Marine litter is a complex problem originating from a variety of land- and sea-based sources that negatively impact the environment, society and the economy. Mitigating this problem requires a policy mix addressing the sources and impacts of marine litter at the most appropriate geographical levels. To tackle this challenge, the CleanSea project developed a portfolio of policy options for the relevant authorities in the four EU marine regions: the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Baltic Sea and North-East Atlantic Ocean. The resulting policy options aim to prevent and reduce marine litter and, in particular, to support the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive1 (MSFD). They include not only those measures and practices that can be implemented quickly within the first MSFD cycle (before 2018), but also longer-term options to address structural gaps and shortcomings in the policy framework and institutional set-up. |
