Marine litter is a global concern, affecting all the oceans of the world. More monitoring data and comparable approaches to obtain a better understanding of the global impacts of marine litter are urgently required.
How can ICES play a role in the harmonisation and coordination of common and comparable monitoring approaches? Which type of marine litter programmes and data products can be delivered in combination with fisheries surveys? What type of assessments are needed to inform decision makers? This session focusses in reviwing existing protocols, guidelines and QA/QC in terms of the marine litter monitoring programmes based on fisheries surveys. What is needed to further harmonise and streamline marine litter monitoring programmes?
Within the ICES science and advice community, the marine litter work is dependent on several networks and integration across a wide group of scientists in the network. Is there a role for an ICES Expert Group on Marine Litter and ICES advice? What would be the priorities of such group?
This session will discuss how marine litter work can be harmonized and integrated in existing fisheries surveys to meet the needs of monitoring and advice as required by current legislation such as the EU MSFD or to follow up on the effectiveness of international frameworks, actions and measures such as the OSPAR RAP, G7 action plan, UNGPML and Honolulu Strategy. We will aim to create an overview of the different marine litter activities in the ICES community and abroad to consider how ICES could link the necessary interdisciplinary knowledge across its different working groups involved in marine litter and its impacts.
