• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.306-315
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• 2005

The distribution and composition of marine floating debris were recorded from a training ship 'Kyeongyang' of Gangwon Provincial University at May 19-29, 2004 and Aug.24-31, 2004. The sampled area is the middle part of East Sea of Korea(the coast of Gangwondo and region of Ulleung island and Tokdo), divided into 27 unit segments on survey areas. Debris fabrication materials were categorized with 6 items using the following; styrofoam, paper & cardboard, net & rope, vinyl & plastic, floating metal & glass, man-made or natural wood. From the investigation on May,2004, total numbers of marine floating debris in the middle part of the East Sea of Korea was 996 individuals. The No. 1 and No. 2 unit segment located at south-west region of Ulleung Island showed higher density than others. The styrofoam and vinyl & plastic accounted for 72.8% of all debris fabrication materials. From the investigation on August, 2004, total numbers of marine floating debris in the coast of the Gangwondo of Korea was 2,473 individuals. The No. 13 and No. 14 unit segment located at the vicinity of Samcheok showed higher density than others. The styrofoam and vinyl & plastic amounted to 76.1%. In the coast of the Gangwondo, the vinyl & plastic showed the highest density of 6 items were 41.3% and 68.0% on May and August, respectively. The total numbers of marine floating debris on May and August were 3,399 individuals. Vinyl & plastic accounted for 59.4%(2,019 ind.) among all debris, next styrofoam 15.8%(537 ind.) and wood 11.2%(379 ind.).