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Marine Litter
Vital Graphics
CONCLUSIONS
Prevention is key
– Reduce the amounts of single-
use plastics, phase out non-recoverable plastics, promote
redesign of plastic products to extend their life-span
and facilitate recovery and recycling once used – these
are essential long-term solutions. With regard to short-
term solutions, improved collection and management of
wastewater and solid waste offers the most immediate
short-term solution to reducing the flow of plastic into the
marine environment, especially in developing economies.
New Approaches
– While further research is needed
to gain a better understanding of the source, transport,
fate and effects of marine litter, we know enough now to
design and implement science-based measures to deal
with the problem. Adaptive management and policy will
be instrumental in incorporating the wealth of knowledge
that is continuously being generated on marine plastic
debris and microplastics.
Share knowledge and expertise
– New awareness
raising activities need to be developed and we need to take
a more multi-disciplined approach that will encourage
public-private partnerships and citizen-led movements
to slow down or reverse the further degradation of our
marine and coastal environment.
Implement existing regulatory instruments
– Full
implementation of regulations and an assessment of their
effectiveness will show that there is progress to be made.
It will also enable assessment of how to better integrate
and improve these instruments.
Behaviour change
– Besides improved governance at
all levels, long-term solutions should focus on behavioural
and system changes such as more sustainable production
and consumption patterns.
Take action
– Marine litter mitigation activities such as
beach and shoreline clean-ups should be prioritized in
areas where action will lead to the recovery of ecosystems –
and substantially increase awareness about the problem.
One size does not fit all
– By acknowledging factors
such as gender, demographics, individual motivations and
different perceptions of risk and responsibility, the cost of
action can be reduced and it can bemademore sustainable.
What needs to happen now?