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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.
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
2. Knowledge management products on marine litter and plastics
Name of country and organization(s):
- 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.
Policy framework: (please list relevant policies and plans, including legislations or targets related to marine
plastic litter and outline them briefly)
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.
Measures: (please list measures taken/to be taken and outline them briefly. ※Please describe in detail a few
selected best practices in section 5)
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.
Achievements: (please describe achievements of measures mentioned above, where
applicable and available, with relevant indicators, data or other numerical information)
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.
Best practices: (Please describe a few selected best practices to be shared, among measures
described in section 3, in detail)
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.
Further information: (Please indicate further detailed information, if any, e.g. name and
address of related website, name of published reports and materials)
Report on the status of plastic and styrofoam ban
Website link: status of plastic and styrofoam ban
Breakup with plastics video
3. Prioritising marine plastic within government and research institutions
Name of country and organization(s):
United Nations Environment Programme-Cartagena Convention Secretariat 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)
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).
Measures: (please list measures taken/to be taken and outline them briefly. ※Please describe in detail a few
selected best practices in section 5)
• 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.
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)
Achievements: (please describe achievements of measures mentioned above, where
applicable and available, with relevant indicators, data or other numerical information)
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.
Best practices: (Please describe a few selected best practices to be shared, among measures
described in section 3, in detail)
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.
Further information: (Please indicate further detailed information, if any, e.g. name and
address of related website, name of published reports and materials)
State of the Convention Area Report
Caribbean Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter
4. New Marine Litter Proposals
Name of country and organization(s):
The Regional Caribbean node of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML CARIBE)-
UNEP CEP (Secretariat to the Cartagena Convention)
Policy framework: (please list relevant policies and plans, including legislations or targets related to marine
plastic litter and outline them briefly)
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.
Measures: (please list measures taken/to be taken and outline them briefly. ※Please describe in detail a few
selected best practices in section 5)
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
Achievements: (please describe achievements of measures mentioned above, where
applicable and available, with relevant indicators, data or other numerical information)
To be further updated during implementation.
Best practices: (Please describe a few selected best practices to be shared, among measures
described in section 3, in detail)
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.
Further information: (Please indicate further detailed information, if any, e.g. name and
address of related website, name of published reports and materials)
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
Name of country and organization(s):
The Regional Caribbean node of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML CARIBE)-
UNEP CEP (Secretariat to the Cartagena Convention)
Policy framework: (please list relevant policies and plans, including legislations or targets related to marine
plastic litter and outline them briefly)
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.
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.
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.
Measures: (please list measures taken/to be taken and outline them briefly. ※Please describe in detail a few
selected best practices in section 5)
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
Achievements: (please describe achievements of measures mentioned above, where
applicable and available, with relevant indicators, data or other numerical information)
For the study in Grenada, 97% of the fish examined contained microplastics, indicating
potential harm to health.
Best practices: (Please describe a few selected best practices to be shared, among measures
described in section 3, in detail)
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
Name of country and organization(s):
The Regional Caribbean node of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML CARIBE)-
UNEP CEP (Secretariat to the Cartagena Convention)
Policy framework: (please list relevant policies and plans, including legislations or targets related to marine
plastic litter and outline them briefly)
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.
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.
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.
Measures: (please list measures taken/to be taken and outline them briefly. ※Please describe in detail a few
selected best practices in section 5)
• 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.
Achievements: (please describe achievements of measures mentioned above, where
applicable and available, with relevant indicators, data or other numerical information)
• 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.
Best practices: (Please describe a few selected best practices to be shared, among measures
described in section 3, in detail)
To be further updated
Further information: (Please indicate further detailed information, if any, e.g. name and
address of related website, name of published reports and materials)
Manual on Harmonizing Marine Litter Management in the Wider Caribbean Region
7. Development of a Regional Marine Litter Management Strategy
Name of country and organization(s):
The Regional Caribbean node of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML CARIBE)-
UNEP CEP (Secretariat to the Cartagena Convention)
Policy framework: (please list relevant policies and plans, including legislations or targets related to marine
plastic litter and outline them briefly)
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.
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.
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.
Measures: (please list measures taken/to be taken and outline them briefly. ※Please describe in detail a few
selected best practices in section 5)
• 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.
Achievements: (please describe achievements of measures mentioned above, where
applicable and available, with relevant indicators, data or other numerical information)
To be further updated
Best practices: (Please describe a few selected best practices to be shared, among measures
described in section 3, in detail)
To be further updated later in implementation
Further information: (Please indicate further detailed information, if any, e.g. name and
address of related website, name of published reports and materials)
8. Launching the Caribbean Clean Seas Campaign
Name of country and organization(s):
The Regional Caribbean node of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML CARIBE)-
UNEP CEP (Secretariat to the Cartagena Convention)
Policy framework: (please list relevant policies and plans, including legislations or targets related to marine
plastic litter and outline them briefly)
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 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.
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.
Measures: (please list measures taken/to be taken and outline them briefly. ※Please describe in detail a few
selected best practices in section 5)
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.
Achievements: (please describe achievements of measures mentioned above, where
applicable and available, with relevant indicators, data or other numerical information)
To be further updated
Best practices: (Please describe a few selected best practices to be shared, among measures
described in section 3, in detail)
To be further updated
Further information: (Please indicate further detailed information, if any, e.g. name and
address of related website, name of published reports and materials)
9. Education and Outreach programmes for marine litter by the Caribbean regional node
Name of country and organization(s):
The Regional Caribbean node of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML CARIBE)-
UNEP CEP (Secretariat to the Cartagena Convention)
Policy framework: (please list relevant policies and plans, including legislations or targets related to marine
plastic litter and outline them briefly)
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.
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.
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.
Measures: (please list measures taken/to be taken and outline them briefly. ※Please describe in detail a few
selected best practices in section 5)
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.
Achievements: (please describe achievements of measures mentioned above, where
applicable and available, with relevant indicators, data or other numerical information)
To be further updated.
Best practices: (Please describe a few selected best practices to be shared, among measures
described in section 3, in detail)
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.
Further information: (Please indicate further detailed information, if any, e.g. name and
address of related website, name of published reports and materials)