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UNEP(DEPI)/MED IG 20/8
Annex II
Page 142
2.2 Principles of the strategic framework
The underlying concept of this strategic framework is that marine litter is a local, national as
well as trans-boundary problem requiring specific measures at each level and across all
levels; particular to the Mediterranean region is that due to the different levels of economic
development amongst the countries a partnership approach is required. The management of
marine litter is not a standalone activity; removing the eyesore which marine litter causes is
only treating the symptom not the cause, therefore its management must fall under an
integrated approach to solid waste management both on land and at sea (see Figure 2). For
this reason there are numerous actors and activities in the management of marine litter that
are interlinked and must be incorporated in any strategy which attempts to reduce marine
litter.
Relevant
National
Authorities
Relevant
National
Authorities
Figure 2. Main sources of marine litter and responsible authorities in the
Mediterranean countries