Marine litter is a global problem which poses an increasing threat to human health and safety, ecosystem services and sustainable livelihoods. The Northern Ireland Marine Litter Strategy is a co-ordinated response which aims to address the problem at a local level by reducing the levels of litter entering the sea and removing litter which is already there.
News
Marine Litter Report 2022
The Marine Litter Report 2022 was published in October 2023. The Report summarises the key findings of surveys of marine litter found on twelve reference beaches around Northern Ireland. The Report notes that an average of 542 items of litter were observed per 100m of beach surveyed during 2022, 90% of the items recorded were made of plastic.
New Marine Online Assessment Tool is now available
The UK have published an update on the state of UK seas. A new Marine Online Assessment Tool has been developed which details our progress towards achieving Good Environmental Status for the different components of the marine environment. Information on marine litter can be found on https://moat.cefas.co.uk/pressures-from-human-activities/marine-litter/
British Irish Council holds a Marine Litter Symposium
The British Irish Council held a Marine Litter Symposium on 22 February 2019 at the Strathclyde University Technology and Innovation Centre. The event was hosted by the Scottish Government.
Ministers stressed that marine litter was an issue that needed urgent, concerted and collaborative action at all scales, from local to global.
The British Irish Council Administrations issued a communique which identified three different areas where they could collaborate further to ensure progress These were:
Following on from the BIC commitment to working together, with industry, to develop solutions for the collection and recycling of end of life
fishing gear from its main fishing ports a study was commissioned by DEFRA and supported by Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to build a UK-wide evidence base to inform any policy intervention.
The project sought to understand the circulation and life cycle of fishing and aquaculture gear used in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The project involved the collection of quantitative data; fishing gear currently in use, in storage and on order for future use by UK vessels at ports. Research findings will be used to inform future research needs and policy interventions designed to sustainably manage fishing and aquaculture gear at its end of life and work towards a more circular economy.
The results of this research have been published see link below:
The UK disposed of weapons at Beaufort Dyke, a trench between Scotland and Northern Ireland. Since the 1990s, almost 200 shells, incendiaries and phosphorus flares have been washed up. Phosphorus flares are stable in water, but when they dry out, they fume and spontaneous combustion follows. If you see anything you suspect might be ammunition DO NOT touch it and call the police immediately.
Marine Litter Strategy
Although the Northern Ireland Marine Litter Strategy expired in December 2020 the structure it provides remains relevant to how we are addressing marine litter. The Strategy contained measures designed to change attitudes and behaviour towards littering; through education, adequate provision of bins, fining offenders and collecting data on the extent of the problem which are on-going.
Marine and Fisheries Division’s role in implementation includes on-going communication with stakeholders through face-to-face meetings and this website. Support will be provided and best practice shared among stakeholders, whilst keeping track of implementation and reporting on progress.
Accurate and reliable data is essential to properly manage and assess the levels of litter present in the marine environment. Data is needed to inform policy development and to evaluate progress towards meeting policy and legislative commitments such as achieving good environmental status under the UK Marine Strategy.
The Marine Litter Strategy is being implemented through partnerships between public, private and voluntary and community organisations.
Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful (KNIB)
Since 2012 Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful (KNIB) have produced the Marine Litter Survey on behalf of the Department. Eleven reference beaches are systematically surveyed using the internationally adopted OSPAR survey methodology.
The Marine Conservation Society uses volunteers to undertake an annual survey of beach litter over a single weekend “Beachwatch Big Weekend”. Details of how you can become involved and reports from previous years are available from their website:
Here you can download a range of material on the subject of marine litter. These include a newsletter, information leaflet and card, as well as other relevant information.
