Brazil's "BBCBrasil" reported on January 23 that IO-USP and Plastivida monitored the situation on six beaches in Sao Paulo state, three beaches in Bahia state and three beaches in Alagoas state. Workers first cleared a sand patch in the beach and then went back at regular intervals for garbage collection.

The investigation found that the pollution in the beaches of Sao Paulo state was mainly caused by fishing activities, while the pollution in the northeastern states of Bahia and Alagoas was caused by tourism.

Biologist AlexanderTurra of IO-USP said the aim of the project was to educate people about environmental protection, to educate people about waste and to keep the oceans and beaches clean. "This study shows us that the problem of Marine litter is not a problem of coastal cities, it is a problem of all states and cities, it is a problem of basic sanitation, environmental education and social culture," said Turra. "He said.

Plastivida president MiguelBahiense said the problem could only be solved by the various sectors together. "We are engaging in awareness and education, which requires the joint participation of the whole society, including the authorities, various industries and ordinary people, because we are all working for a common purpose, which is to protect the ocean and the environment." "He said.

Not much research has been done on Marine litter, either in Brazil or abroad. More than 80 percent of Marine litter comes from land-based sources, such as waste from economic activities, municipal waste, poor management of waste from ports and tourism, as well as indiscriminate dumping of waste into streets and rivers, causing so-called diffuse pollution. Another 20 percent comes from the sea, from fishing, diving, cruise ships, etc.

In a ranking of Marine pollution published in 2015, Brazil ranked 16th. According to the report, between 70,000 and 190,000 tons of plastic waste are dumped on the beaches of coastal countries around the world each year.

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