AUTHOR=Garcia-Vazquez Eva , Garcia-Ael Cristina , Mesa Maritza Librada Cáceres , Dopico Eduardo , Rodriguez Noemi 

TITLE=Enhancing marine citizenship as a strategy to promote the reduction of single-use plastics consumption in different cultures

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Marine Science

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.941694

DOI=10.3389/fmars.2022.941694

ISSN=2296-7745

ABSTRACT=Single-use plastics (SUP) coming from the land represent a large fraction of the marine plastic debris that threatens the ocean biota today, and are one of the main causes of microplastics pollution. Consumer behavior is essential to stop the use and improper disposal of SUP, replacing plastic with alternative eco-friendly products. For the evident plastic pollution of beaches and seas, marine citizenship, interpreted as the personal responsibility that individuals take for the oceans, could help to reduce SUP use and change to sustainable alternatives. Here we studied SUP consumption behaviors in Spain (n = 585) and Mexico (n = 337) using multivariate multiple regression approach. Different policies and social norms in the two countries were reflected in reduced SUP use in Mexico in comparison with Spain, and more recycling in Spain than in Mexico. Main reasons for the use of SUP were the lack of alternatives and forgetting reusable goods in the two countries. Feeling responsible for the ocean predicted the intention to use of eco-friendly alternatives, while the sea frequentation predicted recycling. Gender, age and education influenced significantly the willingness to use eco-friendly alternatives. From the results of this study, campaigns promoting awareness through increased marine citizenship - even in regions far from the sea- could promote reductions in SUP consumption, enhancing the use of sustainable alternatives. Those campaigns could be tailored by country taking into account local policies and habits, gender, age, and education levels.