Information
- Overall status: On track
- Published: 27 January 2020
Achievements at a glance
19 Mediterranean countries have established National Action Plans or Programmes of Measures addressing marine litter, and 17 Mediterranean Countries have adopted measures for the reduction in use of single-use plastic bags. 8 CPs have legislation and policies for recycling and more than 20 pilots from 9 different Mediterranean (Non-EU) countries are currently ongoing. Work has been carried for minimizing the use of plastic PET bottles and the use of microbeads in personal care products. More than 20 Adopt-a-Beach (AaB) and Fishing-for-Litter (FfL) pilots have been implemented since 2016. Several Contracting Parties have involved NGOs and other CSOs in several activities related to monitoring, awareness raising, and to some extent marine litter reduction and prevention measures.
- Development and Implementation of National Monitoring Programmes (Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco, Tunisia)
- 19 National Action Plans/Programmes of Measures addressing marine litter;
- Banning of single-use plastic bags in 17 Mediterranean Countries (Regulations/National Laws including total and partial bans, taxes/levies);
- 8 Mediterranean Countries Legislations and Policies for Recycling;
- More than 20 Marine Litter Pilots in 9 Countries.
Challenges faced in implementation (if any)
Following the publication of the most recent marine litter regional assessments , national monitoring programmes are in place, with three common indicators, but the level of implementation differs from a country to another. Monitoring should be based on common protocols and standardized methods, at the regional level, when the lack of long-term assessment data makes the evaluation of trends difficult. The future directions include tailored capacity-building activities, more harmonized protocols, an Integrated Management Monitoring System (IMAP) -compatible Info-System, the further development of the risk-based approaches and new monitoring tools, a rationalized and science-based definition of baselines, targets and thresholds, and reinforced cooperation at sub-regional level. All actions from the Mediterranean Action Plan on marine litter are building on existing knowledge, best practices, and contributions from various actors focusing on policies, industry, fisheries, research and social aspects. A supporting documentation is associated to these initiatives, providing the scientific, technical, economic and political background to support a better management of marine litter.
Effective management practices are still missing, requiring strong policy will and societal engagement. Cooperation and collaboration between the major marine litter partners in the region with common priority actions is therefore considered as important. The measures addressing/promoting the banning of single-use plastic bags and/or non-single use is one of the most common across the Mediterranean; that can be referred to as a success story of the Mediterranean region towards global efforts and marine litter targets.
Next steps
N/a
Beneficaries & Actions
Who are the beneficaries?
Mediterranean countries
What specific actions have been taken to positively impact beneficaries?
The Regional Cooperation Platform on Marine Litter in the Mediterranean has been established since September 2016 at the initiative of UNEP/MAP. It counts over 24 members representing global and regional stakeholders working on different aspects of marine litter. 2018 and 2019 work plans have been agreed, including joint activities such as clean-up events and monitoring activities. The interaction of the members of the Platform with the Mediterranean Countries, Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, provided the basis for advances cooperation and coordination among national and regional stakeholders, actors and projects. The platform has received increased attention at regional and international level, used a model to enhance coordination and cooperation among marine litter actors at regional level. The challenge is now to sustain the platform towards a coordinated implementation of the RPML, including through the implementation of IMAP.
Information
- Overall status: On track
- Published: 25 February 2019
Achievements at a glance
The national regulatory framework related to non-single use of plastic bags and to promote Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) was carried out for Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia. Technical assistance is provided to national decision-makers and stakeholders with the aim to minimize the use of single use items.
The pilot implementation of Fishing-for-Litter and Adopt-a-Beach measures (clean-up campaigns) is ongoing in Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Implementation of national pilots related to the better management of sea-based litter in ports and marinas in the Mediterranean are also on-going. The selection of ports and marinas is completed in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. A field visit was organized in the port of Antwerp, Belgium, in October 2018, with the participation of the beneficiary countries.
The development of the IMAP Candidate Indicator 24 Effect of marine litter on biota includes the following activities: (a) Defining the Most Representative Species for IMAP Candidate Indicator 24 Report; (b) training sessions on monitoring the amounts of marine litter ingested by or entangling marine turtles; (c) a specific protocol and capacity building activities on monitoring the effect of marine litter on sea turtles; (d) assessment of available data to propose Good Ecological Status (GES) Targets linked to the amounts of litter ingested by or entangling the sea turtles. Regional guidelines have been drafted for the implementation of the above-mentioned measures.
The Regional Cooperation Platform on Marine Litter in the Mediterranean was established. Three meetings have been organized in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Coordination among the European Regional Seas Coordination Meetings is on-going. Support is provided to the Black Sea Commission with regards to the development of an action plan and monitoring programme on marine litter for the Black Sea region.
Challenges faced in implementation (if any)
Implementation of national activities requires enhanced coordination and management efforts.
Next steps
N/a
Beneficaries & Actions
Who are the beneficaries?
Southern Mediterranean Countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia
What specific actions have been taken to positively impact beneficaries?
Capacity Building - Technical Workshops.
Technical Assistance provided to the Countries.
Regional Meetings on Marine Litter Best Practices.
Information
- Overall status: On track
- Published: 25 February 2019
Achievements at a glance
The national regulatory framework related to non-single use of plastic bags and to promote Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) was carried out for Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia. Technical assistance is provided to national decision-makers and stakeholders with the aim to minimize the use of single use items.
The pilot implementation of Fishing-for-Litter and Adopt-a-Beach measures (clean-up campaigns) is ongoing in Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Implementation of national pilots related to the better management of sea-based litter in ports and marinas in the Mediterranean are also on-going. The selection of ports and marinas is completed in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. A field visit was organized in the port of Antwerp, Belgium, in October 2018, with the participation of the beneficiary countries.
The development of the IMAP Candidate Indicator 24 Effect of marine litter on biota includes the following activities: (a) Defining the Most Representative Species for IMAP Candidate Indicator 24 Report; (b) training sessions on monitoring the amounts of marine litter ingested by or entangling marine turtles; (c) a specific protocol and capacity building activities on monitoring the effect of marine litter on sea turtles; (d) assessment of available data to propose Good Ecological Status (GES) Targets linked to the amounts of litter ingested by or entangling the sea turtles. Regional guidelines have been drafted for the implementation of the above-mentioned measures.
The Regional Cooperation Platform on Marine Litter in the Mediterranean was established. Three meetings have been organized in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Coordination among the European Regional Seas Coordination Meetings is on-going. Support is provided to the Black Sea Commission with regards to the development of an action plan and monitoring programme on marine litter for the Black Sea region.
Challenges faced in implementation (if any)
Implementation of national activities requires enhanced coordination and management efforts.
Next steps
N/a
Beneficaries & Actions
Who are the beneficaries?
Southern Mediterranean Countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia
What specific actions have been taken to positively impact beneficaries?
Capacity Building - Technical Workshops.
Technical Assistance provided to the Countries.
Regional Meetings on Marine Litter Best Practices.
