Marine plastic pollution impacts on ecosystem services and livelihoods in South Africa: a review and stakeholder perceptions

Abstract

Marine plastic pollution is one of the major environmental problems globally, with adverse impacts on marine ecosystem services, functions and benefits and people. Yet, compared to plastic pollution impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, the impacts of plastic waste on marine ecosystems are little studied and poorly understood in South Africa. In response, research interest on the ecological and economic impacts of marine plastic pollution has grown rapidly but socio-cultural impacts remain poorly conceptualized and little understudied. This trend is arguably driven by the dominance of a quantitative paradigm which is arguably inadequate to respond to dynamic socio-cultural issues and contexts. Further, in South Africa, marine ecosystems are used by diverse groups of people ranging from subsistence users, tourism operators, commercial fishers and recreational users, meaning that addressing marine plastic pollution requires a multi-stakeholder approach. However, few studies explore the perceptions of diverse stakeholders regarding marine plastic pollution, its impacts and potential interventions. Against this background, the objective of the thesis are twofold: (a) to argue for a more nuanced understanding of marine plastic pollution impacts on human well-being in order to strengthen conceptualization of impacts that goes beyond direct and quantitatively measured impacts (ecological, health and economic) but considers the socio-cultural dimensions of impacts (lifestyle disruptions, mental health costs and cultural and heritage impacts), and (b) examine stakeholders' perceptions of marine plastic pollution, its impacts and potential interventions in South Africa. Drawing on case studies, this study provides a working definition of the socio-cultural impacts of marine plastic pollution and a conceptual framework for categorizing the impacts. It highlights three dimensions of the socio-cultural impacts of marine plastic pollution (lifestyle, mental health, and cultural and heritage impacts). It also illustrates connections between marine ecosystems and marine-based livelihood activities with the social and cultural dimensions of human wellbeing to show the links between marine environments and socio-cultural contexts. Concerning stakeholder perceptions, the study showed a tendency to associate marine plastic pollution with immediate, noticeable and easily quantifiable ecological impacts such as entanglement and ingestion of marine organisms, economic impacts and social impacts (e.g., loss of aesthetic appeal). However, secondary impacts such as loss of marine biodiversity and social impacts such as human health, were largely unknown. Moreover, there was heterogeneity in perceptions of marine plastic pollution impacts among the stakeholder groups. Prospective studies researching marine plastic pollution impacts should consider divergent and diverse perceptions of different stakeholders to capture the real costs of marine plastic pollution.