Stocktaking Resolutions on Marine Litter and Plastics...Stocktaking Resolutions on Marine Litter and...

Stocktaking Resolutions on Marine Litter and Plastics The United Nations Environment Programme – Caribbean Environment Programme (UNEP

CEP) continues efforts to reduce marine pollution through a series of initiatives. The following

also includes activities implemented by the Caribbean Regional Node on Marine Litter

Management (GPML-Caribe which is highlighted in response to resolution 4/6 paragraph 7a.

1. Trash Free International Project in Jamaica and Panama

Name of country and organization(s):

United Nations Environment Programme – Caribbean Environment Programme (UNEP

CEP) Secretariat to the Cartagena Convention based in Kingston, Jamaica

Policy framework: （please list relevant policies and plans, including legislations or targets related to marine

plastic litter and outline them briefly）

The Trash Free Waters Initiative for the Caribbean is a regional partnership involving the United Nations Environment Programme – Caribbean Environment Programme (UNEP CEP) Secretariat to the Cartagena Convention , Peace Corps, UN Environment’s Regional Office for Latin America funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). UNEP-CEP used its role in the Caribbean through the Land-Based Sources Protocol to the Cartagena Convention to address marine litter reduction and prevention in both Jamaica and Panama as initial pilot sites.

The LBS Protocol forms a regional legal framework to address the main sources of marine

pollution in the Wider Caribbean Region. In the absence of an internal legal agreement to

address marine pollution, Governments of the Wider Caribbean Region continue to use the

LBS Protocol to address priority pollution concerns through projects such as the Trash Free

Waters Initiative for the Caribbean.

The initiative involved collaboration with government agencies and communities in the region

to help address solid waste management issues and reduce the amount of trash from entering

Caribbean waters.

TFW uses a collaborative, stakeholder-based approach to prevent trash from entering the

ocean. There are three phases to TFW: Assessment, Dialogue and Planning, and Project

Implementation. It is driven to significantly reduce and prevent the amount of trash from

entering waterways that eventually lead to the Caribbean Sea.

Sandals Foundation served as the implementing agency for the pilot project in Jamaica and

coordinated the implementation of pilot project activities in the communities of Bluefields and

Whitehouse, thereby helping to protect two Marine Protected Areas from solid waste pollution

and also facilitated a participatory approach to effectively manage solid waste across the

region.

UN Environment - Panama and ANCON cooperated in designing a waste interception

programme on the Juan Diaz River accompanied by an environmental education programme

to schools, businesses and the general public in that district.

https://papersmart.unon.org/resolution/stocktaking

Measures: (please list measures taken/to be taken and outline them briefly. ※Please describe in detail a few

selected best practices in section 5)

Jamaica-

The Whitehouse and Bluefields Solid Waste Reduction Project:

• Recycling and compost collection

- Compost

- Bin distribution

• Public Education and Stakeholder Meetings

• Surveys-

1. Social surveys – Adults

Social surveys for the adult population were conducted in August 2018 before separation bins were distributed in the communities (baseline), and later in February, May and July 2019. The surveys sought to assess the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of the respondents on waste management over the course of the project.

2. Social surveys – Students

Students at four schools (Kings Primary, New Hope, Salem Primary and Petersville All-age) participated in the student social surveys. Two rounds of surveying were conducted, January and July 2019.

3. Land, Underwater and Beach Waste Collection Surveys

Land, underwater and/or beach surveys were conducted on a monthly basis using data sheets from the Ocean Conservancy.

• Livelihood Training

Workshop consisting of two sessions was attended by 21 community members as well as representatives from UN Environment and NSWMA.

Panama-

• Training and capacity building of four educational institutions for grades 9- 12

• Dr Alfredo Canton Institute

• Elena Chavez de Pinate School

• Professional and Technical Institute of Juan

• General Basic School Ernesto T. Lefevre

• Capacity Building of Commercial Facilities trained on sustainable recycling practices

o Los Pueblos Shopping Center

• Christian Library CLC Libros

• Gran Morrison Store

• Recycling Fair in Juan Diaz educating community members about the project, the

3Rs and how to separate their materials.

