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Miljøudvalget 2014-15 (1. samling)
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Regional Action Plan for Prevention and Management of

Marine Litter in the North-East Atlantic

(OSPAR Agreement 2014-1)

This Regional Action Plan (RAP) sets out the policy context for OSPAR’s work on marine litter,

describes the various types of actions that OSPAR will work on over the coming years and provides a

timetable to guide the achievement of these actions.

The RAP is organised in four sections:



Section I

follows the brief introduction below and sets the objectives, the geographical scope,

principles and approaches that should frame implementation.



Section II

presents the actions to be implemented. The actions have been grouped in four themes as

follows: A. the reduction of litter from sea-based sources and B. the reduction of litter from land-

based sources, C. the removal of existing litter from the marine environment and D. education and

outreach on the topic of marine litter.



Section III

describes the necessary monitoring and assessment.



Section IV

outlines how the plan will be implemented and followed up by OSPAR. This final section

includes reference to Annex I, consisting of a Implementation Plan for the development and adoption

of OSPAR’s measures supporting the implementation of OSPAR actions in this agreement and Annex

II which outlines an implementation reporting format through which OSPAR’s Contracting Parties,

and also OSPAR’s relevant stakeholders and observers, are invited to report on implementation.

These annexes are to be considered part of this RAP, however the RAP Implementation plan will be

updated annually based upon progress.

INTRODUCTION

Marine litter

Marine litter covers any solid material which has been deliberately discarded, or unintentionally lost

on beaches and on shores or at sea, including materials transported into marine environment from land by

rivers, draining or sewage systems or winds. It includes any persistent, manufactured or processed solid

material. Marine litter originates from different sea- and land-based sources and is largely based on the

prevailing production and consumption pattern.

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Marine litter consists of a wide range of materials, including plastic, metal, wood, rubber, glass and

paper. Although the relative proportions of these materials vary regionally, there is clear evidence that

plastic litter is by far the most abundant type. In some locations plastics make up 90 % of marine litter of

shorelines. A similar predominance of plastics is reported from sampling at the sea surface and on the

seabed.

Most plastics are extremely durable materials and persist in the marine environment for a

considerable period, possibly as much as hundreds of years. However, plastics also deteriorate and

fragment in the environment as a consequence of exposure to sunlight (photo-degradation) in addition to

physical and chemical deterioration. This breakdown of larger items results in numerous tiny plastic

fragments, which, when smaller than 5mm

are called secondary micro plastics. Other micro plastics that

can be found in the marine environment are categorised as primary micro plastics due to the fact that they

are produced either for direct use, such as for industrial abrasives or cosmetics or for indirect use, such as

pre-production pellets or nurdles.

Marine litter is not only an aesthetic problem but incurs socioeconomic costs, threatens human

health and safety and impacts on marine organisms. It is broadly documented that entanglement in, or

ingestion of, marine litter can have negative consequences on the physical condition of marine animals and

even lead to death. Ingestion of micro plastics is also of concern as it may provide a pathway for transport

of harmful chemicals into the food web. Additionally, marine litter is known to damage and degrade

habitats (e.g. in terms of smothering) and to be a possible vector for the transfer of alien species.

The large majority of biodegradable plastics can only biodegrade under specific conditions of

constant temperature and humidity in industrial composting installations. Therefore they do not degrade in

a reasonable time when entering the marine environment as litter. Moreover, many biodegradable plastics

may not degrade in the intestines of marine species. Hence injury and starvation are likely to remain issues.

The background for the Plan

OSPAR Ministers declared in 2010: “We

note that quantities of litter in many areas of the North-East

Atlantic are unacceptable, and therefore we will continue to develop reduction measures and targets, taking

into consideration an ambitious target resulting in a reduction in 2020”

(Bergen Statement). The OSPAR

objective with regard to marine litter, as laid down in the Strategy for the protection of the Marine

Environment of the North-East Atlantic for the years 2010-2020, is

“to substantially reduce marine litter in

the OSPAR maritime area to levels where properties and quantities do not cause harm to the marine

environment”.

The OSPAR objective and this RAP are supportive of the Rio+20 global commitment to “take

action to, by 2025, based on collected scientific data, achieve significant reductions in marine debris to

prevent harm to the coastal and marine environment”

in the "The Future We Want"

and with the 2013

UNGA resolution A/RES/68/70 in which States noted concern on marine debris.

The OSPAR objective is also in line with the definition of Descriptor 10 of the Marine Strategy

Framework Directive, where Good Environmental Status can be seen to be achieved, when “Properties

and

quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the coastal and marine environment.

It will also support the

achievement of an EU-wide “quantitative reduction headline target” for marine litter, as agreed in the 7

Environment Action Programme.

