INVESTIGATION OF SWEDEN’S IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON MARINE LITTER ADOPTED BY THE REGIONAL SEA CONVENTIONS OSPAR AND HELCOM

Abstract

Through joint, global objectives such as the SDG’s, (in particular SDG 14 and target 14.1), the vision of a clean and healthy ocean can be achieved, alongside a sustainable use of the marine resources. The sea conventions OSPAR and HELCOM is possessing powerful roles, that through collective measures such as decisions, recommendations, policy briefs and other agreements can act towards a healthier North- East Atlantic and Baltic Sea. Both conventions have established Regional Action Plans on Marine litter, consisting of actions with the aim of reducing marine litter significantly. Some of the actions have been adopted as Recommendations that the Contracting Parties are expected to carry out and report the progress on. The Swedish Agency of Marine and Water Management (SwAM) collaborates closely with the two conventions to reach both national and regional objectives. To improve the marine and water management it is necessary to have a clear picture of what has been done in order to fil up potential gaps. This report therefore investigates Sweden’s implementation of the Recommendations on marine litter adopted by the two sea conventions. Sweden’s implementation progress was compared to the Contracting Parties (CP’s) Denmark and Germany which also are expected to pursue both convention’s Recommendations. A total of four Recommendations (two of each convention) were investigated which summed up to be the valid Recommendations on marine litter from OSPAR and HELCOM. The results showed that Sweden’s implementation was for some of the Recommendations similar to Denmark and Germany’s but for some it differed. It is difficult to attempt to answer if Sweden’s implementation of the Recommendations could be interpreted as inadequate in some ways since the implementation of actions differed from Denmark and Germany. In the end the issue of marine litter can’t be avoided and solutions such as Recommendations from OSPAR and HELCOM should be prioritised from the CP’s if we want to stand a chance that within a year reaching the SDG target 14.1.