• Los Pueblos Shopping Centre:

• Ten Volunteers trained and benefitted from an introduction to the trap project in Juan

Diaz to help people understand the importance of proper waste management and to

build capacity among the local community

• Excursion of the project with students of the Ernesto T. Lefevre-

Students tested the quantity of phosphate, nitrate, electric conductivity and more

Achievements: (please describe achievements of measures mentioned above, where

applicable and available, with relevant indicators, data or other numerical information)

Jamaica-

The Whitehouse and Bluefields Solid Waste Reduction Project:

• Recycling, Garbage distribution and compost collection- 4,500 lbs of plastic bottles

and 2,500 lbs of compost collected using 200 bins distributed in schools, bars, police

stations and the market.

• Compost: 2,500 lbs of compost material collected, out of which 500 lbs was mature

compost. Seedlings have shown positive growth results, showing a possibility of a

market for compost production. 200 lbs of compost was sold to local farmers.

• Public Education and Stakeholder Meetings- Outreach efforts impacted 2,400

students and over 1,045 adults.

• Land, Underwater and Beach Waste Collection Surveys- Among the two communities,

the surveys identified the extent of the waste management problem and provided the

specific content collected. Collectively, plastic beverage bottles (248), plastic bottle

caps (140) and plastic grocery bags (108) were the most common items found on land

in Whitehouse by far. At underwater and beach survey sites, plastic beverage bottles

were most prevalent (3,615) followed by foam pieces (543) and plastic utensils (320)

respectively. In Bluefields, plastic beverage bottles (7,678), non-grocery type plastic

bags (2,016), and food wrappers (1,906) were the most prevalent items found. A

notable fourth and fifth place was plastic cups and plates (1,881) and plastic grocery

bags (1,145). At underwater and beach survey sites, plastic beverage bottles (680),

plastic cups and plates (117), non-grocery type plastic bags (77) were the top waste

items found.

• Livelihood Training- An upcycling Workshop was conducted. There were two

sessions with different activities being done in each session. Jewellery making

session resulted in paper bead bracelets, cork earrings, and lionfish earrings. The

second session included making bins from plastic bottles. The workshop was well

received by the community members with all participants being well engaged and

enthusiastic throughout the workshop and showing interest in a future session being

held.

Based on the project’s successes, a grant has been extended through the Caribbean Regional

Node for Marine Litter Management to further expand the reach of the project tackling waste

with disposal system, sustainable meal-packing in schools and upcycling opportunities in the

form of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Business Training for the residents of the

communities.

Panama:

- About 450 students benefitted from the training and capacity building activities

from the four schools.

- 2 commercial institutions were trained on the 3Rs

Best practices: （Please describe a few selected best practices to be shared, among measures

described in section 3, in detail）

Waste separation at the source, i.e. at the point of disposal, was a key success factor. For successful

recycling, source separation through the use dedicated recycling bins distributed within the

communities was recognised.

Further information: (Please indicate further detailed information, if any, e.g. name and

address of related website, name of published reports and materials)

Website: Trash Free Waters Initiative for the Caribbean

https://www.unenvironment.org/cep/news/video/trash-free-enhancing-whitehouse-and-bluefields-solid-waste-reduction-project

2. Knowledge management products on marine litter and plastics


- United Nations Environment Programme-Cartagena Convention Secretariat

based in Kingston, Jamaica as a regional seas programme has developed a

series of knowledge management products on marine litter and plastics.



CEP works to support implementation of the Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution (LBS)

Protocol and the Caribbean Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter (RAPMaLI).

The LBS Protocol forms a regional legal framework to address the main sources of marine

pollution in the Wider Caribbean Region with a focus on solid waste management (marine

litter & plastics). 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic weighing 268,940 tons, and counting, pollute the

world’s oceans today. Around 100,000 marine animals die every year because they either

mistake the bags for food or get strangled by them. in the Wider Caribbean region, Styrofoam

makes up about 5% of solid waste.

As of August 2019, there are 15 Contracting Parties of the Wider Caribbean Region of the 28

member states as Contracting parties of the Cartagena Convention (legally binding

environmental agreement in the Region).

Educating the public on marine litter is useful because of their environmental, economic and

social impacts on our society. Plastics in the environment pose significant hazards to wildlife

both on land and in the ocean. They take hundreds of years to decompose and are a hazard.

