Marine litter: a global challenge

Abstract

Marine litter is a global concern affecting all the oceans of the world. It poses environmental, economic, health and aesthetic problems that are rooted in poor solid waste management practices, lack of infrastructure, indiscriminate human activities and behaviours and an inadequate understanding on the part of the public of the potential consequences of their actions. The UNEP Global Initiative on Marine Litter has provided an effective framework for conducting regional activities addressing marine litter around the world, including those of the 12 participating Regional Seas programmes.