From 17 to 20 June, the semi-annual meeting of the OSPAR Intersessional Correspondence Group for Marine Litter (ICG-ML) took place in Antwerp. This working group brings together experts from countries bordering the North-East Atlantic Ocean who focus on tackling marine litter.
The meeting was preceded by a thematic workshop on riverine litter, organized by the Marine Environment Department of the FPS Public Health in collaboration with France and the Netherlands. The workshop aimed to gather input for the OSPAR monitoring protocol on riverine litter and to share best practices for source prevention, a strategy that seeks to reduce the amount of waste by preventing it, rather than managing or recycling it.
From monitoring to solutions
These efforts fall under Action A.3.1 of OSPAR’s second Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter, which focuses on monitoring macro- and microplastics entering the sea via rivers. Belgium, the Netherlands, and France are taking the lead on this action.
During interactive breakout sessions, participants discussed the obstacles countries face in implementing the monitoring protocol, the associated costs, and the stakeholders that should be involved. The session on source prevention and clean-up techniques explored how OSPAR can support local actions. By developing guidelines, sharing success stories, and creating supporting toolkits, for instance. Afterwards, participants went into the field for demonstrations on different monitoring methods, including the use of drones, a JRC app (Joint Research Centre of the European Commission), and quadrants. These demonstrations were led by the INSPIRE project team.
Four Days of International Cooperation
Following the workshop, the formal OSPAR ICG-ML meeting began on 17 June. It lasted four days and was held at the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) in Antwerp. The meeting brought together monitoring experts (in beach litter, seafloor litter, microplastics, and riverine litter) and policymakers involved in the Regional Action Plan. The Belgian delegation included staff from the Marine Environment Department and OVAM (Public Waste Agency of Flanders).
As the action plan is currently halfway through its implementation, the meeting focused on progress updates for the 25 ongoing actions. Most actions are on track to be completed on time. The open exchange of data, experiences, and ideas remains a key driver of collaboration within OSPAR.
About OSPAR
OSPAR is the cooperation mechanism through which fifteen governments and the European Union work together to protect the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic Ocean. The name OSPAR refers to the original Oslo and Paris Conventions. Member states include: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Switzerland.