Assessment of Plastic Waste Pollution in Coastal Fishing Communities of Lagos State

Marine plastic pollution is a globally recognised environmental crisis with acute manifestation in West African coastal communities where waste management systems are inadequate and fishing communities depend directly on coastal ecosystem health. This study assesses the extent and sources of plastic waste pollution in three coastal fishing communities of Lagos State: Badore, Tarkwa Bay, and Ilashe. Beach transect surveys were conducted to measure plastic debris density, size distribution, and typology per standardised international protocols. Water surface sampling at five nearshore stations assessed floating plastic concentrations. Questionnaire interviews with 150 fishers and fishing household members collected data on waste disposal behaviour, awareness of plastic pollution effects, and observed changes in fishing environments. Findings indicate plastic debris densities ranging from 0.8 to 4.6 items per square metre at surveyed beach sections, with single-use packaging materials including sachets, bottles, and food wrappers constituting over 80 percent of collected items. Fishing nets and ropes represent the dominant large debris category, originating from both local and distant fishing operations. Over 67 percent of fishers report encountering plastics in their catches at increasing frequency. Community awareness of plastic pollution impacts on marine ecosystem health is moderate but not translating into improved disposal practices due to absence of accessible waste collection infrastructure. Recommendations include community waste collection points, fishing community plastic recovery incentive schemes, and advocacy for single-use plastic reduction policy. Keywords: plastic waste, coastal pollution, fishing communities, Lagos State, marine litter.