The First International Workshop on Marine Litter in the Northwest Pacific Region was held on November 14-15, 2005 in Toyama, Japan.
31 experts from the NOWPAP Member states (China, Japan, Korea, and Russia) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), and a large general audience, around 70 people, participated in this workshop.
1. Objectives
(1) to exchange information on the situation and activities about marine litter (i.e. monitoring methods, prevention, management, publicity and so on)
(2) to construct the close relationship among researchers and organizations in the NOWPAP Region
2. Participating Organizations
(1) Sponsors
・ Ministry of the Environment of Japan
・ Northwest Pacific Region Environmental Cooperation Center (NPEC)
(2) Supporters
Toyama Prefecture, Toyama City, NOWPAP RCU, Japanese Association for Coastal Zone Studies (JACZS), Japan Driftological Society, Japan Society of Waste Management Experts (JSWME)
3. Program
(1) Keynote Speech by Dr. Ellik ADLER (Regional Seas Programme Coordinator and Senior Programme Officer, Regional Seas Programme, UNEP)
(2) Special Lectures by Dr. Jeung Sook PARK (Scientific Affairs Officer, NOWPAP RCU (Busan Office)) and Dr. Haruyuki KANEHIRO (Professor, Tokyo University of Marine Science & Technology)
(3) Status Reports on Marine Litter in the NOWPAP Member states by National Focal Points of the NOWPAP Marine Litter Initiatives
(4) Session 1: Simulation Model and Monitoring of Marine Litter Distribution in the Northwest Pacific Region and its neighboring areas
(5) Session 2: Policy and Management on Marine Litter in the NOWPAP Member states
(6) Session 3: Miscellaneous Topics concerning Marine Litter
(7) Summary of Workshop:
In one keynote speech and two special lectures, the situation of marine litter problems around the world was introduced and the needs of appropriate management policies and public awareness were stressed. Then, the National Focal Points of the NOWPAP Member states explained the current situation of marine litter in each country.
In session 1 to 3, there were presentations on ocean currents carrying marine litter, marine litter monitoring, management and policies on marine litter, and other marine related issues such as ghost fishing and activities by NGOs.
4. Result of the Workshop
Through this workshop, participants acknowledged the importance of (1) development of a cooperative monitoring system on marine litter based on the existing monitoring activities in the NOWPAP Region, (2) establishment of a better waste management system to prevent litter from land and sea, (3) enhancement of scientific research activities concerning marine litter in the NOWPAP Region, (4) formulation of robust cooperation and partnerships among NGOs, the industry, the scientific community, other stakeholders and relevant organizations (international, regional, domestic) for applying their knowledge and experiences more effectively, and (5) more efforts to solve this trans-boundary problem in cooperation with NOWPAP MALITA, as the preparatory step towards the development of a regional strategy/policy on the sustainable management of marine litter.
It was concluded that this workshop became the first step to consider marine litter as a common regional problem among the NOWPAP Member states. Participants could exchange information on marine litter and construct a network among organizations and researchers. They agreed to apply the results of this workshop to further development of activities to solve the marine litter problem in the NOWPAP Region.
