The large number of vessels en route within Malaysia Territorial Water through
Malacca Straits has introduced pressures on the marine environment, particularly from
shipborne garbage. Thus, this study adopted a standard method of beach marine debris
survey and shipborne garbage survey to assess the types, amount, categories and sources of
debris at five public beaches during monsoon seasons and 115 vessels were selected en
route through Malacca Straits at five ports in Malaysia. The mean total beach debris item
collected was 961 item/km and categorized during marine debris surveys between October
2012 and August 2014. Debris accumulation was more abundant during SWM, while,
plastic category (88.48%) dominating debris items collected at this study. As for shipborne
garbage survey, the mean total shipborne garbage item and weight collected was 182
item/vessel and categorized on the vessels between October 2012 and October 2014.
Shipborne garbage abundance is influenced by number of crews, vessels’ gross tonnage and
ship type. This study found, vessel visiting Malaysian ports observed the MARPOL 73/78
Annex V requirements, however, identified objects from shipping activity (1.3%; 2
items/km) found on the beaches indicates there are vessels discharging garbage illegally at
sea. Therefore, promulgating awareness and educate the general public on pathway of
marine debris needs to be collaborated with public participation to instill consciousness
through environmental education. This effort may be small but the impact as a result of this
action will reduce the amount waste dispose of at sea tremendously