OSPAR agrees new 8 year action plan for a cleaner, healthier NE Atlantic

OSPAR’s Second Regional Action Plan for the Prevention and Management of Marine Litter in the North-East Atlantic (2022 – 2030) was adopted today.

OSPAR has been at the forefront of international efforts to tackle the marine litter problem since the adoption of its first Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP ML ) (2014-2021). Through this Second Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP ML 2), OSPAR will continue to work to prevent and significantly reduce marine litter in the North-East Atlantic.

The first RAP ML consisted of both collective and national actions, addressing land- and sea-based sources and pathways of marine litter, as well as education, outreach and removal activities.  Outputs have included recommendations and guidelines, best practice guidance, evidence reports, briefing papers, stakeholder workshops, and communication products.

A review of the RAP ML was conducted in 2020 and the results have been used to inform the development of OSPAR’s RAP ML 2. More information on the first RAP ML, including all outputs can be found on the OSPAR Marine Litter webpages.

KIMO is delighted to once again be an active participant in OSPAR’s Regional Action Plan. We will be taking the lead on the following actions in RAP ML 2:

• Reduce microplastic contamination from artificial grass:This action will help reduce microplastic pollution from artificial grass by gathering information, concluding best practice, developing guidance for use by Contracting Parties, providing potential next steps for consideration as an OSPAR Recommendation by ICG-ML.
• Promote practical solutions for reducing the impact of certain specific fishing related items, such as net cuttings and dolly rope:This action aims to reduce the impact of certain items through a combination of awareness raising efforts, stimulating measures, sharing of best practices and harmonization with other projects and initiatives.

We will also be offering support on the following actions:

• Monitor, prevent and reduce riverine inputs of macro litter to the marine environment and share knowledge on micro litter monitoring
• Harmonise practises related to the provision and use of Port Reception Facilities
• Raise awareness and improve education in the fishing sector, including the strengthening of the OSPAR recommendations on Fishing for litter and on Sustainability Education Programmes for Fishers
• Prevent microplastic pollution resulting from plastic pellet, powder and flake loss

The full text of the new action plan will be published next week during the UN Ocean Conference and will be shared on OSPAR and KIMO’s social media accounts.

We look forward to working together with OSPAR and its contracting parties to deliver on this ambitious plan for a healthier NE Atlantic.