OceanLitter Programme

The OceanLitter Programme is home to a growing portfolio of multi-donor projects targeting the prevention and reduction of marine plastic litter from the maritime transport and fisheries sectors.

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Key Goals

Projects under the OceanLitter Programme support developing countries to prevent and reduce marine litter, especially plastic marine litter, within the maritime transport and fisheries sectors and identify opportunities for the reduction of plastic uses in both industries. Within the existing policy and regulatory frameworks, and with help of new tools developed and lessons learned from interventions in other sectors and strategically linking with FAO and other on-going global and regional initiatives related to marine plastic litter (MPL), the programme aims to:


  • Equip partner countries with knowledge and tools to initiate legal, policy and institutional reforms in shipping and fisheries sectors to address the problems of marine plastic litter in line with international policies and regulations.
  • Establish public-private partnerships through the Global Industry Alliance to demonstrate best marine plastic litter management solutions.
  • Engage women in tackling marine plastic litter.
  • Facilitate regional and global partnerships between countries and organizations to have a greater impact.

The programme aims to develop mechanisms for sustainability, and enhance regional cooperation to support transition of maritime transport and fisheries sectors towards a low plastics future. It works to achieve its objectives through the projects by focusing on a number of areas identified in the recently adopted IMO Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships, and in complementary actions as identified by FAO, including supporting the provisions of the recently-endorsed FAO Voluntary Guidelines for the Marking of Fishing Gear.


This major programme will also spur global efforts to demonstrate and test best practices to deal with MPL, and enhance global knowledge management and information sharing to support the objectives. 

The project partnerships are three-tiered involving global, regional and country level partners; representing government, industry and non-governmental organizations. 

Private sector participation is also being established through a Global Industry Alliance (GIA) with partners from major maritime and fisheries companies. In addition to identifying new interventions for industry to address sea-based marine plastic litter, the OceanLitter GIA will build on and promote relevant existing initiatives, such as the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI).

 

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Sustainable Development Goals 

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a shared blueprint for prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action in a global partnership. The work of the OceanLitter Programme's projects can be linked to many among the SDGs.

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The OceanLitter Programme Projects


Established in 2020, the GloLitter Partnerships Project is the first project of the Programme. With initial funding from the Government of Norway, and cofinancing from the Australian Maritime and Safety Authority and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, GloLitter is a global project with 30 participating countries across 5 regions. More information can be found at  GloLitter Partnerships Project | Preventing and reducing marine plastic litter from sea-based sources (imo.org)

[VIEW GLOLITTER FACTSHEET]


The RegLitter Project, launched in November 2023, is funded by the Republic of Korea and focuses on action in the Asia region.


[VIEW REGLITTER FACTSHEET]


The PRO-SEAS Project is currently under proposal.