Resources

Marine litter is a pressing and growing global environmental challenge, but also an economic opportunity; preventing marine litter can enable materials and their value to remain in circular economy

Marine litter – any persistent, manufactured or pro-cessed solid material that has been discarded, dis-posed of, abandoned in, or eventually reaches the marine or coastal environment – has…

RECALLING Article 38(a) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Marine Environment Protection Committee conferred upon it by international conventions for the prevention and control of marine pollution from ships,

This report focuses on the present state of knowledge on the occurrence and effects of microplastics (i.e. plastic particles less than 5 mm in their longest dimension) on aquatic organisms, especially commercially important species, as well as the possible implications for seafood safety and security. The widespread use of plastic materials in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, and the…

The updated report entitled “Scientific synthesis of the impacts of underwater noise on marine and coastal biodiversity and habitats”,1and invitesParties, other Governments and relevant organizations to make use of this information, as appropriate, within their competencies, and in accordance with national legislation and international agreements;

Every year, the sum of humanity’s knowledge increases exponentially. And as we learn more, we also learn there is much we still don’t know. Plastic litter in our oceans is one area where we need to learn more, and we need to learn it quickly. That’s one of the main messages in Marine Litter Vital Graphics. Another important message is that we already know enough to take action.

This review focuses mainly on the extent, sources, pathways and effects of plastics and microplastics in LC/LP waste streams, since scientific research in recent years has highlighted the negative effects of plastic contaminants on marine biota; other categories are taken into consideration only when their presence in waste streams could be considered a problem (e.g. smothering of benthic…

This report provides insights on the gender, human rights and economic dimensions of marine plastic litter to inform project design and activities and to ensure a fair, equitable and ethically-sound course of action, that leads to more effective, appropriate and sustainable outcomes in the longer term. The analysis highlights initial findings and existing knowledge gaps and provides…

Abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), also called derelict fishing gear, cause substantial ecological and socio-economic problems. An estimated 6.4 million tonnes of marine debris are added to global seas annually (UNEP, 2005a). ALDFG is estimated to compose less than 10 percent of total marine debris by volume at a global scale but the composition of marine debris and density of…

Marine debris is recognized as a globally significant stressor on the marine and coastal environment, with impacts on marine biodiversity having been reported over the last four decades. There are also socioeconomic impacts, as debris can be a health and safety hazard and can also affect commercially significant resources. The vast majority of marine debris is made up of various forms of…

The United Nation’s 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development (A/RES/70/1)

Impacts on marine and coastal biodiversity of anthropogenic underwater noise and ocean acidification, priority actions to achieve Aichi Biodiversity Target 10 for coral reefs and closely associated ecosystems, and marine spatial planning and training initiatives.

Marine debris is any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material discarded, disposed of, or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment. While this definition encompasses a wide range of materials, most items fall into a relatively small number of material types such as glass, metal, paper and plastic. Plastic items are the most abundant type of marine debris on a global scale and…

Further actions to address plastic waste under the Basel Convention

RECALLING Article 38(e) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization (the Organization) concerning the functions of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (the Committee) conferred upon it by international conventions for the prevention and control of marine pollution from ships,

Recalling article 38(a) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (the Committee) conferred upon it by international conventions for the prevention and control of marine pollution,

RECALLING Article 38(a) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Marine Environment Protection Committee conferred upon it by international conventions for the prevention and control of marine pollution.

 All Decisions on plastic waste, including BC13/17 Work programme and operations of the Open-ended Working Group for the biennium 2018–2019, BC14/12 Amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX to the Basel Convention, BC14/13 Further actions to address plastic waste under the Basel Convention, OEWG 11/7 Amendment to Annex IX to the Basel Convention, and OEWG 11/8 Marine plastic litter and…

Plastic waste and especially marine plastic litter is an environmental problem occurring on a global scale today. The ubiquitous transboundary movement of plastic wastes and microplastics is becoming a major concern as their property of durability makes their particles remain for long period of time.

Report of the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention,UNEP/CHW.2/30Report of the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention,UNEP/CHW.3/34Report of the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention,UNEP/CHW.4/35Report of the Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention