Progress on Marine Litter Regional Plan implementation in the Mediterranean Project Coordination Group Meeting

ML policy and legal background At Global and regional levels: UNEP Leadership through GPA and Regional Seas Manila declaration of GPA, 2012: ML a key priority Honolulu Commitment and Rio+20 target on ML, 2012 EU MSFD, OSPAR, HELCOM and other regional Seas At UNEP/MAP: Barcelona Convention LBS Protocol regulates ML management Prevention and Emergency Protocol Offshore Protocol Dumping protocol COP 7 1991: First measures on marine litter adopted SAP MED 1997: Adequate solid waste management in place by 2025 by all countries COP 17, 2012 : Strategic Framework for Marine Litter management inspired and supported by UNEP work COP 17, 2012: Ecological and operational objectives on marine litter adopted COP 18, December 2013 Legally binding measures and implementation time tables adopted (MLRP) Detailed Implementation Work Plan adopted List of priority research topics identified Reporting Elements agreed Indicative Cost of Implementing measures defined UNEP/MAP the first UNEP Regional Sea Convention adopting legally binding measures on marine litter The Barcelona Convention (1976, amended in 1995, in force since 2004) and its seven Protocols: Dumping Protocol (1976, in force since 1978, amended in 1995); Prevention and Emergency Protocol (2002,in force since 2004 replacing Emergency Protocol of 1976); Land-based Sources and Activities Protocol (adopted 1996, in force since 2008 replacing LBS Protocol of 1980); SPA and Biodiversity Protocol (1995, in force since 1999 replacing SPA Protocol of 1982); Offshore Protocol (1994, in force since 2011); Hazardous Wastes Protocol (1996, in force since 2008); Integrated Coastal Zone Management Protocol (2008, in force since 2011).

Regional Plan objectives and ECAP targets Objectives ( ML RP) Prevent ML Generation Reduce to the minimum ML and its impacts Remove existing ML to the extent possible Manage ML in accordance with accepted international and regional standards and approaches Enhance knowledge about ML sources, quantities and impacts ML ECAP Targets (COP 18, 2013) Decreasing trend in the number of ML items deposited on the coast Decreasing trend in the number of ML items in the water surface and the seafloor Decreasing trend in the cases of entanglement or/and a decreasing trend in the stomach content of the sentinel species

Marine Litter Regional Plan Measures Pollution Control Pollution Prevention Measures SCP tools Widely agreed Existing ML removal Targets Measure Implementation Reporting Clear Obligations Cooperation Partnership with Stakeholders at national and regional levels Implementation Flexibility 4

Package of Innovative measures: Prevention Extended Producer Responsibility Sustainable Procurement Policies Fiscal and economic instruments to promote the reduction of plastic bag Agreements with Plastic Packaging Deposits, Return and Restoration System Agreements with retailers/supermarkets to set reduction objective Gear marking to indicate ownership” ‘reduced ghost catches (use of environmental neutral upon degradation of nets, pots and traps) Procedures and manufacturing methodologies with plastic industry to minimize the decomposition characteristics of plastic, to reduce micro-plastic. There is also ongoing work in the framework of SWITCH-MED on SCP pilot activities related to prevention of marine litter, with a focus on eco-packaging (in Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon) and marine litter prevention will be also an important part of the upcoming SCP Action Plan. 5

Incentive and other participatory measures No-special-fee approach where appropriate Fishing for Litter system Compulsory national programmes on the removal of existing marine litter and disposal National Beach Cleanup Campaigns International Coastal Cleanup Campaigns Adopt-a-Beach practices The Barcelona Convention (1976, amended in 1995, in force since 2004) and its seven Protocols: Dumping Protocol (1976, in force since 1978, amended in 1995); Prevention and Emergency Protocol (2002,in force since 2004 replacing Emergency Protocol of 1976); Land-based Sources and Activities Protocol (adopted 1996, in force since 2008 replacing LBS Protocol of 1980); SPA and Biodiversity Protocol (1995, in force since 1999 replacing SPA Protocol of 1982); Offshore Protocol (1994, in force since 2011); Hazardous Wastes Protocol (1996, in force since 2008); Integrated Coastal Zone Management Protocol (2008, in force since 2011). 6

By 2025: ISWM for agglomerations of 20 000 or more inhabitants Enhanced solid WM measures and strict timetables to reduce and prevent ML By 2025: ISWM for agglomerations of 20 000 or more inhabitants By 2020: Illegal land dumpsites closure By 2020: Adequate urban sewer, WWTP, and WMS to prevent run-off and litter riverine inputs By 2020: Cost effective measures to prevent any marine littering from dredging activities Enforcement measures to combat dumping including littering on the beach, illegal sewage disposal in the sea, coastal zone and rivers. With key importance of illegal and dumpsites closure. 7

ML Assessment&Monitoring&Reserach Assess status of ML every 6 years Regional Monitoring Programme by 2015 ML Regional Data bank by 2016 Regional ML Monitoring Expert group by 2014 National ML Monitoring Programme by 2016 Research topics identified to: Improve knowledge gap Support implementation of measures 8

Implementation MLRP: The way forward Focus on priorities taking into account that Measures should be implemented in a coherent manner Promoting prevention measures through the application of sustainable lifestyles, production and consumption at both public and producer levels Harmonized marine litter monitoring across the countries and regions as appropriate Indispensible roles of all stakeholders: government, local authorities, producers, NGOs, port authorities, public, research institutions, Regional organizations, industry A ML baseline and reduction target in a near future (baseline assessment ongoing). 9

Implementation Actions 2014-2015 NAPs update to address MLRP measures NAP update Guidelines adopted March 2014, Athens; Work to prepare NAPs started ML Monitoring Programme 2014, Monitoring guidance developed in synergy with MDSFD TSG on ML work Assessment of national monitoring needs, 2015 MED Hot spots and priority contaminants list update to consider ML as appropriate ( NAP update) SWITCH MED project/EU Adriatic Jonian Strategy: ML highlighted H2020: Solid WM a higher priority UfM Projects mobilization on ML Update of ML assessment update with objective to propose baseline! ( reduction target) Fishing for litter best practices in process

Implementation actions 2014-2015 H2020 Regional Training on ML, May 2014 Marlisco best practices to be disseminated (Arabic) Internal coordination ongoing inside UNEP-MAP to highlight priorities and identify a specific implementation roadmap by December 2014 Cooridnation with Ospar and Helcom in progress State of art and Review of existing specific guidelines related to ML in process UNEP ML Global Forum and support; participate in global UNEP ML projects Challenge: how to better benefit from existing projects (EU, SWEEP, WB, etc) to maximize results in an effective manner THANK YOU For more information please contact: Tatiana.Hema@unepmap.gr