Single-use plastics like plastic bags and Styrofoam create visual pollution, impacting tourism

and recreational activities. Caribbean countries rely heavily on tourism as a major source of

GDP and should be made a high priority. Microplastic waste ingested by fish can enter the

food chain, ultimately impacting human health.

With the increasing awareness of marine litter and the implementation of plastic bans, the Report on the Status of bans was developed by UNEP CEP in 2018 to present the key aspects of these policies and regulatory instruments that have been implemented in the Wider Caribbean Region. Policy makers are better informed of lessons learnt in regulating the use and production of disposable plastics. It also includes an interactive map which helps countries to provide updates on national policies and regulatory measures and evaluate their effectiveness to address the importation, use and disposal of plastics and Styrofoam products. These products are being used to raise awareness, throughout the region, on progress made to reduce marine pollution from trash. Several of these countries are participating in the The Global Environment Facility-funded

Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing

States (GEF IWEco) Project which is partially executed by UNEP (CEP). The GEF IWEco

Project developed the short video using a Caribbean context to raise awareness of the issue

of plastics and encourage the general public to break up with plastics.



Interactive map on plastic and Styrofoam ban

• Report on plastic ban in the Wider Caribbean Region -

In the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR), different countries either have a ban imposed (e.g. Aruba), there is a local ban in an area in the country (e.g. Guatemala), the government have announced a ban (e.g. The Bahamas), or a ban is in discussion among the government (e.g. El Salvador) or public (e.g. Curacao) for implementation in the future. For example, starting January 1, 2019, the Jamaica Government banned the importation, manufacture, distribution and use of specific categories of plastic packaging materials. These include single-use plastic carrier/shopping bags; expanded polystyrene foam, commonly referred to as Styrofoam; and plastic drinking straws.

• The path towards ban includes 5 phases:

- The Dialogue

Start a dialogue with all stakeholders and identify valid substitutes for Styrofoam containers and single-use plastic items. Identify incentives for industries for producing those alternatives and involve NGOs working on this theme.

- The Announcement - The Implementation

The ban should be a detailed strategy, composed of a timeline helping to move the ban from importation to distribution by retailers. Allow 6 months to pass between announcement and effective implementation.

- The Evaluation

Evaluate the complete effectiveness of the ban through pilot and demonstration projects by looking at the rate of adoption and response to the ban. Never stop the dialogue with the stakeholders to stay in the loop.

- The Correction

Development of Breakup with Plastics video

• The Global Environment Facility-funded Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems

Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (GEF IWEco) Project

launched a short video which looks at the issue of marine litter and asks everyone

to break-up with single-use plastics. It is used to raise awareness on progress

made to reduce marine pollution from trash.



The ban on plastic and styrofoam reduces plastic pollution significantly, increases the quality

of the environment and of the ecosystem and in turn, increases tourism.



The information on the status of Styrofoam and plastic ban in the WCR has been inserted into an

online interactive map for ease of understanding for everyone. It is an interactive tool accessible for

everyone, including managers of the Node to edit and view the progress on bans.



Report on the status of plastic and styrofoam ban

Website link: status of plastic and styrofoam ban

Breakup with plastics video

http://gefcrew.org/carrcu/18IGM/4LBSCOP/Info-Docs/WG.39_INF.8-en.pdf

https://www.unenvironment.org/cep/news/blogpost/styrofoam-and-plastic-bag-bans-caribbean-interactive-map

http://www.iweco.org/node/241

3. Prioritising marine plastic within government and research institutions


United Nations Environment Programme-Cartagena Convention Secretariat based in

Kingston, Jamaica



UNEP CEP as a regional seas programme continues efforts to prioritise marine plastics within

government and research institutions. This has taken the form of increasing knowledge and

data on solid waste and plastics as part of the first Regional State of the Convention Area

Report on Pollution emphasizing the issue of marine litter and plastics pollution.

Additionally, Microplastics has been identified as a priority area and there has been constant

engagement and collaboration related to the Research Partnership of the GEF IWEco Project

with CARPHA and OECS as key partners. It is a five-year regional project that builds upon the

work of previous initiatives, to address water, land and biodiversity resource management as

well as climate change. This project aims to contribute to the preservation of Caribbean

ecosystems that are of global significance and the sustainability of livelihoods through the

application of existing proven technologies and approaches that are appropriate for small

island developing states.