10. OSPAR 2013 agreed to develop a Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter by 2014. The sources of

marine litter are diverse and ocean dynamics turn it into a transboundary issue requiring collective action.

Therefore, OSPAR examined the feasibility of developing a Regional Action Plan to implement the

commitments in the North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy as well as to coordinate actions to deliver

EU MSFD GES Technical Subgroup on Marine Litter Marine Litter: Technical Recommendations for the Implementation of MSFD

Requirements, JRC 2011

The Future We Want, paragraph 163:

http://www.uncsd2012.org/content/documents/727The%20Future%20We%20Want%2019%20June%201230pm.pdf

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Good Environmental Status across the MSFD descriptors. Moreover, the RAP is contributing to the UNEP

and GPA Global Partnership on Marine Litter, a global framework for prevention and management of

marine debris, and the Honolulu Strategy developed at the 5

International Marine Debris Conference. In

that sense, the RAP for prevention and management of marine litter can be seen as an exemplar for

regional effort supporting multiple regional and global commitments.

11. This RAP emerged from a series of workshops, coordinated by Germany as lead country, involving

relevant expertise from the public and private sectors, academics and non-governmental organisations and

under a dedicated OSPAR intersessional correspondence group on marine litter (ICG-ML). Through this

process OSPAR also actively contributed to the International Conference on Prevention and Management

of Marine Litter in European Seas held in Berlin in April 2013.

12. Following the agreement of OSPAR 2013 this RAP and Implementation Plan aims to deliver the

following elements:

a focus on specific sources or items of marine litter that are of most concern in each OSPAR

region or the OSPAR maritime area as a whole;

the development of regional measures, taking into account the socioeconomic aspects

including cost effectiveness, for reducing the input of marine litter from sea-based and land-

based sources, and for removing litter from the marine environment. These measures should

be based on an assessment of the OSPAR Marine Litter Checklist, the measures identified at

the Berlin Conference and any existing and new initiatives within Contracting Parties;

regionally coordinated SMART

reduction/operational targets, including those linked to

sources, taking into account the MSFD targets submitted by EU Member State Contracting

Parties to the European Commission;

monitoring and necessary arrangements required to assess progress towards reaching the

targets, taking into account any outputs from the EU Technical Group Marine Litter, and

including the work in progress for the MSFD monitoring programmes;

cooperation with other relevant regional and international organisations, including Regional

Seas.

13. The OSPAR Regional Action Plan for prevention and management of Marine Litter in the North-East

Atlantic has been adopted by OSPAR Contracting Parties as an OSPAR Other Agreement. The Regional

Action Plan is designed as a flexible tool providing a set of actions to address marine litter. It contains

actions requiring collective activity within the framework of the OSPAR Commission through, where

applicable, OSPAR measures (i.e. Decisions or Recommendations) and/or other agreements such as

guidelines.

14. Other actions listed are those that Contracting Parties should consider in their national programmes

of measures, including under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The approach regarding these

national actions is based around the core principle that the RAP allows Contracting Parties to identify which

of the measures and actions listed they have already taken forward (e.g. as a result of existing or planned

national or European legislation or other initiatives) and consider others needed to further combat marine

litter. It therefore provides guidance to Contracting Parties and a framework for regional cooperation.

15. Finally, a third category of actions that address issues that fall under the competence of other

international organisations and competent authorities

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound

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SECTION I: Objectives, scope and principles

Objectives and role

16.

The main objectives of the RAP are to:



Prevent and reduce marine litter pollution in the North-East Atlantic and its impact on marine

organisms, habitats, public health and safety and reduce the socioeconomic costs it causes;

Remove litter from the marine environment where practical and feasible;

Enhance knowledge and awareness on marine litter;

Support Contracting Parties in the development, implementation and coordination of their

programmes for litter reduction, including those for the implementation of the Marine

Strategy Framework Directive.

Develop management approaches to marine litter that are consistent with accepted

international approaches (c.f. §20)



17.

The role of the RAP ML is to:



Coordinate work to improve the evidence base on the impacts of litter on the marine

environment;

Establish a range of measures and actions, identifying gaps and opportunities where OSPAR

can add value through its marine focus. This should take into account existing activities;

Be a framework under which Contracting Parties can identify where a regional approach can

add value to the actions of individual Contracting Parties, including in relation to their

implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, where appropriate;

Promote reporting by Contracting Parties to OSPAR regarding their progress and cooperation

in a manner consistent with obligations under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive,

where appropriate.



