Proceedings of the Untangled symposium: - WSPA

Annex 4Submitted abstracts accompanyingposter presentationsAbstracts are presented under the themes of reduce,remove, and rescue.Please note: all abstracts in Annex 4 are the intellectualproperty of the author and are presented here assubmitted. This annex does not contain content byWSPA; please contact individual authors for furtherinformation or requests to quote.ReduceThe following abstracts are those submitted under thetheme of reducing the amount of marine litter enteringthe oceans and harming animals.Regional cooperation and intergovernmentalagreements: key elements addressing marine debrisissues in the Wider Caribbean RegionAlessandra Vanzella-KhouriUnited Nations Environment Programme –Caribbean Environment Programme (UNEP-CEP)14-20 Port Royal Street, Kingston, Jamaicaavk@cep.unep.orgThe Convention for the Protection and Development ofthe Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region(Cartagena Convention, 1983) and its Protocols are theonly legally binding environmental treaties for the WiderCaribbean Region and constitute a legal commitment bythe participating governments to protect, develop andmanage their marine resources individually or jointly.Through the Protocol Concerning Specially ProtectedAreas and Wildlife (SPAW Protocol, 1990), coastal andmarine biodiversity issues are managed through anecosystem-based and integrated precautionary approachand supported through a comprehensive programme.Through the Protocol Concerning Land-based Pollutionand Activities (LBS Protocol, 1999), both point andnon-point sources of pollution, including marine debris,are addressed through an integrated environmentalprogramme, which also interacts with the GlobalProgramme of Action (GPA) on land-based pollution.The SPAW Protocol grants total protection to hundredsof species, including all species of sea turtles and marinemammals that inhabit the Wider Caribbeanand which are being affected by marine debris.A marine mammal Action Plan developed under SPAWhighlights entanglements and fisheries interactions asmajor threats to marine mammals. In this context, theUNEP administered Cartagena Convention and SPAWand LBS Protocols promote and facilitate regionalcooperation to address these issues within a holisticframework developed and executed in partnership withgovernments, other UN agencies and initiatives, NGOs,the scientific community, the private sector and donorsand which supports assessments, capacity building,and management interventions.Private sector efforts to create effective,collaborative partnerships to reduce litterAshley Carlson, ConsultantAmerican Chemistry Council115 Chase Rd, Londonderry, NH 03053, USAAshley@ashleycarlsonconsulting.comOver the years numerous programs and approacheshave been developed by government agencies,industry groups and NGOs to increase public awarenessregarding marine debris, and to establish litter abatementand other programs to change behaviors that ultimatelylead to marine debris impacting coastal areas andthe ocean.As producers of materials that have found their wayinto the marine environment, plastic makers are activelyinvolved in marine debris and litter prevention programsand are working with governments, scientists, retailers,anti-litter groups and consumers to devise solutions tohelp prevent marine debris.This presentation will highlight examples of severalsuccessful programs through the Declaration ofGlobal Plastics Associations for Solutions on MarineLitter. With over 50 plastics organizations from30 countries signed on to the Declaration, thispresentation will explore global projects and partnershipsthat work to help reduce plastic from entering ourenvironment, such as the American Chemistry Council’spartnership to place nearly 700 recycling bins andeducational signage in 19 communities along theCalifornia coast; and a global industry stewardship30