Marine Litter
Marine litter is widespread and poses a threat to wildlife in and around the sea, and may also pose a risk to human health. Marine litter has recently gained significant attention and there is now a consensus for action. However, that requires more knowledge and a thorough understanding of this increasing global problem.
SALT maps quantities and transport of marine litter, and we identify sources and causes to litter ending up in nature. The knowledge we build is then transfered into concrete preventative measures or communicated to decisionmakers. We want to contribute to an efficient and knowledge-based monitoring of marine litter, and to be able to track changes over time. SALT also plays an important role in the development of new value chains for marine litter or plastic waste from maritime industries. Last, but not least, SALT is a key player in organising profsessional beach clean-ups in Norway.
SALT has developed scientific methods for mapping marine litter. With this we provide advice to public and private sector stakeholders and we are involved in international processes to develop and standardize measurement methods.
The network of clean-up professionals in Norway is growing rapidly. This requires thorough assessment of the efforts made in order to remove litter, and careful consideration of the consequences for vegetation and wildlife. SALT administrates national clean-up programs, as well as initiating our own professional clean-up operations.
We work to identify sustainable waste management systems solutions and circular models for marine litter and plastic originating from maritime industries. This includes improving the waste management system the for the fishing fleet along the entire coast, and identifying solutions for collection, reuse and recycling of used fishing gear and aquaculture equipment. We also contribute to international research projects aiming to develop new biodegradable materials that can reduce the amount of plastic litter released in the sea and associated problems like ghost fishing.
Prevention is the most important and cost-effective measure against marine litter. This requires in-depth understanding of where the litter comes from as well as pollution causes. Therefore SALT has developed comprehensive marine litter research methods, and we also study data collected by others. We are committed to provide this knowledge to authorities and other stakeholders currently contributing to the ever growing marine litter problem.
Projects
Publications
News
How can fisheries crime be prevented? That is the question being asked in the JustFish research project. Together with project manager Nofima, UiT Norway's Arctic University and the University of Manchester, causes for the fishery legislations being violated are investigated. This week the project visit "The Fishing capital" Båtsfjord, where a workshop with fishermen and industry is on the programme. Read more about the project here.
The Mannar Region Systemic Solutions (MARESSOL) project conducted by a coalition consisting of IUCN (Sri Lanka), LEF(Sri Lanka), SALT(Norway) and SDMRI (Tamil Nadu), is addressing the concerns of ALDFG in the Gulf of Mannar through 2 years of research across 17 study sites to understand the composition of macro debris in the region. The findings were stark; ~40% of all macro debris found along the Gulf of Mannar was abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). Furthermore, most of the gear used in Sri Lanka is made out of Nylon 6, a material that has incredible recycling properties and when effectively managed, has the potential to create circular economies. Through MARESSOL, a National Advisory Committee (NAC) chaired by the Ministry of Environment was created to address policy regulations, and registration of gear at the national level and steer circular solutions.