Area of application

18. The Regional Action Plan targets litter discharges from sea-based and land-based sources as well as

litter which is already present in the marine environment and applies to the whole OSPAR maritime area:

Region I – Arctic Waters;

Region II – Greater North Sea;

Region III – Celtic Seas;

Region IV – Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast;

Region V – Wider Atlantic.

Guiding principles

19. The key principles that should guide action to address marine litter are: the precautionary principle

and the polluter pays principle, as described in Article 2(2) of the OSPAR Convention, as well as the aim to

adopt programmes and measures designed to prevent and eliminate pollution (Art. 2 (3) (a and b):

•

The precautionary principle:

“by virtue of which preventive measures are to be taken when

there are reasonable grounds for concern that substances or energy introduced, directly or

indirectly, into the marine environment may bring about hazards to human health, harm living

resources and marine ecosystems, damage amenities or interfere with other legitimate uses of

the sea, even when there is no conclusive evidence of a causal relationship between the inputs

and the effects; “ (Article 2 (2) (a) OSPAR Convention);

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•

The polluter pays principle:

“by virtue of which the costs of pollution prevention, control and

reduction measures are to be borne by the polluter" (Art. 2(2) (b) OSPAR Convention).

Additionally there are other approaches that should help guide interpretation and decision-making

on the implementation of actions within the framework of the RAP. These approaches are not legal

formulations, but should help frame the development of measures.



Integration:

marine litter management should be an integral part of the solid waste

management to ensure environmentally sound management of human activities and rational

use of resources;

The

ecosystem approach:

the comprehensive integrated management of human activities

based on the best available scientific knowledge about the ecosystem and its dynamics, in

order to identify and take action on influences which are critical to the health of the marine

ecosystems, thereby achieving sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services and

maintenance of ecosystems;

Public participation and stakeholder involvement:

to create awareness about the problem of

marine litter and ensure a sense of public ownership in order to build support for relevant

measures;

Sustainable consumption and production

: the use of goods and services that respond to basic

needs and bring a better quality of life, while minimising the use of natural resources, toxic

materials and emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle;

Best available knowledge and socioeconomic effectiveness:

actions and operational targets

should be based on available knowledge of the predominant amounts, materials, items and

sources of marine litter found in the North-East Atlantic and take into account the social and

economic costs of degradation compared to the cost and benefits of proposed measures.



Cooperation with other organisations and competent authorities

21. Cross-sectorial cooperation is very important in order to reduce marine litter in the OSPAR maritime

area. The Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter should therefore be implemented in close cooperation with

other relevant regional and global organisations and initiatives, including UNEP and other Regional Seas

Conventions, the International Maritime Organisation, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the European

Union, Fisheries Regional Advisory Councils, North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission and River and River

Basin Commissions. Partnerships with the private sector and with non-governmental organisations should

also be part of the working approach.

22. Appropriate arrangements should be developed to exchange relevant information and to address

significant transboundary marine litter issues. Contracting Parties should cooperate directly to address

transboundary marine litter issues, with the assistance of the OSPAR Secretariat or the competent

international or regional organisation. Where countries are Contracting Parties of more than one relevant

organisation they should endeavour to coordinate internally to raise the appropriate issues in those fora.

SECTION II – Actions

23. This section identifies a number of actions in conformity with the objectives and principles of the

RAP, informed by the findings on main items, materials, amounts and sources of marine litter. Section II is

divided into four themes: A) actions to combat sea-based and B) combat land-based sources of marine

Norwegian Ministry of Enviroment Symposium: Sustainable Consumption. Oslo, Norway; 19-20 January 1994

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litter; C) actions for the removal of existing litter from the marine environment and D) actions for education

and outreach on the topic of marine litter. Smarter production is treated as an integral theme.

24. The majority of the actions, as outlined in section II are those actions at a regional level with a large-

scale, widespread and transboundary character. Coordination on these kinds of actions is the key aim of the

OSPAR RAP. Additionally some of the actions aim for information exchange and coordination of measures

that are primarily of national concern and responsibility of Contracting Parties. In other cases where it is

considered that appropriate action might be taken by the EU or other international organisations (such as

Fisheries organisations), actions are formulated to approach those bodies/authorities through OSPAR.

Annex I includes an Implementation Plan with timelines and lead countries for the development of OSPAR

measures.

25. OSPAR Contracting Parties which are also EU Member States should consider including the actions

set out in the RAP ML in their EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive programmes of measures. OSPAR in

this respect will serve as an exchange platform for gaining and sharing information on technical, economic

and policy aspects of such measures and the effects they have on the marine environment.

26. The following actions are expressed in a way to differentiate between those which require a cross-

regional joint action through OSPAR, including some which require OSPAR to address other international

organisations, and others which are primarily within the remit of Contracting Parties.

