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.
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News
On May 16th 2023, the Mannar region Systemic Solutions (MARESSOL) project hosted an international event in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to present findings from the recently published report “Marine litter from Fisheries in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait – Knowledge basis and recommended avenues for change“. The conference was attended by more than 80 distinguished guests, both in room and online, ranging from government officials, NGOs, IGOs, private sector and academia. The conference was opened by a list of distinguished speakers, followed by a presentation of the report findings. Conclusively, a panel discussion was facilitated by Prof. Pradeep Kumara from the University of Ruhuna, followed by an open floor for questions and answers from the audience.
On behalf of the project partners, we thank all participants of the conference, and a special regards of gratitude to all the exceptional contributions from distinguished external speakers and panelists who contributed at the conference:
• Mr. H. M. K. J. B. Gunaratne, Director (Development), Ministry of Fisheries
• Dr. Ananda Mallawatantri, Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka (Environment, Climate Change, and Green Finance)
• Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Environment
• Ms. Kalyani Hewapathirana, Director, Department of Fisheries
• Mr. S. Ranawaka, Director General, Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resources Management
• Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe, Secretary, Sri Lanka Medical Association
• Mr. Sreeram Sirinivasan, Former Chief Project Director, Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company
• Mrs. Cecilie Lind, CEO, the Norwegian Retailers Fund
• Dr. Sandun Perera, program coordinator, IUCN
• Dr. Shamen Vidanage, Country Representative, IUCN Sri Lanka
Forbes Magazine discuss where Norway should invest to increase its circularity. One of the measures highlighted is the “Small Circles Concept” developed by SALTs Vilma Havas, our former colleague Jannike Falk-Anderson, now at NIVA – Norwegian Institute for Water Research, and Paritosh Deshpande from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Read the article in Forbes here Read more about the “Small Circles Concept” and download the three researchers publication, here at our webpage.
Photo: Unsplash - Naja Bertold Jensen