From Data to Solutions: How Beach Monitoring in the Philippines and Timor-Leste Helps Shape Policies on Marine Plastics

^{Setting up the transects of the monitoring site along the coast of Barangay San Agustin Sur,Tandag City, in preparation for the actual beach monitoring activity. (Photo by PEMSEA/J.Castillo)}

 

Marine plastics is one of the biggest threats that hound the East Asian Seas region, but universities and NGOs in the Philippines and Timor-Leste are geared to change that, believing that data-driven solutions through beach monitoring can help push interventions and policies on the growing threat of marine plastics pollution.  

 

According to Ritchie and Rosner (2021), the Philippines generated 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste in 2019 alone. Inadequate waste management infrastructure exacerbates the problem as only 40% of the country’s waste is properly managed, while the rest is burned, dumped in landfills, or swept into the sea.  

 

Timor-Leste, albeit smaller in scale, faces similar challenges. Limited infrastructure and resources mean that only 20% of the urban population has access to proper waste management services. Most waste is either burned or dumped in open areas, leading to pollution and health risks.

 

Both countries have taken steps to address the issues. In the Philippines, the National Plan of Action for Marine Litter (NPOA-ML) was launched in 2021, while Timor-Leste committed to the “Zero Waste Timor-Leste” program. To drive these policies forward means translating data into actionable solutions, helping governments craft policies to tackle the growing threat of marine plastics.  

Emulating RoKorea’s successful beach monitoring program

 

The beach monitoring methodology applied in the Philippines and Timor Leste aligns with international guidelines harmonized by UNEP, GESAMP, and IMO and emulates the method used by Ro Korea to ensure data consistency and comparability.  

 

“We want to know scientifically if the Philippines is really producing as much plastic as reports claim,” said Dr. Won Tae Shin, Regional Project Manager of the MOF/PEMSEA ODA Project Reducing Marine Plastics in the East Asian Seas Region and allows for the observation of trends over time, which can be compared with data from Ro Korea.
 

 

Local Collaborations and the Role of Communities

 

Beach monitoring sites are carefully selected based on strict criteria, including accessibility, safety, minimal human interference, and sufficient space for surveys. These sites are marked as designated monitoring areas to prevent artificial damage, littering, and disruption by people, to make sure of the accuracy of the data collected. Local communities are also actively encouraged to participate in protecting these areas.
 

 

^{A marker was installed with the help of the local community in Tandag City.}

 

Universities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a pivotal role in the data collection process. Trained personnel conduct surveys across four transects per site, counting and weighing plastic items to assess pollution levels. Each monitoring area spans approximately 100 meters, with a 10-meter buffer zone between the high tide line and vegetation. This buffer allows plastic debris to accumulate naturally, ensuring more accurate and reliable data.

 

 

^{Beach monitoring personnel assess the weight of marine plastics collected in a Puerto Princesa City monitoring site.}

 

The data gathered from these efforts are shown through the East Asian Seas Marine Plastics Data Center, a platform designed to facilitate data sharing with stakeholders including government entities, academic institutions, and the public and track long-term trends.

Beyond the scientific objectives, Dr. Shin emphasizes the importance of community engagement. "More than gathering accurate data, the beach monitoring program also aims to raise awareness and engage the community to care about their coasts and seas," he explains.

 

Through involving local residents, students, and NGOs, the program not only collects critical data but also educates communities about the impact of marine plastic pollution on their ecosystems and livelihoods.

 

2024 in Numbers

 

The twelve sites in the Philippines accounted for 13,642 pieces of marine litter, while six Timor-Leste sites recorded 15,094 pieces, slightly higher, despite the small number of monitoring sites.

 

From the total litter collected, 24,975 pieces were identified as domestic waste, originating from local sources. In contrast, 3,761 pieces were classified as foreign waste, likely carried by ocean currents from neighboring countries.

 

Plastics dominated the debris, making up 24,139 pieces of the total litter. This includes hard plastics, film plastics, and other plastic items, which have significant threats to marine ecosystems and wildlife. Non-plastic waste, such as glass, metal, and organic materials, accounted for 4,597 pieces, representing a smaller but still concerning portion of the total litter.

 

Looking Ahead

The ultimate goal of the beach monitoring program is to provide scientific data that informs and shapes policy and initiatives for the effective management of marine plastics.  “Sustainability means that this program should continue beyond the project,” said Dr. Shin. “Either the monitoring institutes, local governments, or national governments will have to adopt and mainstream this good practice into their programs.”  

 

The beach monitoring program provides evidence-based foundations for evaluating various interventions implemented by public and private sectors, as well as local communities. Such data-driven insights are important for refining strategies and scaling up efforts to combat the growing crisis of marine plastics.

 

About the project

 

The MOF/PEMSEA ODA Marine Plastics Project began in 2023 and aims to reduce ocean-bound plastics across 10 towns and cities in the Philippines and Timor-Leste. The project seeks to protect marine ecosystems and public health by addressing plastic pollution through a collaborative "whole-of-government" approach. This involves coordinated efforts among government agencies, industries, civil society, and local communities.

 

A core component of the project involves beach monitoring to identify the sources and flow of plastic waste while evaluating opportunities for improved waste management. It engaged nine local academic institutions and one NGO to conduct beach monitoring activities in the Philippines and Timor-Leste with the help of a Monitoring of Marine Plastic Debris manual.

 

In the Philippines, the participating institutions include Sorsogon State University-Bulan Campus, Northwest Samar State University, Cebu Technological University-Daanbantayan Campus, DMC College Foundation Inc., Palawan State University, and North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU). Meanwhile, in Timor-Leste, the effort is led by Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa'e (UNTL), Universidade Oriental Timor Lorosa'e, and the NGO Roman Luan.

 

For more information, click to visit the East Asian Seas Marine Plastics Data Center