Baggacouta

This slippery shapeshifter comes from a big family of troublemakers. In 2019, single-use plastic shopping bags were banned in New Zealand, followed by a ban on plastic produce bags in 2023. We are yet to see a significant decline in numbers on our coastlines, testament to the species’ longevity in the wild. They are also believed to contribute significantly to populations of soft plastic fragments. Litter Intelligence data has recorded 4,351 plastic baggacoutas caught so far, an average of seven per 1,000m2 of coastline surveyed. Our use of reusable bags can significantly reduce this number and finally phase them out for good.

Species discovered using insights.itterintelligence.org. Data sourced on 17 September 2024, New Zealand only. 

Blue Pod

This lethal species is a relative newcomer to New Zealand’s waters, but as we continue to vape, the numbers are beginning to surge. When old pods are discarded carelessly, because they are lightweight, they can easily enter stormwater drains that lead to the sea. Small with a deadly bite, its plastic and metal features contribute to marine pollution, whilst liquids leaking from vapes can also harm aquatic life and contaminate water. Overall this trash species poses a considerable danger to our ocean’s ecosystems, so keeping them at bay is vital.

Blue Snackerel

This crunchy intruder has been thriving in New Zealand waters for decades. It belongs to the wider ‘food wrappers’ family, which Litter Intelligence data tells us has been collected a colossal 39,013 times, making it the third most common trash species found on our beaches. Its nimble form allows it to breed, moving quickly from beach to sea and has had a damaging impact on natural food chains and inhabitants. Disposing of plastic wrappers will slow the outbreak, but using reusable containers stops them entering the water in the first place.

Cana

This spiky urchin has rapidly evolved from the land to the sea. Their tough metal exterior is harmful to other species, whilst aluminium can act as a toxic agent on gill-breathing animals such as fish. Litter Intelligence data shows 2,574 different soda drink weighing more than 50 kgs have been collected from our coastlines, along with 5.5 kgs of subspecies of metal caps, lids and pull tabs. Ushering all Cana into recycling bins can help prevent further outbreaks

Cling Crab

This crinkled critter has been sighted all around our coastlines. Now thriving freely in the wild, it’s wreaking havoc amongst crustaceans, in rock pools and on beaches. According to Litter Intelligence data, 36,733 unidentifiable soft plastic fragments have been collected so far, the fourth most common trash species on our beaches. Covering containers and wrapping your sandwiches in reusables will help stop these becoming a permanent trash species.

Clipi

These hardened blighters are regularly washing up on our shores. Journeying from gardens and backyards, flushing through drains and into our oceans, they really like to meddle with coastal sea life. Litter Intelligence data shows that 2,398 of this trash species have been collected from litter surveys to date – that’s three for every 1,000m2 of coastline surveyed. Keeping your pegs contained and switching to plastic-free alternatives will bring down the numbers and keep our ocean Clipi-free.

Condory

For many years, this fun-loving trash species has been popping up in New Zealand’s water, alongside other related species from the sanitary product family. Population numbers are stable, with an average of three sanitary items showing up on every 1,000m2 of coastline surveyed as part of Litter Intelligence. While serving a useful purpose in early life, these unsanitary species have no place on Aotearoa’s beaches.

Cordfish

This gargantuan trash predator appears in many guises. With an appetite for overbreeding, it can quickly grow from twisted cords, cables, ropes and abandoned fishing lines. Litter Intelligence data reports that 34,977 of these have already been collected, which is 18 for every 1,000m2 of coastlines surveyed. With bountiful plastics and materials to feed on, they pose an ongoing threat to New Zealand fish species. Responsible disposal of fishing lines, cords and cables is key to stopping the spread of these predators.  

Green-lippy Muscell

This hardy throwback may have long since disappeared, but alongside other pes species classified as ‘e-waste’, they sometimes show up in our beach clean-ups. It’s not clear how they got there exactly, but they contain poisons like arsenic, lead and mercury that leach into the water and pollute the surrounding environment and habitats. This poses a threat to sea life, and ultimately to us, too. Holding onto phones for longer or recycling through designated e-waste schemes such as ReMobile will prevent the evolution of future species like this.

Gutterfish

This chiseled plastic oddity has been lurking below for years, endangering our precious sea life, and can make unwelcome appearances on our beaches. Construction waste is a varied family, made up of plastic, metal, rubber, glass and ceramic. They also make up more than 20% of the trash species removed from Litter Intelligence coastal survey sites, by weight. Dumping and improper disposal means that these devious creatures can utilise waterways to find their way to the ocean. Keeping them properly contained on land is key to reducing the threat to humans and marine life.

Junkfish

This entangled mass of non-recyclables is an all too often sighting our beaches and in our ocean. Its ever-expanding form has a preference for plastic, and poses a massive danger to all fish species and sea life. As specimens age, they break up into unidentifiable hard plastic fragments: the number-one trash species offender on New Zealand’s shorelines. Litter Intelligence data records 168,731 items, making up more than 27% of all trash species found. The key to quashing this trash species is to reconsider all plastic purchases, and ensure that those necessary are disposed of responsibly.

