Littering the beach of Sur Al-Hadid in Alseeb, Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

Pollution of the beaches by waste littering is one of the main human factors affecting beaches in terms of type and quantity of litters, and making these beaches lose their environmental and economic properties. The aim of this paper is to investigate the quantity and type of wastes that visitors litter along the beach of Sur Al-Hadid in the state of Al-Seeb, and to examine the public attitudes and perceptions as well as the coastal management strategies in order to keep these beaches clean and safe. The applied methodology involves both descriptive and analytical approaches supported by field work investigation. Results showed that the average daily waste reaches about 675 pieces a day, including 27 types of wastes. Recommendations focus on the need for a clear strategy to prevent the access of wastes to seawater and to raise the public awareness of keeping beaches clean.