Abstract

All around the world, Non-Governmental Organizations are launching a growing number of clean-ups as part of awareness raising programs. While people are becoming increasingly aware of the magnitude and risks of the plastic debris found in our oceans, policy development is still at an early stage. Increased public awareness has helped to drive new policies that are aimed at preventing plastics from entering the ocean. A key question is whether in fact these policy measures, such as bans on certain single-use products or policies aimed at better waste management in ports, are actually working. In order to assess the effectiveness of these measures, policy makers need a new robust monitoring scheme that delivers good quality data. Apart from monitoring the effectiveness of policies, such a monitoring system could also lead to a better understanding of the amounts, types, sources and potential impacts of marine litter in the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR), thereby enabling the development of targeted measures to reduce plastic and other types of marine litter pollution. 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.

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