Marine litter has become an urgent issue across the world, with thousands of pieces of trash estimated to be afloat on every square mile of ocean. If nothing changes, the oceans may well have more plastic than fish (by weight) by 2050. Such staggering amounts of plastic will have severe impacts on the functioning of ocean ecosystems and the economic, health, and climate services they provide.
The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region is not immune to this challenge, with the growing amount of debris and litter exacting environmental, economic, safety, health and cultural tolls on countries in the region. Although there are several national and regional initiatives related to curbing marine litter, coordination and sharing of best practices and lessons has been limited.
In acknowledgment of this growing threat, the Contracting Parties of the Nairobi Convention, at the ninth Conference of Parties in 2018, requested its Secretariat to develop a regional strategy or action plan on marine litter management and to create a working group on marine litter. The Nairobi Convention states are also implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the Protection of the Western Indian Ocean from Land-Based Sources and Activities (WIOSAP) project, whose main objective is to protect the WIO from land-based stresses and activities.
In response, a Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter has been developed and validated by regional governments. The Action Plan, designed to support achievement of SDG 14.1 on preventing marine pollution, identifies the needs, operations, and investment required in marine litter management. The Action Plan already suggests several practical actions and interventions, including improving port reception facilities so that they can effectively manage waste generated from ships and identifying probably “hotspots” of sources for plastics. Other ideas include eliminating, changing or adapting plastic products—for example through a plastic bag ban or tax—and designing standard methodologies for studying, monitoring, and reporting on marine litter for the region.
Additionally, the Nairobi Convention Secretariat, in coordination with Western Indian Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and partners, established a Group of Experts on Marine Litter and Microplastics. The main objectives of the Group are to provide a forum for sharing and exchange of information; provide policy guidance and advice to the Nairobi Convention and other regional frameworks; and produce peer-reviewed publications and other products. At the first meeting in June 2019, the Group reviewed its Terms of References and leadership, identified ongoing initiatives, and drafted a three-year workplan.
A major priority of the Group is to help implement the Regional Action Plan. It is currently focusing on conducting a regional assessment on the status of marine litter and microplastics knowledge, which will include both technical and policy/institutional analyses. The assessment will recommend actions and options towards strengthening existing frameworks and effectively responding to this problem—in the hopes that enhanced knowledge and improved mechanisms can create lasting solutions to this looming threat.
For more information on marine litter and the Nairobi Convention, please contact Jared Bosire.
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