UNEP CEP has also been involved in the adoption of the Caribbean Solid Waste Action Plan

to help catalyze the development of sustainable integrated waste management systems

throughout the region as well as on every Caribbean island. This is being led by the United

Nations Environment, Caribbean Sub-Regional Office which has developed the plan to use as

reference when identifying priority actions for the region as well as designing and

implementing them.

These collaborative efforts are essential to the efforts to increase priority and raise awareness

among government institutions for policy making. CEP’s implementation of the Land-Based

Sources of Marine Pollution (LBS) Protocol and the Caribbean Regional Action Plan for Marine

Litter (RAPMaLI) provides the regional context/ legal framework to address the main sources

of marine pollution in the Wider Caribbean Region with a focus on solid waste management

(marine litter & plastics).

Since August 2019, there are 15 Contracting Parties of the Wider Caribbean Region of the 28

member states as Contracting parties of the Cartagena Convention (legally binding

environmental agreement in the Region).



• Produced factsheets for raising awareness about the issue of microplastics in the

Caribbean region landing in the ocean and need for governmental policies in this

domain with help from further research in this area from research centres due to

the lack of thorough knowledge about the same.

http://sdg.iisd.org/news/unep-report-examines-marine-litter-in-caribbean-region/


o Types of microplastics identified- Microbeads from personal care

products, Microfibres from synthetic clothing and nano-plastics from

breaking down of marine debris present in WCR.

o A study found that all fishes consumed by us contained microplastics, like

Barracuda and Yellowfish Tuna

o Little is known about the long-term effects of consuming fish with

microplastics and its associated health impacts

• As part of the State of the Cartagena Convention Report (SOCAR), data on solid

waste (especially marine litter and plastic) has been included which comes under

Marine Pollution.

o Latin America and Caribbean region produce 145,000 tons of waste per

day, including 17,000 tons per day of plastic.

o Marine litter was added as a priority pollutant under the LBS Protocol at

the 17th Intergovernmental Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena

Convention.

o A number of regional and global programmes and initiatives have been

developed to address the marine litter problem like Break Free from

Plastic, RAPMaLi, Phasing out single-use plastics etc.

o In the future, Contracting parties of the LBS Protocol can jointly work to

address marine litter by policy development, monitoring programmes,

building awareness, waste management improvements and advancing

initiatives.

• A Regional Caribbean Solid Waste Management Action Plan (SWM Action Plan)

has been prepared to help catalyse the development of sustainable integrated

waste management systems throughout the region as well as on individual

Caribbean Islands. The goal of the SWM Plan is to define strategies and systems

that are environmentally and financially sustainable; and most importantly,

supported by civil society. The specific objectives of the SWM Action Plan are to

identify regional strategies and initiatives to facilitate:

o Communication and Collaboration

o Strategic Planning

o Funding SWM Systems

o Expanding the SWM Infrastructure

o Managing Disaster Debris

o Preventing Waste Pollution

o Increasing Landfill Diversion and recycling

o Fostering Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs)



Caribbean Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter Management (RAPMALi) provides a

comprehensive toolkit to assist small island developing States (SIDS) to incorporate waste

management across all sectors which UNEP produced as part of a project to respond to

growing global concerns of litter accumulation in the oceans.

The report addresses waste management actions in: legislation, policies and enforcement;

institutional frameworks and stakeholder involvement; monitoring programmes and research;

education and outreach; and solid waste management. It recommends specific actions related

to implementing existing legislation and enacting new legislation, where appropriate. It

highlights problems and impacts associated with marine litter, including the emergence of

microplastics as a health concern.

The RAPMALi has been used as a guide in countries presenting country profiles and case

studies. Guyana, Barbados and Saint Lucia all benefited from improved national marine litter

and solid waste management policies and legislation, monitoring and assessment

programmes, public awareness, education and outreach activities.



The State of the Convention Area Report is the very first report which captures key information on the state of coastal and marine ecosystems. The report may serve as an operational tool that Caribbean member states and other partner organizations can use to determine baseline conditions and priorities to be addressed in the region and to set targets for region-wide action. Data from the report is also being used to inform the development of a regional strategy and investment/action plan for nutrient reduction in the Wider Caribbean Region. The Caribbean Regional Action Plan on Solid Waste has incorporated sustainable waste management practices around the region including Grenada’s Composting Initiative whereby a facility was developed to professionally compost green wastes. Prior to constructing these facilities, Grenada conducted market studies to assure that the compost can be sold at a high-enough value to create a financially, self-sustaining facility or at least minimize the need for government subsidies. Another useful best practice highlighted in the Caribbean Regional Action Plan on Solid Waste was Aruba’s use of a city inspector to enforce litter/open dumping regulations which has resulted in the decrease of litter.



