Marine Litter Program

Background

Marine Litter is solid waste left or thrown away by humans either on beaches or in seas. Some of marine litter can reach the marine environment through other sources such as valleys and sewages. There are many different types, including paper, iron and plastics, and sizes for marine litter. Plastic litter can take a long time for decomposition. Some of plastic litter types are tiny pieces “Micrploastics” that are not seen by naked eyes. This PERSGA leaflet has more information on marine litter.
There are global concerns and efforts to protect the marine environment from litter, including microplastics, because it causes several problems, including environmental and socio-economic impacts, worldwide. Many international bodies, such as United Nation Environment (UNE), have increased their efforts and have undertaken activities to combat marine litter.
The Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) has made effective efforts and implemented activities to reduce impacts of litter on the marine environment in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region. Many of these activities have been undertaken in cooperation with PERSGA member countries and with support of UNE within the framework of the Regional Marine Litter Program.

Program Objectives

The Regional Marine Litter Program aimsto protect the environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region from impacts of litter and support the PERSGA member countries in managing marine litter with the following main objectives:

  • To raise awareness of marine litter impacts, including microplastics;
  • To understand the status and effects of the marine litter in the region;
  • To enhance national capacity building for management of marine litter; and
  • To develop programs and actions to reduce impacts of marine litter in the region.
Program Activities

PERGSA is achieving the objectives of the Program through implementation of the following main activities:

  • Assessing marine litter in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region;
  • Conducting a regional monitoring program in the region;
  • Organizing and holding:
  • Regional and national meetings/training workshops on marine litter management;
  • National and local awareness-raising workshops on marine litter impacts;
  • National training workshops on marine litter management.
  • Developing:
  • Regional and national actions plans for marine litter management;
  • Awareness- raising programs on marine litter effects;
  • Manuals/Guidelines for assessment of marine litter; and
  • Guidelines to prepare a national actions plan on marine litter.
  • Undertaking beach and underwater clean-up campaigns; and
  • Producing communication/awareness materials on marine litter.
Program Outputs (to date)

Publications

  • ProtocolConcerning the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (Article 7, Solid Waste Management). (Arabic) (English)
  • Marine Litter in PERSGA. (English)
  • Regional Action Plan for the Sustainable Management of Marine Litter in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. (Arabic) (English)
  • Guidelines for Assessment and Monitoring of Coastal Beach Marine Litter in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. (Arabic) (English)
  • Guidelines to prepare National Action Plans to manage marine litter in the PERSGA region. (In progress)

Awareness Materials

  • Marine Litter (Video-) (Leaflet)
  • Clean-up Our Seas (Poster) 
Steps Forward

PERSGA will continue implementation of the activities to meet the program objectives and the priority actions identified in the Regional Action Plan for the Sustainable Management of Marine Litter in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The next key activities are expected to be completed by end of 2020. 

  • Developing
  • National Action Plans for the Sustainable Management of Marine for PERSGA member countries; and
  • A Regional Manual on Marine Litter Surveys; and

More awareness materials on marine litter

  • Organizing and holding:
  • National training workshops on marine litter assessment;
  • More national (and local) awareness-raising workshops on marine litter; and