OSPAR tackles marine litter pollution

OSPAR has been at the forefront of international efforts to tackle the marine litter problem for the past decade. Its Second Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter adopted in 2022 will run until 2030 and is composed of 25 coordinated and collective actions to prevent and significantly reduce marine litter in the North-East Atlantic. In 2025, OSPAR is strengthening its action to tackle marine litter pollution by adopting a Recommendation on the application of best practice to reduce marine litter, new dedicated best practice for the use of biomedia in wastewater treatment plants, a report furthering its understanding of the use of chafing gear with a focus on dolly ropes. OSPAR is also adopting a progress report on the implementation of its Regional Action Plan to ensure OSPAR is targeting its work on those issues where it can most add value.

OSPAR list of best environmental practice for reducing marine litter (OSPAR Agreement 2025-13e)

BRIEFING NOTE: OSPAR tackles marine litter pollution