27. This RAP does not pre-determine which of the “OSPAR actions” should ultimately take the form of

OSPAR measures (Recommendations, Decisions) or other agreements, including guidelines, adopted within

the framework of the Convention. However the Implementation Plan presented in Annex I will be updated

on a regular basis to show where Contracting Parties have agreed to develop OSPAR measures.

Development of regional measures will follow the accepted OSPAR procedure, including lead country

responsibility and production of background document(s) outlining the rationale for OSPAR action, costs

and benefits, best practices, cooperation etc.

OSPAR Collective Actions

28. The following actions have been identified, on the basis of the evidence gathered in the development

of this plan, which will be updated through the Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme (JAMP) (See

Section III), as those that require joint regional effort. Therefore Contracting Parties, acting collectively

within the framework of the OSPAR Commission, as set out in the Implementation Plan in Annex I, will

develop and implement the actions outlined below:

29. In order to fulfil the commitments made in the North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy and at

OSPAR 2013 an action of this RAP will be to develop and agree regionally coordinated SMART

reduction/operational targets linked to relevant actions as listed in the implementation plan, starting from

2015, including those linked to sources. OSPAR targets will take into account the Marine Strategy

Framework Directive targets submitted by EU Member States and the 7

EU Environmental Action

Programme marine litter target. Likewise OSPAR targets will also inform MSFD Targets and will contribute

to the further implementation of the Directive.

Theme A: Actions to combat sea-based sources of marine litter

Port reception facilities

30. Ensure regional coordination on the implementation of EU Directive 2000/59/EC in relation to

MARPOL Annex V ship generated waste. Such coordination could:

deliver a cost recovery system, ensuring the maximum amount of MARPOL Annex V ship

generated waste is delivered to port reception facilities;

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not solely focus on reception facilities, but also other relevant differences;

analyse the implementation of compulsory discharge of waste in each port for all ships leaving

the OSPAR maritime area for non-EU ports, in line with EU Directive 2000/59/EC.

31.

OSPAR will inform the ongoing revision of EU Directive 2000/59/EC.

Effective Implementation/Enforcement of international legislation/regulation

32. Identify best practice in relation to inspections for MARPOL Annex V ship generated waste, including

better management of reporting data, taking into consideration the Paris MOU

on port state control.

33. Seek the dialogue with the Paris MOU to take the risk of illegal waste discharges into consideration

for the prioritisation of port state control inspections.

Incentives for responsible behaviour/disincentives for littering

34.

Improve implementation of the ISO standard 201070:2013

in relation to port reception facilities.

35. Identify the options to address key waste items from the fishing industry and aquaculture, which

could contribute to marine litter, including deposit schemes, voluntary agreements and extended producer

responsibility.

Develop best practice in relation to fishing industry

36. Through a multinational project, together with the fishing industry and competent authorities

develop and promote best practice in relation to marine litter. All relevant aspects (including e.g. dolly

rope

, waste management on board, waste management at harbours and operational losses/net cuttings)

should be included.

37.

Investigate the prevalence and impact of dolly rope (synthetic fibre). Engage with competent

authorities (such as National Authorities, EU, North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, etc.) and the fishing

industry in order to work together to reduce the waste generated by dolly rope on a (sub) regional basis.

Fines for waste disposal offences at sea

38. Analyse penalties and fines issued by Contracting Parties for waste disposal offences at sea to

highlight the differences, trends, problem areas and issues to relevant organisations, such as the North Sea

Network of Investigators and Prosecutors.

Theme B: Actions to combat land-based sources of Marine Litter

Improved waste prevention and management

39. Highlight those waste prevention and management practices that impact significantly on marine

litter. Engage with the industry and other authorities, at the appropriate level, in order for them to be able

to develop best environmental practice, including identification of circumstances where litter “escapes”

into the marine environment. Encourage the recyclability of plastic products (e.g. through reduction of

additives).

40. Share best practice on waste management, e.g. on landfill bans of high caloric wastes (especially for

plastics).

Paris Memoradnum of Understanding on Port State Control

ISO 201070:2013, Arrangement and management of port waste reception facilities

Bunches of polyethylene threads used to protect the codend of demersal trawlnet from abrasions

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41. Exchange experience on best practice to prevent litter entering into water systems and highlight

these to River or River Basin Commissions.

Reduction of sewage and storm water related waste

42.

Investigate and promote with appropriate industries the use of Best Available Techniques (BAT) and

Best Environmental Practice (BEP) to develop sustainable and cost-effective solutions to reduce and

prevent sewage and storm water related waste entering the marine environment, including micro particles.