State of the Convention Area Report

Caribbean Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter

http://gefcrew.org/carrcu/18IGM/4LBSCOP/Info-Docs/IG.41_INF.3-en.pdf

http://gefcrew.org/carrcu/18IGM/4LBSCOP/Info-Docs/IG.41_INF.3-en.pdf


4. New Marine Litter Proposals


The Regional Caribbean node of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML CARIBE)-

UNEP CEP (Secretariat to the Cartagena Convention)



The Caribbean node of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML) has worked to develop

several new marine litter proposals to strengthen the Caribbean’s capacity towards reducing

marine plastic debris and microplastics, and other solid waste pollution.

The Caribbean is the second most plastic-contaminated sea in the world after the

Mediterranean Sea. Estimations of the volume of plastic waste in this area range from 600 to

1,414 items per square kilometre in different locations.

The goal of the node is to achieve the objectives of the GPML and the Regional Action Plan

on Marine Litter (RAPMaLi) that was endorsed by the Contracting Parties to the Cartagena

Convention.

The Caribbean Node established in 2016 as a partnership between the Gulf and Caribbean

Fisheries Institute (GCFI) and the United Nations Environment Programme-Caribbean

Environment Programme, Secretariat for the Cartagena Convention has facilitated, several

projects for improving marine litter management in the region including training, outreach,

advocacy, resource mobilization and project development over the last 4 years.

This partnership was formed based on the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML) which

involves multiple stakeholders working on marine litter to share knowledge and experience to

reduce the quantity and impact of marine litter in the region. It was launched at the United

Nations Conference on Sustainable Development Rio+20 in June 2012 in response to a

request by Governments in the Manila Declaration.

Within the framework of the LBS Protocol and in direct support of the Global Partnerships for

Marine Litter, this regional platform or node have been established to promote a source-sea

approach in addressing marine litter and plastics.

https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=iba&hsimp=yhs-1&type=a4ds_7508_CHW_JM&p=The%20Caribbean%20node%20of%20the%20Global%20Partnership%20on%20Marine%20Litter%20%28GPML%29



i. Proposal on the Development of marine litter reduction strategies for cultural events in the

Caribbean

- For this project, a concept note was developed related to the reduction of marine litter

associated with a major Caribbean cultural event – Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago.

A tremendous amount of waste is generated during this time, even though 70% is

recyclable.

Greening Carnival and other cultural events in the region can lead to a reduction in the

generation of solid waste. Furthermore, introducing measures to accelerate the clean-

up and disposal process helps to prevent a significant amount of that waste washing

down into drains, waterways and eventually reaching the marine environment.

This proposal includes working with relevant government actors and contemplates

reducing key sources of marine litter including reducing the use of disposable plastics

(e.g. hard plastic that are re-usable and may carry sponsor logos) and possibly

alternative packaging.

It has been proposed that activities will include the following:

• Activity 1 – Gather existing information, identify key stakeholders and undertake preliminary consultation

• Activity 2 – Identify and recruit a celebrity marine litter champion

• Activity 3 - Develop and launch communications strategy to build awareness of marine

litter amongst organisers of Carnival and relevant agencies

• 3.4 Implement communications strategy throughout lead-up to Carnival, during, and

post-Carnival events.

• Activity 4 – Strengthen solid waste mechanisms in Port of Spain to capture and

recycle litter before it enters the ocean

• Activity 5 – Implement marine litter reduction strategy during Carnival

ii. Proposal on the Reduction of Fishing Gear Loss into the Marine Environment in the

Caribbean

- For this project, a concept note was developed by the Global Ghost Gear Initiative

(GGGI) to provide added incentive to Caribbean Small Island Developing States to

minimize the occurrence and impact of ALDFG in extreme weather events.

