Eliminating Microplastic Pollution: OSPAR developments on Marine Litter Dr Darius Campbell Executive Secretary OSPAR Commission Photo: F.Kirckhof

OSPAR Commission OSPAR Maritime Area and Regions: 16 Contracting Parties Belgium Denmark Finland France Germany Iceland Ireland Luxembourg The Netherlands Norway Portugal Spain Sweden Switzerland The United Kingdom European Union OSPAR Maritime Area and Regions: Region I: Arctic Waters Region II: Greater North Sea Region III: Celtic Seas Region IV: Bay of Biscay/Iberian Coast Region V: Wider Atlantic

OSPAR Convention Main Objectives Prevent and eliminate pollution protect the maritime area against the adverse effects of human activities safeguard human health and conserve marine ecosystems when practicable, restore marine areas I’ve already mentioned the OSPAR’s high level objectives. OSPAR has dealt with reducing pollution and dumping very effectively over the years. But since the late 90s, it also includes biodiversity protection which naturally covers a whole range of impacts of human activities. OSPAR’s guiding principles are set out here; but its good to note that these principles are based on an understanding of continued use of the marine environment and its resources, an echo of which I see in your biosphere Isle of Man approach.

We note that quantities of litter in many areas of the North-East Atlantic are unacceptable… we will continue to develop reduction measures and targets… resulting in a reduction in 2020

OSPAR Common Indicators Beach Litter Plastic particles in Fulmars stomachs Seabed litter (IBTS) In development: Microplastics Plastic particles in fish and turtles stomachs

OSPAR Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter OSPAR common actions OSPAR to raise to other competent bodies National Actions Sea-Based Land-based

Key Action Areas Port Reception Facilities Improved waste management Waste from Fishing industry Fines for littering at sea Fishing for Litter Abandoned and lost Fishing gear Floating Litter hotspots Education and outreach Improved waste management Sewage/stormwater run-off Reduction of single use items Removal of micro plastics from products/zero pellet loss Redesign of harmful products Photo: Sandy Britain Sustainable Coastlines

Microplastics are certainly in the news

Closing the plastic value chain: measures for reducing microplastic emissions

Sources of Microplastics Action 46: Evaluate all products and processes that include primary micro plastics… … and act, if appropriate, to reduce their impact on the marine environment.

Sources of Microplastics Action 46: Evaluate all products and processes that include primary micro plastics… … and act, if appropriate, to reduce their impact on the marine environment.

Sources of Microplastics Action 46: Evaluate all products and processes that include primary micro plastics… …and act, if appropriate, to reduce their impact on the marine environment.

Microplastics in cosmetic products Action 47: Engage and explore a voluntary agreement to phase out the use of micro plastics 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…

Sewage/Storm Water Land based: Action 42: Investigate and promote the use of Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practice to develop sustainable and cost-effective solutions….

Aim to match decisions to geography and ecosystems Another reason OSPAR remains relevant for our Contracting Parties is that its aims are to match decisions to the geography, ecosystems and the political priorities of our Contracting Parties. Indeed having the OSPAR regions, such as the Celtic Seas, enhances that flexibility. So whether a Contracting Party is in the EU or not or whether it is landlocked like Switzerland or Luxembourg, its influence on the ecosystem is a prime consideration within OSPAR

start disentangling the issues OSPAR Background Documents; trying to disentangle the issues start disentangling the issues Photo: S. de Wolf (EcoMare)

Next Steps Photo: Camden Howett sustainable coastlines

Cost effective regulation?

Evolution?