Addressing marine plastic litter from ships – action plan adopted

IMO Action plan to address marine plastic litter from ships
The action plan will be reviewed regularly and updated as needed.

Reduction of marine plastic litter generated from, and retrieved by, fishing vessels 
Measures include:

• consider making the IMO ship identification number mandatory for fishing vessels over a certain size; 
• consider making marking of fishing gear with the IMO Ship Identification Number  mandatory, in cooperation with FAO; 
• further investigate logging of the identification number for each item of fishing gear on board a fishing vessel;
• remind States to collect information on any discharge or accidental loss of fishing gear; and
• consider the development of best management practice to facilitate incentives for fishing vessels to retrieve derelict fishing gear and deliver it to port reception facilities, in collaboration with FAO.

Reduction of shipping's contribution to marine plastic litter 
Measures include:

• review the application of placards, garbage management plans and garbage record-keeping in MARPOL Annex V;
• consider establishing compulsory mechanism to declare loss of containers and identify number of losses; and
• consider ways to communicate location of containers lost overboard.

Improvement of the effectiveness of port reception and facilities and treatment in reducing marine plastic litter 
Measures include:

• consider the requirement for port reception facilities to provide for separate garbage collection for plastic waste from ships, including fishing gear to facilitate reuse or recycling;
• consider mechanisms to enhance the enforcement of MARPOL Annex V requirements for the delivery of garbage to reception facilities;
• consider the development of tools to support the implementation of cost frameworks associated with port reception facilities;
• encourage Member States to effectively implement their obligation to provide adequate facilities at ports and terminals for the reception of garbage; and
• further consider the impact on Small Island Developing States and on remote locations such as polar regions when planning for the disposal of waste to land-based facilities.

Enhanced public awareness, education and seafarer training
Measures include:

• consider ways to promote the work of IMO to address marine plastic litter generated from ships;
• consider reviewing fishing vessel personnel training to ensure that all fishing vessel personnel, before being assigned any shipboard duties, receive basic training on marine environment awareness oriented on marine plastic litter including abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear; and
• consider amending the IMO model course on environmental awareness to specifically address marine plastic litter.

Improved understanding of the contribution of ships to marine plastic litter 
Measures include:

• consider extending the reporting requirement MARPOL Annex V to include reporting data on discharge or accidental loss of fishing gear by the flag State to IMO;
• encourage Member States and international organizations that have conducted any scientific research related to marine litter to share the results of such research, including any information on the areas contaminated by marine litter from ships;
• conduct a study on marine plastic litter, including macro and microplastics, from all ships; and
• invite Member States and international organizations to undertake studies to better understand microplastics from ships.

Improved understanding of the regulatory framework associated with marine plastic litter from ships 

• consider the development of a regulatory framework matrix for the purpose of a gap analysis.

Strengthened international cooperation

• make information available to the United National Environment Agency (UNEA); and
• continue work with other United Nations bodies and agencies, in particular FAO and UN Environment, as well as with international fora, which are active in the matter of marine plastic litter from shipping, such as through the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML).

Targeted technical cooperation and capacity-building

• address implementation issues related to the action plan to address marine plastic litter from ships in the context of IMO technical cooperation and capacity building activities; and
• consider the establishment of externally funded major projects under the auspices of IMO in support of the action plan to address marine plastic litter from ships.