Thirty countries have joined FAO and International Maritime Organization (IMO) to tackle marine litter and clean up the world’s oceans under the GloLitter Partnership Project. The project that will help reduce marine plastic litter from the maritime transport and fishing sectors is up for a successful start, after getting 30 countries on board.

The countries are from five regions of the world, namely Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific.

Ten countries have been confirmed as Lead Partnering Countries (LPCs). The 10 Lead Partnering Countries are Brazil, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria and Vanuatu.

Another 20 countries have been selected as Partnering Countries (PCs) of the GloLitter Project. The 20 Partnering Countries are Argentina, Cabo Verde, Colombia, Ecuador, the Gambia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands, Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga and Vietnam.

LPCs will take lead roles in their respective regions to champion national actions which support the IMO Action Plan to address marine plastic litter from ships and the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for the Marking of Fishing Gear. The LPCs and PCs will work together, via a twinning working arrangement, to build regional support for the project.

Jose Matheickal, Chief, IMO Department for Partnerships and Projects, welcomed the countries on board.

“Marine litter is a scourge on the oceans and on the planet. I am happy that we have 30 countries committed to joining this initiative … to address this growing issue.”

Impacts of plastic litter

According to IMO, plastic litter has devastating effects on oceans, marine life and human health. It also has measurable impacts on the fishing and shipping industries.

Discarded fishing gear can pose a serious risk to fishers as the nets or lines can become entangled in boat propellers or cause engine damage. There is also an economic impact when fishers lose their gear or fish species are caught in discarded gear. Lost containers might also pose a collision hazard for ships.

Reducing and preventing marine plastic litter is vital to safeguard coastal and global marine resources.

“Plastic litter has a devastating impact on marine life and human health.”

“This initiative is an important step in tackling the issue and will help protect the ocean ecosystem as well as the livelihoods of those who depend on it.”
Manuel Barange, FAO’s Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The GloLitter Partnership Project

The GloLitter Partnerships Project is a project between Norway, IMO and FAO aiming to reduce marine litter. Initial funding for the project comes from the Government of Norway via the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). It aims to protect the marine environment, as well as lives and livelihoods in line with the SDG 14.

The project will assist developing countries to prevent and reduce marine litter within the maritime transport and fisheries sectors; and to identify opportunities for the reduction of plastic uses in both industries. Also, it will equip partner countries with tools such as guidance documents, training materials and strategies to help enforce existing regulations.

Additionally, the project will address how to deal with abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear. There will also be pilot initiatives to reduce the use of plastic in fisheries and to collect plastic for recycling. The project will also facilitate the establishment of public-private partnerships. This is to spur the development of cost-effective management solutions for marine plastic litter.