DR. NILUFER ORAL Istanbul Bilgi University, Istanbul, Turkey

Transcription

1 A Regional Seas approach to prevent, reduce and control pollution from marine debris, plastics and microplastics: Lessons learned and opportunities for the future DR. NILUFER ORAL Istanbul Bilgi University, Istanbul, Turkey Open- ended Informal Consultative Process On Oceans And The Law Of The Sea, Marine Debris, Plastics And Microplastics, June 2016

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3 Ocean Debris Gyres

4 Facts Not a new problem 1997 an estimated 6.4 million tons per year total input of marine litter into the oceans, worldwide, 2010 estimated at 4.8 to 12.7 million MT entering the ocean (First Oceans Assessment) 80% of marine debris and plastics are land-based 20% from ship-based 90-95% of marine pollution is plastic Plastics remains for hundreds of years

5 First World Ocean Assessment Gaps identified by the First World Ocean Assessment: marine litter (Chapter 25) Inadequate scientific research Need for standardized monitoring protocols/methodologies Gaps in evaluation of impact of marine debris Waste management varies- need to promote biodegradable, naturally occurring biopolymars

6 International Legal Framework LBS Pollution Hard Law UNCLOS (only global instrument for LBS) London Convention [Dumping] and Protocol MARPOL Annex V (dumping garbage at sea) Regional Seas Programme Conventions and Protocols Soft Law 2015 SDG ( G. 14/Target 14.1) 2011 Manilla Declaration 2001 Montreal Declaration 1995 Washington Declaration and Global Programme of Action Agenda 21 Chapter 17 RSP Actions Plans

7 Regional Approach Duty to cooperate Article 197 of UNCLOS (Global/regional) Article of UNCLOS (Enclosed-Semienclosed seas)

8 Role of the UNEP Regional Seas Programme Why the RSP is important for combatting marine debris, plastics and microplastics: 1972 Stockholm Declaration UNEP RSP in 1974 to serve as the mechanism for promoting cooperation among States sharing a common regional marine space Scientific (TDA) and legal components at a regional level Create a set of common objectives, indicators, obligations, action plans, strategies Collective regional action can have global impact especially for land-based sources of pollution.

9 RSP and Marine Debris Regional Seas Programme focuses on six key issues: 1. Coastal area management 2. Ecosystem and biodiversity 3. Land-based activities 4. Marine litter 5. Sea-based pollution and 6. Small islands

10 UNEP RSP Global Strategic Actions UNEP RSP has adopted a series of global strategic directions encompassing four-year periods: RSP Global Strategic Directions consists of six strategic directions including: contributing to the implementation of the Manila Declaration of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Landbased Activities (SD2) RSP Global Strategic Directions ( ) also included LBS.

11 Challenges Uneven legal landscape of the RSP Implementation challenges

12 Regional Sea Programme Land-Based Pollution Instrument 1996 Revised (2008 EF) + Rev 1996 LBS (EF) RSP Legal Landscape for Mediterranean Sea (UNEP administered) Caribbean Region Cartagena Convention (+) 1999 Protocol (2010 EF) Eastern Africa Region North-West Pacific Western Africa East Asian Sea 2010 Protocol (NEF) N (Action Plan) 2012 Protocol (NEF) N (Action Plan) Black Sea (non-unep administered) 1992 (2004 EF) 2009 Revised Protocol (NEF) North-East Pacific ROPME Sea Area South Asian Seas South-East Pacific Region N 1990 Protocol (1993 EF) N (South Asian Action Plan) 1983 Protocol (1986 EF) Pacific Region 2003 Convention (?) + Action Plan 2002 North-East Atlantic (Independent) OSPAR Arctic Antarctic 1992 Convention Annex I Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy Antarctic Treaty System Caspian 2003 Convention (+)

13 Lessons Learned and Way Forward Regional approach key to addressing marine debris problem Enhance the role of the RSP for addressing the gaps identified by the First World Oceans Assessment Science Monitoring Assessments Waste management options Promote biodegradable alternatives Priority to strengthening RSPs for harmonizing and implementing LBS + marine debris legal instruments including Regional Action Plans for marine litter

14 Thank you for your attention