Pauarade

This breed of undesirables may glisten on the shores, but they leach microplastics and chemicals that destroy delicate marine ecosystems. According to Litter Intelligence data, bottle caps and lids are one of the most common trash species collected from our beaches, with more than 28,805 found in surveys so far 18 for every 1,000m2. The only way to stop this trash species from multiplying even further is to stop buying plastic bottles. Choose glass or reusable bottles instead.

Peel

This snakelike creation is often spotted floating near the shorelines and regularly washes up with beach debris. Not originally nature to the Pacific Ocean region, they can be mistaken for food by marine life and also risk splitting up into more dangerous soft plastic fragments. Litter Intelligence data indicates that seven strapping bands and tape are found for every 1,000m2 of coastline surveyed, with over 6,792 individual items identified. To stop this pesky stickler, use paper tape or simply dispose of packaging more carefully.

Quarter Flounder

Flounder by name, flounder by nature. This polystyrene trash species is a pest that takes on many forms, in our seas and along our coastlines, and fragments over time. This causes problems to all manner of sea life. According to Litter Intelligence data, we can expect to find an average of 12 in every 1,000m2 of New Zealand coastline surveyed. The government is aware of the threat and has proposed to ban polystyrene reproduction, but as of September 2020, there is no set date for its extermination. To stop these evolving, say no to single-use plastic packaging.

Ringray

This spindly plastic bottom dweller has unfortunately inhabited our oceans for decades and regularly shows up in Litter Intelligence data surveys. With its deadly shape, it’s infamous for snaring unsuspecting marine life. Public awareness has meant a decline in plastic drink package rings. However, recent reports have noted new varieties breeding in local liquor stores. To avoid a resurgence of this dangerous species, buy your drinks in cardboard carriers.

Scollipop

This gaudy sucker has been discovered all over New Zealand coastlines. Its sticky form allows it to creep into underwater habitats and upset the locals. Its colourful plastic wrapper also attracts seabirds and bigger species, and now makes up a proportion of soft plastics in the ocean. Its population has boomed, especially near kids’ playgrounds, with 8,301 sticks recorded in Litter Intelligence coastal litter surveys. Choosing unwrapped sweets or lollipops with paper sticks will help eliminate this trash species in the future.

Smoki

These pungent critters are the 8th most common trash species found in Litter Intelligence beach surveys, with the data reporting over 18,890 collected to date. It comes as a surprise to many that cigarettes are mostly plastic, so do not naturally biodegrade in ocean ecosystems. So far, 5.5 kgs of cigarette buttes have been found, and 9.3 kgs of lighters have shown up, too. Despite the fact that many New Zealand beaches are smoke-free, these determined creatures wash down from the street to the sea. Being mostly plastic and containing toxic chemicals, they are harmful to sea life, but easily eliminated if disposed of properly.

Snapperloc Bag

This wrinkled plastic mutation has become a regular sighting in New Zealand waters. Its distinctive shape and lightweight form means it easily slips from picnic lunch spots to the ocean, becoming even more dangerous when it breaks up and finds its way into local food chains. Litter Intelligence data shows that soft plastic fragments are the fourth most common item collected during coastal litter surveys, with 36,733 individual pieces found so far. Using reusable containers for your beach snacks will help seal the fate of this species.

Socktopus

This gangly anomaly may have seen better days, and often appears along New Zealand’s coastlines with other cloth species. Most specimens have a hidden danger: microplastics. In the ocean, synthetic fibres break up and cause all sorts of trouble for natural ecosystems. Textile waste is a major sea polluter, with an average of five items found in every 1,000m2 of coastline surveyed as part of Litter Intelligence. Choosing natural fibres, donating or recycling old clothes, and avoiding fast fashion brands will help reduce the number of these odd castaways.

Soyrae

This little critter may look innocent, but they pose a major threat to our marine life. As they’re tricky to recycle and a favourite for takeaway lunches, they often find their way to the sea, breaking down into microplastics or washing back up on our beaches. Litter Intelligence survey data has shown 9,517 individual pieces from the ‘food containers’ family have been collected, eight for every 1,000m2 of coastlines. Opting to use your sushi shop’s refillable soy sauce bottle and taking your own container for lunch will help to eliminate this extensive trash species family.

Yellowtin Tuna

This twisted, metallic pest has been finding its way into New Zealand’s waterways for decades. Litter Intelligence data has reported 219 tin can specimens collected from the shoreline. But it’s expected that due to their weights, the count is much higher in deeper waters, where they damage delicate ecosystems. How they get there is still a mystery, but to prevent further mutations, they must fulfil their natural lifecycle as part of New Zealand’s recycling system.