Regional Draft Action Plan on Marine Litter Management in the Caribbean available for review

The development of the Draft "Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter Management in the Wider Caribbean" was part of a pilot project initiative conducted by the UNEP-Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit with support from UNEP’s Regional Seas Programme. The primary goal of this pilot project was to assist in the environmental protection and sustainable development of the Wider Caribbean Region related to the prevention and reduction of marine litter.

As part of this project, a review document was prepared on the existing status of marine litter issues and programmes – including a compilation of the available historical marine litter data; a draft plan for developing national monitoring programmes was prepared; participation in the annual International Coastal Cleanup event was promoted; and a workshop to discuss the draft action plan was conducted in Aruba jointly with the IMO/REMPEITC where marine litter issues and Annex V of MARPOL were reviewed.

Additional information on Marine Litter and copies of relevant documents can be found on the Marine Litter Webpage

The Draft "Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter Management in the Wider Caribbean can be downloaded here.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Marine litter (also known as ‘marine debris’) is defined by researchers as "any manufactured or processed solid waste material (typically inert) that enters the ocean environment from any source," and is one of the most pervasive and potentially solvable pollution problems plaguing the world’s ocean and waterways (Coe & Rogers, 1997). The ubiquitous presence of marine litter coupled with its physical, ecological, cultural, and socio-economic complexities, poses one of the most severe threats to the sustainability of the natural resources of sensitive habitats and wildlife and people of the Wider Caribbean and indeed – the world as a whole. 

The overwhelming, dominant source of marine litter documented in the historical beach cleanup data from the Caribbean Region is attributable to land-based-sources at 89.1%, with 10.9% attributable to ocean-based sources (UNEP, 2006). Land-based sources of debris are reported to have a profound impact on tourism (and other revenue earning sectors), as well as human health and safety. Ocean-based debris forms (e.g. fishing nets, gear and supplies, rope, fish traps, sheeting/tarps, and strapping bands) can also be very harmful to wildlife through entanglement and ingestion and can be damaging to sensitive aquatic habitats, including coral reefs and sea grass beds. 

As part of the United National Environment Programme – Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit (UNEP-CAR/RCU) Marine Litter Project, an assessment was conducted through background research, surveys and interviews with government representatives, UNEP National and Marine Litter Focal Points, and appointed National Consultants representing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and regional organisations involved in marine litter monitoring and management. A series of issues surfaced in the research related to gaps and needs for effectively dealing with marine litter issues (policies, regulations and legislation; government/institutional responsibility; compliance and enforcement; monitoring and research; and education and outreach). The primary categories addressed in the Marine Litter Action Plan for these issues included:

• Institutional Frameworks and Stakeholder Involvement

• Monitoring Programmes and Research

• Education and Outreach

• Solid Waste Management  

Implementation of the Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter Management will be coordinated by the UNEP-CAR/RCU including the development of a process for assessment and evaluation for the plan, including identification of targets, milestones and indicators. In addition, efforts to identify funding resources will be spearheaded by UNEP with support from member States where a leveraging of resources will be explored for existing sources as well as the cultivation of new funding sources to support regional efforts for addressing marine litter issues.