More push for the actions against marine litter in the Baltic Sea is a key purpose of the HELCOM Marine Litter Stakeholder , held today in Helsinki, Finland . As litter is a complex issue and ranges from micro particles from cosmetics to ships’ waste management and fisheries practices, reducing it requires work from a wide range of stakeholders. For collecting many viewpoints, HELCOM will host today a mix of selected representatives of governance, industry, research and civil society, to find new ways for more effective leadership in the battle on litter in the Baltic. In June 2015, thirty concrete tasks to combat litter in the Baltic Sea were agreed on by all the Baltic coastal states as well as the EU, and listed in the HELCOM Regional on Marine Litter. The present status of implementing the actions of the Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter is the underpinning of the Conference – over half are having leads and/or co-leads by the coastal states, while many remain without a guiding force. Fight against marine litter is not a solitary affair. The involvement of G7, United Nations, European Union and HELCOM sister entities such as OSPAR and Mediterranean Action Plan, among others, are indispensable for the success in reducing marine litter. Marine litter is a global and local problem with far-reaching implications also in the Baltic Sea. Marine litter impairs marine organisms, threatens human health and safety, and has socio-economic costs. There are many land- and sea-based sources of marine debris but the problem can be largely traced to general production and consumption habits. Among other factors, household disposal of waste material, management of waste water as well as shipping discharges play a significant role in the well-being of marine ecosystems around the world. The Conference will be between 10:00 -16:30 (CET+2hrs). The audiences are encouraged to participate through Twitter, #litterconf. Afterwards all materials, including video clips, will be available at the . The summary conclusions of the Conference will be presented tomorrow on 10 March to the 37th HELCOM Annual Meeting. * * * Note for editors The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * * For more information, please contact:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi
More push for the actions against marine litter in the Baltic Sea is a key purpose of the HELCOM Marine Litter Stakeholder Conference, held today in Helsinki, Finland.
