Marine litter menace

Subject : Environment

Section :Pollution

Context: Marine litter menace, Short-term solutions not enough; need robust policy.

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Globally, the annual production of plastic reached 460 million tonnes in 2019 and 353 million tonnes of plastic waste were also generated in the same year.
Approximately 50 per cent of plastic waste generated in the same year was dumped in landfills, according to the Organization for Economic Corporation and Development.
A significant portion of single-use plastic gets piled up on coastlines and contributes to the growing burden of marine litter, endangering aquatic biodiversity. In India, anthropogenic activities add approximately eight million tonnes of plastic waste to the marine environment.

Key sources

Land-based sources such as dumpsites located near the coastlines or banks of a river, flood waters, industrial outfalls, discharge from storm water drains, untreated municipal sewerage, beach litter, tourism, fishing, ship breaking yards, defence-related facilities, automobiles, industrial wastes, natural events, etc are the main factors contributing to the menace of marine litter.
- Of this, around 75-80 per cent of municipal waste is collected and only 25-28 per cent of this collected waste is processed and treated. The discarded municipal solid waste takes the conventional route of natural waterways and becomes part of marine litter
In addition to this, sea-based sources such as waste from ships, fishing vessels and other public transport and research facilities; offshore mining and extraction; legal and illegal waste dumping; ghost nets, natural events, etc.

Impact of Marine Litter

Marine debris can transcend international borders and disperse to faraway locations from its place of origin. Since marine species consume microplastics, they can eventually sweep into our food chain.
Additionally, leached chemicals may also bioaccumulate in these species and endanger human health.
It can create problems for industries such as Shipping, fisheries and aquaculture and maritime tourism which affect livelihood of the coastal community.

Global efforts to tackle Marine litter menace

The 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter (or the London Convention).
The 1996 Protocol to the London Convention (the London Protocol).
The 1978 Protocol to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) considers plastic marine debris and its ability to transport harmful substances as one of the main emerging issues affecting the environment.
GloLitter Partnerships Project:
It is launched by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and initial funding from the Government of Norway.
Aim: To prevent and reduce marine plastic litter from shipping and fisheries.

Indian efforts to tackle Marine litter menace

The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 clearly stipulate that urban local bodies (ULBs) should ban less than 50 micron thick plastic bags and not allow usage of recycled plastics for packing food, beverage or any other eatables.
- The Rules also require that local bodies should provide separate collection, storage and processing of plastic waste in their areas.
The government has set an ambitious target of eliminating single-use plastics by 2022.
India is a signatory to MARPOL (International Convention on Prevention of Marine Pollution).
Clean Seas Campaign https://optimizeias.com/india-and-clean-sea-campaign/