Incentives for responsible behaviour/ Disincentives for littering

43. Assess relevant instruments and incentives to reduce the use of single-use and other items, which

impact the marine environment, including the illustration of the associated costs and environmental

impacts.

44. Reduce the consumption of single use plastic bags and their presence in the marine environment,

supported by the development of quantifiable (sub) regional targets, where appropriate, and assist in the

development of relevant EU initiatives.

45. Encourage international environmental certification schemes to include the management and

prevention of marine litter in their lists of criteria.

Elimination, change or adaptation of products for environmental benefits

46. Evaluate all products and processes that include primary micro plastics and act, if appropriate, to

reduce their impact on the marine environment.

47. Engage with all appropriate sectors (manufacturing, retail etc.) to explore the possibility of a

voluntary agreement to phase out the use of micro plastics as a component in personal care and cosmetic

products. Should a voluntary agreement prove not to be sufficient, prepare a proposal for OSPAR to call on

the EU to introduce appropriate measures to achieve a 100% phasing out of micro plastics in personal care

and cosmetic products.

48. Evaluate the potential harm caused to the marine environment by items such as cigarette

filters/butts, balloons, shotgun wads, cotton buds and bio-film support media used in sewage plants. Based

on this evaluation, proposals can be made on the elimination, change or adaptation requirements for these

other potentially problematic items.

49. Investigate the prevalence and impact of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in the marine environment,

and engage with industry to make proposals for alternative materials and/or how to reduce its impacts.

Development of sustainable packaging

50.

Engage in a dialogue with industry aimed at highlighting the top marine litter problem items based

on OSPAR beach monitoring surveys and/or other evidence on impacts.

51. Explore with industry the development of design improvements to assist in the reduction of negative

impacts of products entering the marine environment in order to better inform industry on alternative

solutions.

Zero pellet loss

52. Promote initiatives and exchange of best practice aiming at zero pellet loss

along the whole plastics

manufacturing chain from production to transport.

For example Operation Clean Sweep http://www.opcleansweep.org/default.aspx

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Theme C: Removal Action

Application of Fishing for Litter activities

53. Strengthen the existing OSPAR Recommendation 2010/19 on the reduction of marine litter through

implementation of fishing for litter initiatives, including by reviewing the option that any vessel involved in

the scheme can land non-operational waste at participating harbours in OSPAR countries.

Cleaning environmental compartments and keeping them clean

54. Establish an exchange platform on experiences on good cleaning practices in beaches, riverbanks,

pelagic and surface sea areas, ports and inland waterways. Develop best practice on environmental friendly

technologies and methods for cleaning.

55. Develop subregional or regional maps of hotspots of floating litter, based on mapping of circulation

of floating masses of marine litter, and identification of hotspots of accumulation on coastal areas and the

role of prevailing currents and winds.

Reduction of abandoned, lost and otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)

56. Identify hot spot areas through mapping of snagging sites or historic dumping grounds working with

other initiatives, research programmes and with fishing organisations.

57. Develop a risk assessment for identifying where accumulations of ghost nets pose a threat to the

environment and should be removed.

Theme D: Education and outreach

Education

58. Develop marine litter assessment sheets to assist Contracting Parties in developing material for

education programmes, including those for professional seafarers and fishermen.

Outreach

59. Establish a database on good practice examples of marine litter measures and initiatives and share

this database with other Regional Seas Conventions in order to make action more visible to the public.

60. Develop a communication strategy on the Regional Action Plan (RAP) linked in a coherent way with

national initiatives/measures. This will include linking the OSPAR website to relevant projects and

initiatives.

Contracting Party Actions

61.

Contracting Parties should consider implementing the following actions:

Theme A: Actions to combat sea-based sources of marine litter

Enforcement of international legislation/regulation regarding all sectors

62. Ensuring effective implementation and enforcement of MARPOL Annex V in relation to both fishing

and shipping waste by considering its implementation by port state control and other competent bodies.

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Incentives for responsible behaviour/disincentives for littering

63. Investigating markets for plastic waste from the fishing and shipping industry (e.g. by bringing

together producers of waste and recycling companies) by looking at specific items and differences in

materials, including giving value to waste streams by financial incentives.

Theme B: Measures to combat land-based sources

Improved waste prevention and management

64. Ensuring considerations related to marine litter and actions in this plan are integrated, as

appropriate, into the implementation and any future revision of relevant EU Directives (e.g. Waste

Framework Directive, Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, Port Reception Facilities Directive, Landfill

Directive, Water Framework Directive, Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, Bathing Water Directive).

65. Seeking cooperation in the river and river basin authorities in order to include impacts of litter on the

marine environment in river and river basin management plans.

