Community Perception and Mitigation Strategies for Macro Litter in Escravos Estuary, Southern Nigeria

Macro litter is a global environmental challenge with ecological, social, and economic implications for coastal zones such as the Escravos Estuary in Nigeria. This study examined community perceptions and mitigation preferences using a structured survey administered to 161 residents of the Escravos Estuary. Results indicated that awareness levels were substantial, with most respondents (76.6%) recognising macro litter as a major environmental concern. Macro litter was widely perceived to impose negative livelihood impacts, particularly among fishing-dependent households, where damaged gear, reduced catch rates, and income loss were frequently reported. Business-related effects were also identified, with most respondents (78.4%) noting increased operational costs and reduced customer patronage (58.0%) associated with littered surroundings. Social perceptions reinforced these findings, with some respondents (59.3%) strongly agreeing that macro litter poses a present and future environmental risk. Most respondents (79.0%) acknowledged the daily impacts of macro litter on quality of life. Ordinal analyses indicated limited demographic differentiation in awareness levels, although gender demonstrated a weak association. These findings suggest that awareness and concerns were broadly distributed within the surveyed population. Community-driven strategies received strong support, as most respondents (96.9%) affirmed the effectiveness of cleanups and supported policies promoting reusable products over single-use plastics. Building on these findings, a phased implementation roadmap is proposed, integrating community mobilisation, livelihood-sensitive interventions, infrastructure strengthening, regulatory enforcement, and measurable monitoring indicators. Such locally grounded strategies are essential for reducing macro litter through participatory approaches in estuarine systems while enhancing socioeconomic resilience and environmental sustainability.