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Anthropogenic litter is considered a potential vector for the dispersal of non-indigenous species (NIS) in marine ecosystems. Using the bay of Gijon (Southwestern Bay of Biscay) as a case study, we studied the composition and potential transfer of the communities inhabiting three different environment components: 1) natural and artificial substrates from the international port of Gijon, 2) six proximate rocky beaches and 3) floating litter collected in the adjacent coast. A total of 717 organisms were morphologically identified and DNA barcoded using COI and 18S genes. In total 23 NIS were detected, six of them considered invasive in the area. The taxonomic profiles of the three environment components were significantly different, flotsam containing higher proportions of Hexanauplia and less mollusks, echinoderms and polychaetes than ports and beaches. Contrary to expectations, floating litter showed higher densities of native and exotic species than beaches or port surfaces. This and shared haplotypes between port, flotsam and beaches in some invasive species may indicate that marine litter could represent a new habitat for species to disperse into new areas.

Coastal areas are environments of high diversity and severely threatened by hazards as marine litter and biological invasions. Citizens’ knowledge and awareness are drivers of changes needed to improve environment conservation. Density both of litter and IAS Cortaderia selloana were measured from six beaches in southwest Bay of Biscay along with awareness of inhabitants of the zone using a social survey. Relationship between beach littering, alien invasion and perception and awareness of adults and students were assessed. Litter levels were associated with port presence and showed relationship between environmental degradation, IAS and litter accumulation. Adults were more aware about both issues and their perception of litter and plant invasion were positively correlated. Results suggest enhancing marine awareness, with more effort addressed specifically to students. There is a misperception of the real magnitude of IAS and litter impacts that should be approached improving awareness about this topics in the younger generations.