A baseline of hotspot locations in Jamaica will be determined and gear removal

activities to ground-truth this hotspot analysis will be conducted. Local divers will also

be trained in safe internationally

recognized gear removal protocols and pilot trials of innovative fishing gear and gear

marking techniques will also be conducted.

Additionally, the availability of in country port reception facilities will be investigated

along with the feasibility of recycling fishing gear locally or regionally. Finally in order

to expand these approaches to other countries in the region, a lessons learnt document

will be prepared along with prioritized recommendations



To be further updated during implementation.



i. To help bring about a reduction in the generation of marine litter associated with activities during Carnival in Port of Spain, Trinidad utilising on-land reduction strategies. We hope that this will serve as a pilot project to share with other landmark Caribbean cultural/musical/sporting events that already show interest in achieving greater sustainability, environmental or social responsibility, such as Rebel Salute reggae concert Jamaica, Blue Mountain Music Festival, Saint Lucia Jazz Festival, Bequia Blues, New Fire Festival (sustainability festival highlighting local alternative music which we flag as an excellent opportunity for collaboration with Jack Johnson), Crop Over in Barbados, sailing regattas like Mount Gay Barbados or Antigua Classics, powerboat races like Great Race between Trinidad and Tobago, dive festivals like Dive Fest Dominica, Annual Bonaire Dive Festival, Tobago Underwater Carnival, test or T20 cricket matches, or landmark fisheries/tourism sites like fish market in Oistins- Barbados, Gros Islet- St. Lucia, and various fish fry events held regularly around the region.

ii. Reduction of Fishing Gear Loss focuses on effectively integrating the GGGI Best Practice Framework into the Caribbean context, and subsequently testing those best practices in Jamaica and Grenada.



A few pending proposals:

• Pilot study to reduce marine litter associated with ALDFG and investigate the feasibility of

developing a market for end-of-life products (Grant: UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge)

• Providing added incentive to Caribbean Small Island Developing States to minimize the

occurrence and impact of ALDFG in extreme weather events (Grant: Fisheries and

Oceans Canada; Sustainable Fisheries Solutions and Retrieval Support Contribution

Program)

• Hosting a workshop at GCFI73 to develop a Caribbean specific approach of GGGI’s Best

Practice Framework and also training fishers and other relevant personnel in the Wider

Caribbean region in the removal of derelict fishing gear (Grant: Norway / UN Environment

Program)

5. Research and Impacts of Marine Litter






The Regional Caribbean node has undertaken research on the impacts of Marine Litter

investigating the link between marine litter and mosquito borne diseases and a separate

research on the incidence of microplastics in commercially important fish in Grenada.



Convention.








reduce the quantity and impact of marine litter in the region.






1. Investigating the link between marine litter and mosquito borne diseases

This study mapped the incidence of mosquito borne public health concerns in the Caribbean

to compare this with plastics consumption and to put the findings into the context of the zika

virus. Puerto Rico was used to examine this relationship because the marine litter data was

extensive and robust. Results suggest that coastal communities may want to prioritize clean-

up of large marine debris to limit the habitat for Aedes aegypti and subsequent transmission

of Zika and other mosquito borne illnesses.

This research has involved Review of literature including:

Chik V background information (e.g. disease information to guide selection of datasets)

Mosquito habitat and range, links with urban environment of Caribbean SIDS Plastics consumption and distribution of marine litter Past studies of marine litter and human health.

Data analysis involving Review of secondary spatial datasets that can provide source data

(meta-data): Public health data (e.g. country health departments, regional health

organizations); Marine litter (e.g. Ocean Conservancy ICC); 2.2 Determine geographic

scope and scale of project (rank criteria for data layers) among other activities.

2. Investigating the incidence of microplastics in commercially important fish in Grenada

In collaboration with St George’s University in Grenada, this study was able to document

microplastics in fish species from Grenada. Occurrence of microplastics in the intestinal tracts

of marine fish is a concern to human and ecosystem health as pollutants and pathogens can

associate with plastics. There are plans to extend the study in order to assess sediments,

water samples (including bottled water) and other fish products consumed in Grenada.

Activity 1 –

1.1 Determine species of fish for inclusion in sampling 1.2 Acquire research permit 1.3 Acquire specialist laboratory equipment and supplies 1.4 Acquire fish samples

Activity 2 –

2.1 Processing of samples 2.2 Intestinal tract analysis

Activity 3 – Comparisons of microplastic ingestion between species will be made and report produced



For the study in Grenada, 97% of the fish examined contained microplastics, indicating

potential harm to health.