66. Promoting and supporting, where appropriate, the inclusion of measures aimed at the prevention

and reduction of marine litter in the 2014 revision of the EU’s waste legislation.

67. Including a reference to marine litter, where applicable, in National Waste Prevention Plans and

Waste Management Plans (including making links where relevant to EU legislation). There could be an

element in the plans highlighting the impacts of marine litter.

68. Entering into dialogue with the waste industry, working towards highlighting waste management

practices that impact on the marine environment.

69. Identifying illegal and historic coastal landfill or dumpsites, including where these might be at risk

from coastal erosion, and take action if appropriate.

70. Promoting Extended Producer Responsibility Strategies requiring producers, manufacturers, brand

owners and first importers to be responsible for the entire life-cycle of the product with a focus on items

frequently found in the marine environment.

71. Encouraging the development and implementation of Sustainable Procurement Policies that

contribute to the promotion of recycled products, in particular plastic, focusing on those products that

impact upon the marine environment.

72.

Promoting and enhancing national stakeholder alliances focusing on marine litter.

Theme C: Removal measures

Application of Fishing for Litter activities

73. Removing barriers to the processing or adequate disposal of marine litter collected in Fishing for

Litter initiatives, including landfilling if relevant and in line with waste legislation.

74.

Encouraging all fishing vessels to be involved in Fishing for Litter schemes, where they are available.

75. Ensuring that any vessel involved in the scheme can land non-operational waste collected at sea at

any participating harbour.

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Reduction of abandoned, lost and otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)

76. Undertaking an awareness-raising campaign to make fishermen aware of their obligations under EU

Control Regulation (1224/2009) with regard to reporting, marking and retrieval of lost nets, including

reviewing guidance to fishermen, and if required, proposing changes.

Theme D: Education and outreach

Education

77. Promoting education activities in synergy with existing initiatives in the field of sustainable

development and in partnership with civil society (including activities related to prevention and promotion

of sustainable consumption and production).

78. Promoting curricula for marine-related education, including the recreational sector (e.g. diving and

sailing schools), which develop awareness, understanding, and respect for the marine environment and

secure commitment to responsible behaviour at personal, local, national and global level.

79.

Promoting or adopting environmental awareness courses for fishermen and the fishery sector.

Outreach

80.

81.

Encourage participation in International, EU and National Litter Cleanup Campaigns.

Promoting the “Adopt a beach” system.

82. Raising public awareness of the occurrence, impact and prevention of marine litter, including micro

plastics.

83. Supporting/initiating community/business-based producer responsibility schemes or deposit

systems, for example on recycling fishing nets.

84. Developing collective agreements between Contracting Parties, NGOs and industry to tackle

particular problems of marine litter

SECTION III – Monitoring and Assessment

85. Article 6 and Annex IV of the OSPAR Convention outline the requirement to assess the quality of the

marine environment. Contracting Parties are obliged to “undertake and publish at regular intervals joint

assessments of the quality status of the marine environment and of its development, for the maritime area

or for regions or sub-regions thereof”. They are also required to “include in such assessments both an

evaluation of the effectiveness of the measures taken and planned for the protection of the marine

environment and the identification of priorities for action.”

86. In order to obtain reliable and comparable monitoring data within the OSPAR area to assess the state

of marine litter in the marine environment and the effectiveness of the actions taken, it is important to

coordinate monitoring programmes trans-nationally and, whenever possible, to adopt consistent

methodologies to collect, record and report data. A beach litter indicator is already in operation for the

whole OSPAR area and the indicator for plastic particles in fulmar stomachs for the North Sea. They allow

identification of different categories of litter, providing information on potential origin and an analysis of

trends in individual items. In the case of the fulmar, an Ecological Quality Objective is applied encompassing

For example the Chain Agreement on Recycling Plastic in the Netherlands

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specific and measurable objectives: “There should be less than 10% of northern fulmars (fulmarus

glacialis)

having more than 0.1 g plastic particles in the stomachs in samples of 50-100 beach-washed fulmars found

from each of 4 to 5 areas of the North Sea over a period of at least five years”.

87. OSPAR has developed common and candidate indicators, with a particular focus on MSFD

requirements covering the following issues:

beach litter

plastic particles in biota

seabed litter

micro plastics

88. The objective is that the indicators are applied by Contracting Parties in coordinated monitoring

programmes. The monitoring programmes should be linked, where relevant, to monitoring obligations

under Article 11 of the MSFD. Further development of these and other indicators e.g. on ingestion of litter

in other biota (e.g. fish and turtles) and for other relevant impacts (e.g. entanglement of biota in marine

litter) will take place under OSPAR’s Environmental Impact of Human Activities Committee (EIHA).

