these interactions. •Davao Gulf in the island of Mindanao is a possible hotspot of marine litter and wildlife interaction.•At least 17 marine megafauna species are reported to have interacted with marine litter.•Ingestion is the most common type of interaction between marine litter and wildlife reported in social media.
ISSN:	0025-326X 1879-3363
DOI:	10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.01.030