Marine litter is a global concern affecting all the oceans of the world. It poses environmental, economic, health and aesthetic problems that are rooted in poor solid waste management practices, lack of infrastructure, indiscriminate human activities and behaviours and an inadequate understanding on the part of the public of the potential consequences of their actions. The UNEP Global Initiative on Marine Litter has
provided an effective framework for conducting regional activities addressing marine litter around the world,
including those of the 12 participating Regional Seas programmes.
The objective of this document is: to present and analyse available information on marine litter discussed in documents produced by the 12 regional programmes with the help of regional consultants and technical experts; and to propose recommendations for addressing the problems associated with marine litter worldwide.