Key takeawaysUnder recent EU legislation targeted at reducing pollution from marine litter, all waste fishing gear containing plastics will require specific handling, monitoring and reporting when they are brought to EU ports. Member States should also set up their national collection targets for...

The Commission is preparing measures for microplastics not intentionally added in products but unintentionally released to the environment during their life cycle; a related public consultation is open until 17 May 2022.The initiative onMicroplastics pollution – measures to reduce impacts on the...

To promote the transition to a circular plastics economy, a clear policy framework is needed on the use of biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics. This will foster greater consistency in developing European policies, increase environmental protection, reduce consumer confusion, enhance...

To secure clean air, water and soil, healthy ecosystems and a healthy living environment for Europeans, the EU needs to better prevent, remedy, monitor and report on pollution, mainstream the zero pollution ambition into all its policy developments and decouple economic growth from the increase of...

The Mediterranean needs youA message from Gaetano Leone, Coordinator, UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention SecretariatThe Mediterranean continues to be a beautiful destination for millions of beachgoers and holidaymakers despite the rising pressure it has been subjected to for decades. The onset of...

8 public engagement workshops organized in 4 countries around the Black Sea, 2 major topics, marine litter and cetaceans, addressed by over 350 participants.If in the past few years it became common to hold meetings and discussions with various stakeholders, these workshops represented the...

Practical implications of the DirectivesUnder the revised PRF Directive, port facilities will have the obligation to include separate collection points for fishing gear and for passively fished waste in fishing harbours and apply a so-called 100% indirect fee system to incentivise landing of fished...

Several organisations, including Surfrider Foundation Europe, have introduced tallying systems to gather data on container losses. Surfrider Foundation Europe has been conducting studies on losses since 2014 to quantify and pinpoint their causes and effects. The first of these studies, carried out...

On 26 February 2019 DG MARE organized an informal discussion with Brussels-based plastic producers to answer questions about upcoming legislation in order to understand their experience on challenges, solutions and best practices on recycling of fishing gears (including different components) and...