Participatory Research on Plastics in Malindi Seascape

Marine plastic pollution (MPP) combined with climate change presents a major ecological and socio-economic threat to fisheries and livelihoods. This study established a community-driven framework in Kenya's Malindi-Magarini Joint Co-Management Area (JCMA) to assess MPP impacts on artisanal fisheries and local livelihoods in November 2025. Utilizing a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, quantitative beach and seafloor litter monitoring was integrated with qualitative socio-economic surveys across five Beach Management Units (BMUs). Community members were trained to use standardized protocols to classify plastics, assess Abandoned, Lost, or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG), and conduct brand audits. Landings data (2014–2024) were cross-analysed with spatial hotspot mappings. Total fish catches declined from peak levels in 2015–2016 through 2022–2024. Reef-associated, mixed demersal groups dominate the catch, coinciding with high seafloor plastics and ALDFG concentrations (averaging up to 102.5 kg). Conversely, beach litter densities remained low-to-moderate (0.001 to 0.007 items/m2), consisting primarily of land-based household and tourism waste dominated by East African brands. Socio-economic data revealed important community awareness of pollution: fishers reported gear damage and thinner, migrating fish, while female processors faced supply deficits and diminished market value. The overlap between high-density benthic plastics/ALDFG and critical demersal habitats underscores a severe ecological threat via ghost fishing and habitat degradation. Fragmented but resilient community-led circular innovations exist, such as reusing plastics for mangrove nurseries. The study recommends transitioning from baseline assessments to sustained community-driven monitoring. Key priorities include strengthening BMU citizen science frameworks, establishing data-sharing platforms with regulatory authorities like NEMA, scaling women- and youth-led circular economic initiatives, and expanding microplastic analyses in commercially vital species.

Keywords

Marine Plastic Pollution; Fisheries; Participatory Research; Malindi-Magarini Seascape; Climate-Change; Citizen Science; Socioeconomics; Beach; Seafloor; Sea Surface.