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Effectiveness of International and National Measures to Prevent and Reduce Marine Debris and Its Impacts

Completed

Marine debris from ships and other ocean-based sources contributes to the spoiling of beaches, fouling of surface waters and the seafloor, and harm to marine animals, among other effects. International conventions and domestic laws intended to control marine debris have not solved the problem, in part because the laws provided little incentive to change behavior. Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st Century identifies ways to reduce waste, improve waste disposal at ports, and strengthen the regulatory framework toward a goal of zero waste discharge into the marine environment.

Description

An ad hoc committee will be formed to examine the effectiveness of international and national measures to prevent and reduce marine debris and its impact. The committee will prepare a report that includes: (A) An evaluation of international and domestic implementation of MARPOL Annex V and the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (33 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.) and identification of cost-effective, innovative approaches that could be taken to improve implementation and compliance (B) A review and assessment of technologies, strategies, and management practices for further reducing the impact of marine debris, including derelict fishing gear. As part of this review, the committee will examine the International Maritime Organization's Guidelines for the Implementation of Annex V of MARPOL and recommend additional federal or international actions that could be taken to further reduce debris and its impacts (C) An evaluation of the role of floating fish aggregation devices in the generation of marine debris and existing legal mechanisms to reduce impacts of such debris, focusing on impacts in the Western Pacific and Central Pacific regions (D) An overview of the existing federal statutes on marine debris (including land-based sources) with a description of the responsibilities of the designated federal agenciesThe project is sponsored by the United States Coast Guard.The approximate start date for the project is August 22, 2007.A final report will be issued approximately 15 months after the project start.

Contributors

Committee

Chair

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

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Member

Sponsors

Department of Homeland Security

Staff

Susan Park

Lead

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