Marine litter

Abstract

Some 275 million metric tons of plastics/annum are produced from 192 countries, with 4.8-12.7 million metric tons entering the oceans each year. Of this circa 80% is land based as a result of poor waste management, insufficient recycling and recovery with plastics dominating its content (50-80%). Some 70% of marine litter ends up on the seabed, 15% on beaches and 15% in the water column. Cutting down these amounts necessitates global action. Some of the main procedures undertaken are: Reducing plastic input and change to re-use together with degradable plastics; the use of economic instruments; continuing to clean beaches manually or with machines; developing a new methodology; the use of innovative techniques; education and having a "General? in charge.