Table 1.
A selection of international and regional policy agreements targeting marine debris and plastics. Source: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 2005, Allsopp et al., 2006, Gold et al., 2013, Carroll, 2014.
| Date | Policy/Legislation | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1973/78 | International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) | Annex V species to prevent the dumping of plastic while at sea and for ports to have adequate facilities to handle waste |
| 1972 | London dumping convention | Targets the dumping of land-based waste deliberately at sea |
| 1976 | Barcelona convention | Targets the dumping of plastics in the Mediterranean from land and marine sources |
| 1982 | UN Convention of the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) | Targets the prevention, reduction and control of pollutants in the oceans from land and marine sources |
| 1983 | Cartega convention | Targets the dumping of pollutants in the Caribbean from land and marine sources |
| 1992 | Helsinki convention | Targets pollution from all land and marine sources |
| 1992 | OSPAR | Targets pollution into the North East Atlantic from land and marine sources |
| 1995 | FAO code of conduct for responsible fisheries | Targets the management of fishing gear |
| 1995 | UNEP global programme of action for the protection of the marine environment from land based activities | Targets pollution from rivers, estuaries and storm drains |
| 2000 | EU port reception facilities for ship-generated waste and cargo residues directive | Targets pollution from waste at ports |
| 2005 | UN resolution S/60/L.22 | Targets the integration of marine debris into national waste management |
| 2008 | UN resolution A/60/L.3 | Targets the creation of new strategies to tackle lost or abandoned fishing gear |
| 2008 | EU marine strategy framework directive | Targets litter in all EU seas based on source and type |
| 2009 | UNEP global initiative on marine litter | Creation of twelve regional seas to target marine litter at a regional level. Ties in with the UNEP Regional Seas Programme |
| 2011 | Honolulu strategy | Targets the management and monitoring of marine debris. Framework for application |
| 2012 | Rio + 20 | Targets a reduction in marine debris by 2025 |
| 2012 | Manila declaration | Targets the reduction of pollution from land-based activities |
| 2012 | Global partnership on marine litter | Targets the reduction of land and marine sources as well as reduce impacts on habitats |