For finding correlation between marine litter and zika virus, GIS data was overlayed and it

investigated potential correlations and analysed various environmental, health, and

demographic data to evaluate issues of poverty and gender as they may be related to

incidence of disease and risk. This study revealed that there was a relationship between the

cases of Zika and marine debris density, especially of large marine debris (i.e. tires).

6. Developing a harmonized approach to marine litter monitoring in the Caribbean






The Regional Caribbean node has developed a harmonized approach to marine litter

monitoring in the Caribbean. Increased public awareness has helped to drive new policies that

are aimed at preventing plastics from entering the ocean. In order to assess the effectiveness

of these measures, policy makers need a new robust monitoring scheme that delivers good

quality data.

This study aims to contribute to the development of a monitoring scheme for marine litter in

the WCR, with a focus on monitoring visible marine litter on the shoreline - litter that derives

from rivers, ocean currents, waves and wind, or left behind by tourists. This report aims to

assess leading initiatives and provide recommendations to policymakers and experts in the

WCR.



Convention.














• In October 2018, GPML-Caribe hosted a workshop in Miami focused on harmonizing

litter monitoring in the WCR. The workshop was a direct result from a commitment

made by the OSPAR Commission and the Cartagena Convention Secretariat

(UNEP CEP) at a United Nations (UN) Conference held in New York in June

2017, about the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14.

• This project has been successfully piloted and implemented by Clean Seas Bonaire

and will be introduced to Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the

Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago via the Caribbean Youth Environment Network

(CYEN) in 2019.



• As a result of this workshop, the Node hired consultants to develop the report

“Harmonizing Marine Litter Monitoring in the Wider Caribbean Region: A Hybrid

Approach” which was published in 2019. This study compared three initiatives in the

Caribbean region and the OSPAR marine litter monitoring methodology against a set

of predetermined criteria.

• Findings from this research also helped to contribute to the development of a

monitoring scheme for marine litter in the WCR, with a focus on monitoring visible

marine litter on the shoreline - litter that derives from rivers, ocean currents, waves and

wind, or discarded by tourists. This report aims to assess leading initiatives and provide

recommendations to policymakers and experts in the WCR on how best to monitor

marine litter to achieve scientific and policy objectives.



To be further updated



Manual on Harmonizing Marine Litter Management in the Wider Caribbean Region

http://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/27901

7. Development of a Regional Marine Litter Management Strategy






The Regional Node developed a strategic outline for Marine Litter Management in 2019

including identifying priority actions which could be used as the basis for developing new

project proposals and assist in resource mobilization efforts. This GPML-Caribe Marine Litter

Management Strategy will support the continued implementation of the Regional Action Plan

for Marine Litter Management in the Wider Caribbean Region (RAPMaLi) and implementation

of the LBS Protocol.



Convention.














• GPML-Caribe enlisted national and regional marine litter experts to assist with the

development of a Marine Litter Management Strategy for the region. This strategy

identifies priority actions which can be used as the basis for developing new project

proposals and assist in resource mobilization efforts whilst supporting both the

implementation of the Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter Management in the Wider

Caribbean Region (RAPMaLi) and implementation of the Protocol on Land Based

Sources of Pollution (LBS Protocol) of the Cartagena Convention.

Outline of the Strategy

• Chapter 1. Executive Summary

• Chapter 2. Introduction

• Chapter 3. Marine Litter and the circular economy

• Chapter 4. Linkages with previous marine litter activities

• Chapter 5. The approach

• Chapter 6. Strategic Action Development

1. Goals, Objectives, Actions

2. Priority mapping

• Chapter 7. Financial innovation, Best Practices and Lessons Learned

• Chapter 8. Barriers to implementation

• Chapter 9. Emerging issues including alternative future scenarios and outcomes from

those scenarios

• The RAPMaLi for the WCR was originally developed in 2007 and first adopted in 2008

as a project under the directive of the United Nations Environment Programme

(through its Regional Seas Program) as a regional policy response to the growing

global concerns of litter accumulation in the Caribbean Sea.

• It was designed to serve as a comprehensive toolkit to assist SIDS in incorporating

components of proper waste management across all sectors.






