Abstract: Marine litter is a global environmental problem that endangers wildlife and has great socio-economic and aesthetic impacts. To identify sources of marine litter is an important key in order to propose cost-effective measures. Pick analyses of beach litter have therefore been conducted in order to categorise litter items from a product perspective. The results confirm that plastic are the most common litter material found on beaches in the Nordic countries. Short life items and packaging are dominating, which is strongly linked to individual consumers. It is further concluded that the plastics and packaging industry has an important role to play to decrease the amount of marine litter
Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2021-544/ Plastic pollution in the world’s oceans is one of modern times biggest challenges. NGOs and volunteers all over the Nordics are fighting marine litter through organised clean-up actions. This project was designed to assist NGOs in the Nordic small states in their participation of combating marine litter. The report is giving an insight to the interconnectedness between Nordic states working with marine litter and consists of extensive information collected from the four small island states to facilitate an exchange of knowledge between them. The information was collected during workshops, where the main aim was to facilitate cooperation between the small island states by facilitating experience and knowledge sharing. The workshops also aimed to look at the challenges faced by the small island states and put forward short- and long-term solutions to the main challenges.
This report summarises the knowledge on plastics in Nordic marine species. Nordic biota interacts with plastic pollution, through entanglement and ingestion. Ingestion has been found in many seabirds and also in stranded mammals. Ingestion of plastics has been documented in 14 fish species, which many of them are of ecology and commercially importance. Microplastics have also been found in blue mussels and preliminary studies found synthetic fibres in marine worms. Comparability between and within studies of plastic ingestion by biota from the Nordic environment and other regions are difficult as there are: few studies and different methods are used. It is important that research is directed towards the knowledge gaps highlighted in this report, to get a better understanding on plastic ingestion and impact on biota from the Nordic marine environment.
Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2020-509/ Abstract [en] Clean Nordic Oceans was established as a network to exchange knowledge and experience of methods and measures that can reduce the risk of ghost fishing and marine litter, and increase proper disposal and recycling of commercial and recreational fishing gear. All Nordic countries have participated in the network. Through a dedicated website (www.cnogear.org), workshops, seminars, conferences, films and social media, this project has helped to establish contacts both inside and outside the Nordic region, which can help reduce the challenges of marine litter from fishing activities. Among the numerous important findings that have been made over the course of the project, the report points out that fishermen in all the Nordic countries lack sufficient awareness of how they can and should contribute to a cleaner ocean. The report proposes a number of possible measures. Some of the measures may be suitable for all countries, but in general, there is no “one size fits all” solution.
Marine litter is an ecological, economic, health and aesthetic problem. it is a complex and multi-dimensional challenge with significant implications For The marine and coastal environment, and human activities all over the world. The persistence of marine litter is the result of a lack of coordinated global and regional strategies, and deficiencies in the implementation and enforcement of existing programmes, regulations and standards at all levels - international, regional and national. The UNEP Global Initiative on Marine Litter provides a platform For The management of marine litter through the establishment of partnerships, cooperative arrangements and coordination of joint activities. it has succeeded in organizing and implementing regional activities on marine litter around the world. In addition to activities in 12 Regional Seas, UNEP commissioned preparation of several documents on specific topics, including UNEP/IOC Guidelines for monitoring of marine litter; Abandoned and lost fishing gear; and Marine litter and market-based instruments. This report provides an overview of the status of marine litter in UNEP's assisted Regional Seas, and highlights the amounts, main sources, impacts, and economics of marine litter, and discusses legislation, policies, compliance and enforcement mechanisms; institutional frameworks and stakeholder involvement; education and outreach strategies; monitoring programmes and research; mitigation activities among other aspects. it concludes that there is an urgent need to approach the issue of marine litter through better enforcement of laws and regulations, expanded outreach and educational campaigns And The employment of strong economic instruments and incentives. it proposes some general recommendations, based on the materials presented in the document, and specific recommendations for fourteen different issues regarding marine litter.
