C.3.1 Improve evidence base on harm in relation to marine litter
Action Theme: Theme C: Actions to reduce Cross cutting land and sea based sources of marine litter
Action number: C.3.1
Action Title: Improve evidence base on harm in relation to marine litter
Lead Party(ies): Germany
Image: ©Shutterstock
What is the issue?
Marine litter has become a major stressor of marine wildlife. Therefore, measures to combat litter pollution are necessary and rely on available data from research as well as monitoring and assessment programmes.
What has OSPAR done?
OSPAR has conducted a review of more than 70 relevant studies on ingestion, entanglement and other impacts of marine litter on biota and habitats. There are however only a small number of standardised protocols to measure these impacts, with diverse methods to detect harmful impacts that lack reproducibility. The review can support the development of new common indicators within OSPAR to support future action.
Final outputs and published reports
A report entiitled 'Impacts of marine litter on biota in the OSPAR Maritime Area: A review of previous and current studies" was published as part of the QSR 2023.
