Vulnerability of Java Sea marine protected areas affected by marine debris

Abstract Marine Protected Areas (MPA) is an area that potentially poses stress from outside such as human activities and ocean pollution. One of the global issues that threat ecosystems include MPA is ocean debris. The aim of this paper is to assess vulnerability of MPA based on the trajectory of debris affected by oceanographic condition. Three MPAs were chosen in the Java Sea region including: Seribu Islands National Parks, Biawak Island Conservation Area, and Karimunjawa Islands National Parks. The data provided by The Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model surface current and Global Forecast System surface wind were used to determine the trajectory of the debris. We simulate the ocean condition in two monsoons. The results showed that debris floating around the MPAs have a potential of reaching beaches inside the MPAs and have different patterns between the monsoon. Furthermore, in Seribu Islands and Karimunjawa Islands which are designated as National Parks, the debris managed to land in the most crucial zones, Core Zone and Buffer Zone. Modelling of marine debris, such as the one used in this study can be used to inform authorities regarding the landing points of floating debris to create better management decisions in battling global marine debris issues.