89. Marine litter will be considered by the Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme (JAMP). The

JAMP sets out the process for achieving OSPAR´s major assessment products i.e. the intermediate

Assessment in 2017 and the next Quality Status Report (QSR). Whereas the intermediate assessment will

mainly consist of the results of assessment of agreed common indicators, the QSR will include more

integrated assessment approaches. These should include cumulative assessment of pressures or advances

of understanding on socio-economic issues, as well as to respond to the targets set out in the North-East

Atlantic Environment Strategy. Reporting is envisaged for June 2016 and June 2020 to fit with the above

assessments, with the objective to monitor levels of beach and seabed litter in the OSPAR maritime area,

assess quantities, types, sources and trends of marine and beach litter as well as litter in biota. Assessment

should include whether the introduction and levels of litter in the marine environment (including in marine

organisms) and on beaches causes harm. This relates closely to MSFD Descriptor 10, under which

achievement of Good Environmental Status by 2020 requires that: “properties and quantities of marine

litter do not cause harm to the coastal and marine environment”.

90. Any operational or reduction targets developed in relation to specific actions or measures produced

under the framework of the RAP will be assessed through the JAMP and based upon the monitoring for the

common indicators, where applicable. The next QSR should assess the effectiveness of the plan in achieving

the aims of the North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy.

91. Relevant research and development programmes should also be coordinated in order to make best

use of expertise and (EU) resources. Main and emerging R&D topics are related to the development of an

indicator and monitoring for micro plastics, quantification of harm, relation between harm and risk and

monitoring, assessing the relevance of riverine litter.

SECTION IV – Implementation and Reporting

92. The overall OSPAR Regional Action Plan on Marine litter is implemented through Agreement 2014-1.

Contracting Parties will use the implementation reporting process to update OSPAR on their national

progress in implementing the plan. However, individual actions recommended above, particularly those

which have a regional focus, may also be implemented through guidelines, recommendations or decisions,

depending upon their topic.

93. The OSPAR Regional Action Plan will be implemented during the period 2014-2021, after which time

it shall be reviewed and updated in accordance with the outcomes of the Quality Status Report 2021, the

new OSPAR Strategy, and assessments under the MSFD.

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94. The regional plan will be implemented by means of OSPAR’s measures, guidelines and other

agreements included in the Implementation Plan presented in Annex I as well as Contracting Parties’

national programmes of measures, joint activities and partnerships with other organisations. Some

milestones to support implementation have already been identified.

95. In order for OSPAR to be able to effectively monitor progress, Contracting Parties should report

against their national implementation of the actions set out in this Regional Action Plan (Agreement

2014-1), using the format in Annex II, to EIHA every second year, starting in 2016.

96. Task leads should report against progress on the development of regional OSPAR actions as set out in

the Regional Action Plan ('OSPAR Collective Actions') to EIHA.

97. Reporting against targets and an assessment of the effectiveness of the Regional Action Plan should

be undertaken as part of the assessment and monitoring process outlined in the JAMP 2014-2021.

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Annex I

Regional Action Plan for Prevention and Management of Marine Litter in the North-East Atlantic (RAP) Implementation Plan

– OSPAR Actions

This table sets out the planned implementation for actions listed in the Regional Action Plan, adopted in 2014. Action numbers in the Regional Action Plan are

transposed into this document.

Details include the expected OSPAR measure where known, but will not pre-empt the final decision being made on the best approach to implementation. The

table also contains the expected target date for the implemented action and the lead countries for developing the work where this is known.

As an implementation plan this table is by definition an evolving document subject to annual review.

RAP

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ACTION

The following Actions are listed in the Regional Action Plan. Numbers refer to

paragraph numbers in the Action Plan.

Type of OSPAR

Measure

Expected measure,

however final decisions

will be made once the

actions are further

developed

Not yet Decided

ICG-ML

Lead Party / Parties

Implementation Year

The target year for

developing the

measure/

implementing action

Develop and agree regionally coordinated SMART reduction/operational

targets linked to relevant actions as contained in this implementation plan,

starting from 2015, including those linked to sources.

From 2015

Theme A: Actions to combat sea-based source

Harmonised system for port reception facilities

Ensure regional coordination on the implementation of EU Directive

2000/59/EC in relation to MARPOL Annex V ship generated waste.

Not yet decided

Belgium, Germany,

Netherlands,

With assistance from

Seas at Risk.

Background document

in 2015

Draft proposal for a

measure by 2016

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OSPAR will assist the European Commission in the ongoing revision of EU

Directive 2000/59/EC.

Sweden and

Germany, with

assistance from Seas

at Risk and the

Secretariat.

