Led by the UK through the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and funded by the UK government through the Department of the Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) is supporting five countries across the Commonwealth to take action on plastics entering the oceans. Wilton Park, an agency of the FCO responsible for convening high-level international dialogues, is organising the CLiP policy events.
Marine litter is found in all the oceans of the world. It is found not only in densely populated parts of the Commonwealth but also in remote areas, far from obvious sources and human contact. Up to 90% of marine litter is made up of plastics, originating from both land and sea-based sources. This makes plastic pollution one of the most widespread problems facing our oceans today. Developing adequate responses to this is an urgent challenge and coordinated and effective action is paramount. The issue is not confined to highly populated costal countries or region; it is a global problem that requires global as well as local solutions.
This workshop focused on supporting the development of potential national marine litter approaches for the Solomon Islands.
It provided an opportunity for participants from across the Solomon Islands to discuss opportunities to tackle the issue of marine litter in and around the Islands. The workshop was designed to draw on findings stemming from the Commonwealth Litter Programme research project and ultimately inform future action on marine litter.
Participants were invited from relevant government ministries including ministries responsible for environment, oceans, and education; local academics; business; and civil society, as well as a small select group of international and regional experts.
Discussions at the workshop were structured across five pillars of proposed marine litter interventions: land-based sources; sea-based sources; removal; science and research; and education and outreach.
