Italian DeFishGear project partner ISPRA (Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) performed 2 beach litter sampling campaigns in the selected sites in the 2 time periods: from the 20th to 24th of October and 13th and 14th of November 2014.

These sampling areas were chosen for their characteristics according to the MSFD TG10 guidelines and are located in the Po River Delta near Chioggia (2 sites) and in the Marine Protected Area of Torre del Cerrano (2 sites) along the coast of Abruzzo Region.

In these beaches the litter census was undertaken in two strips of 100x10 m using the categories reported in the Master List of MSFD TG10.

These surveys show differences between the two sampling areas and some particular items are confirmed to be geographical concerns. This is probably due to different factors affecting the litter spectrum of the area: presence of the rivers (Po River), mussel farming, tourism etc.

These preliminary results are to be confirmed by further samplings and data analysis.