To be further updated later in implementation



8. Launching the Caribbean Clean Seas Campaign






In 2019, a Regional Clean Seas Campaign was launched for the WCR through the Global

Partnership for Marine Litter Management (GPML). The goal of the node is to achieve the

objectives of the GPML and the Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAPMaLi) that was

endorsed by the Contracting Parties to the Cartagena Convention.

The initiative focuses on enhancing the work of GPML-Caribe with linkages to the International

Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2019 campaign collaborating with the Caribbean Youth Environment

Network. It also offers an opportunity to conduct field testing of the harmonized monitoring

methodology which was developed through the Node in 2018 and an opportunity to launch

the Caribbean Break Up with Plastics video produced by one of our GEF funded projects on

Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystems Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing

States (GEF-IWEco Project. The Caribbean #CleanSeas Campaign is being launched in 5

selected countries initially (Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the

Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago).














The Caribbean Clean Seas Campaign was launched to enhance the Caribbean Node of the

Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML-Caribe) through 2019 International Coastal

Clean up (ICC) Campaign. The activities are as follows:

• Design and Launch of the Regional Clean Seas Campaign as an integral component of the ICC 2019 regional campaign

o Create ICC 2019 promotional material o Promote GPML-Caribe materials on social media o Promote Clean Seas Campaign materials on social media

• Develop communication materials to adopt and implement the Clean Seas Campaign in the Wider Caribbean Region

o Social media content creation o Testimonials and creation o Infographic development o Factsheet development o Calendar development

• Field-testing a standardized hybrid approach to monitoring marine litter o Clean Coast Bonaire developed a manual Harmonizing Marine Litter

Monitoring in the Wider Caribbean Region which is a hybrid approach to detail the process of implementing the monitoring strategy and the methods involved.









9. Education and Outreach programmes for marine litter by the Caribbean regional node






The Regional node has produced education and outreach programmes for marine litter

including Marine Litter Activities at the 72nd Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute

(GCFI). Supporting the attendance of fishers at the FAO/GGGI Workshop on Best Practices

to Reduce and Prevent Abandoned, Lost and Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear and social

media campaigns, Plastic Free July & Plastic Free Christmas to raise awareness on plastic

pollution and encourage the use of alternative products and practices around different points

of the year.














1. Marine Litter Activities at the 72nd Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute

(GCFI)

o At GCFI72, a Special Session was convened on the Science, Management and

Solutions to address marine litter in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. This

session featured submissions on marine litter including research on

microplastics, incidence and impacts as well as monitoring, management and

solutions.

o Additionally, two GPML-Caribe scholarships were awarded to support students

conducting research on marine litter in the Wider Caribbean region to attend

and present at GCFI72.

o Furthermore GPML-Caribe hosted a special screening of Albatross, A Film by

Chris Jordan at GCFI72 which is a powerful film that relays the tragedy of the

impacts of plastic pollution on albatrosses in Midway Island in the North Pacific

Ocean

2. Supporting the attendance of fishers at the FAO/GGGI Workshop on Best Practices to

Reduce and Prevent Abandoned, Lost and Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear

o This workshop involved raising the awareness and understanding of the

Voluntary Guidelines on the Marking of Fishing Gear (VGMFG) as well as

GGGI’s Best Practice Framework whilst also conducting technical training and

certification on the removal of derelict fishing gear.

o The workshop also included presentations on initiatives and advances in the

Latin America and Caribbean region as well as other international perspectives.

o Two fishers from Grenada attended this meeting to receive training in order to

assist and be involved with the ongoing research being conducted by GGGI in

Grenada.

3. Plastic Free July & Plastic Free Christmas

o A targeted social media campaign for Plastic Free July was developed in

collaboration with UN Environment – Caribbean Environment Programme.

Plastic Free July is a global annual challenge where millions of people give up

single-use plastic for the entire month.

o This event also helps to raise awareness on the amount and impact of single-

use plastics being generated as well as means by which individuals can reduce

their own usage.

o For the targeted Caribbean campaign, tips were developed and translated to

English, Spanish and French and shared daily on Facebook, Twitter and

Instagram.



To be further updated.



Due to the success of Plastic Free July, a subsequent campaign for Plastic Free Christmas

was developed in collaboration with UNEP-CEP and executed in December 2019.



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