Letter to EU 2014 and

participation in the

public consultation

Enforcement of international legislation/regulation regarding all sectors

Identify best practice in relation to inspections for MARPOL Annex V ship

generated waste, including better management of reporting data, taking into

consideration the Paris MOU on port state control.

Not yet decided

Belgium with the

participation of

Sweden

[2016]

Seek dialogue with the Paris MOU to take the risk of illegal waste discharges

into consideration for the prioritisation of port state control inspections.

Incentives for responsible behaviour/disincentives for littering

2016

Improve implementation of the ISO standard 201070:2013 in relation to port

reception facilities.

Not yet decided

Belgium and

Netherlands

Background document

in 2015

Draft proposal for a

measure by 2016

Identify the options to address key waste items from the fishing industry and

aquaculture, which could contribute to marine litter, including deposit

schemes, voluntary agreements and extended producer responsibility.

Develop best practice in relation to fishing industry

Not yet decided

France, Belgium and

EU, with

participation from

Portugal

Background report

2015/6

Through a multinational project, together with the fishing industry and

competent authorities develop and promote best practice in relation to

marine litter. All relevant aspects (including e.g. dolly rope, waste

Guidelines

Sweden and the

United Kingdom,

with participation of

2016

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management on board, waste management at harbours and operational

losses/net cuttings) should be included.

Investigate the prevalence and impact of dolly rope

(synthetic fibre). Engage

with competent authorities (such as National Authorities, EU, NEAFC etc.) and

the fishing industry in order to work together to reduce the waste generated

by dolly rope on a (sub) regional basis.

Not yet decided

the Netherlands and

Norway

Netherlands

2016

Fines for Littering at Sea

Analyse penalties and fines issued by Contracting Parties for waste disposal

offences at sea to highlight the differences, trends, problem areas and issues

to relevant organisations, such as the North Sea Network of Investigators and

Prosecutors.

Germany

2015

Theme B: Actions to combat land-based sources

Improved waste prevention and management

Highlight those waste management practices that impact significantly on

marine litter. Engage with the industry and other authorities, at the

appropriate level, in order for them to be able to develop best environmental

practice, including identification of circumstances on where litter “escapes”

into the marine environment

and investigating how to close loops focusing on

non-toxic material cycles.

Not yet decided

Germany, with

participation of the

Netherlands

2016

Share best practice on waste management, e.g. on landfill bans of high caloric

wastes (esp. for plastics).

Germany, with

participation of the

Netherlands

[2016]

Bunches of polyethylene threads used to protect the codend of demersal trawlnet from abrasions

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Exchange experience on best practice to prevent litter entering into water

systems and highlight these to River or River basin Commissions.

Reduction of sewage and storm water related waste

Netherlands with the

assistance of

Germany

Report 2015

Investigate and promote with appropriate industries the use of Best Available

Techniques (BAT) and Best Environmental Practice (BEP) to develop

sustainable and cost effective solutions to reducing and preventing sewage

and storm water related waste entering the marine environment, including

micro particles.

Recommendation

and/or guidelines

Ireland, Norway and

Sweden.

Background document

2016

Proposal for a

recommendation

/guidelines by 2017

Incentives for responsible behaviour/ Disincentives for littering

Assess relevant instruments and incentives to reduce the use of single-use

and other items, which impact the marine environment, including the

illustration of the associated costs and environmental impacts.

Germany and Ireland

Report by 2016

Reduce the consumption of single use plastic bags and their presence in the

marine environment, supported by the development of quantifiable (sub)

regional targets, where appropriate, and assist in the development of relevant

EU initiatives.

Encourage international environmental certification schemes to include the

management and prevention of marine litter in their lists of criteria.

Not yet decided

Intersessional

Correspondence

Group on Marine

Litter

Netherlands

Propose a specific

target for presence of

plastic bags in the

marine environment,

2015

2016

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RAP

§ no.

Elimination, change or adaptation of the products for environmental

benefits

Evaluate all products and processes that include primary micro plastics and

act, if appropriate, to reduce their impact on the marine environment.

Engage with all appropriate sectors (manufacturing, retail etc.) to explore the

possibility of a voluntary agreement to phase out the use of micro plastics as a

component in personal care and cosmetic products. Should a voluntary

agreement prove not to be sufficient, prepare a proposal for OSPAR to call on

the EU to introduce appropriate measures to achieve a 100% phasing out of

micro plastics in personal care and cosmetic products.

Evaluate the potential harm caused to the marine environment by items such

as cigarette filters/butts, balloons, shotgun wads, cotton buds and bio-film

support media used in sewage plants. Based on this evaluation, proposals can

be made on the elimination, change or adaptation requirements for these