Persistent marine debris in the summer tourist season along the west coast of Evia, Greece  <B>Persistent marine debris in the summer tourist season along the west coast of Evia, Greece</B><P>A.T. Williams and D. Markou</B><I><P> Centre of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Glamorgan, Wales, UK.</I><P> Abstract<P> Twelve beaches located in the vicinity of Eritrea on the large Greek island of Evia, were investigated for persistent marine debris. Six were Blue Flag beaches. The influence of physical factors on abundance and debris distribution on all beaches was negligible. Climatic conditions during the survey were constant (blue skies, hot temperatures) and currents in the beach vicinities were nonexistent. The surveys were related to the low, mid and high summer tourist season. No significant percentage differences were apparent in both quality and quantity of litter at each individual season. Cigarette ends were the dominant category of litter found, (some 70%) with a maximum number of 4,531 being found on a high season weekend, followed by plastics (some 13%) and this percentage was very constant for weekend and weekday counts per individual season. For example, during the high season, 72% to 71% for cigarette ends and 12% to 18% for plastics at non Blue Flag beaches; and 74% to 70% for cigarette ends and 12% to 13% for plastics respectively at Blue Flag beaches. Quantities of paper containers varied from a weekday high of 67 to a weekend high of 229 at Blue Flag beaches, and 161 to 261 respectively at non Blue Flag beaches. Quantities of metal containers varied during the same period from 99 to 281 at Blue Flag beaches and 67 to 164 for non Blue Flag beaches. However, large variations were found in the number of litter items found between weekday and weekend surveys; for example, 95 to 370 cigarette ends in the low season at the Island of Dreams beach. Bags and refreshment containers formed the bulk of the plastics. Greek coastal managers have to face a complex problem, world wide in extent. Increased legislation and improved public awareness might be a possible solution to this problem.<P>