Strandings and debris accumulation on San Lázaro Beach: insights into an effective coastal trap

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Abstract

Strandings of marine fauna and the accumulation of floating debris are complex phenomena driven by interactions between oceanographic processes and human activities. San Lázaro Beach, located in the Gulf of Ulloa, Baja California Sur, Mexico, has been identified as a recurrent stranding site for sea turtles; however, the simultaneous accumulation of organic remains and marine debris in this area has not been system-atically evaluated. This study aimed to characterize the composition and spatial distribution of stranded objects along 50 km of coastline during two seasons (summer and autumn), using transects oriented parallel and per-pendicular to the shoreline. Marine turtle remains, other marine fauna remains, marine vegetation, and various types of solid waste were recorded. Analyses showed that accumulation was significantly higher in parallel transects, with a predominance of organic materials. Seasonal patterns of marine turtle remains abundance varied by analysis level: specific transects showed higher values in autumn, while site-level aggregation revealed greater overall abundance in summer, especially at central stranding hotspots. These results suggest that beach orientation, in combination with the direction of the California Current, promotes the formation of a coastal retention zone that favors the recurrent accumulation of animal remains and floating debris. This phenomenon has direct implications for coastal monitoring, sea turtle conservation, and marine debris management along the western coast of the Baja California peninsula.

Salinas-Zavala, C., Morales-Zárate, M., Retana-Arellano, J., & López-Ramirez, J. (2026). Strandings and debris accumulation on San Lázaro Beach: insights into an effective coastal trap. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research, 54(4). doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3856/vol54-issue4-fulltext-3544

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