Here you can find more information about our Marine strategy like, MSFD & Recovering marine litter.
Regarding the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), EUCC has been actively involved from the beginning on the issue of Marine Litter and Underwater noise, in particular. Member States were expected to design and implement their monitoring programmes; in respect to these Descriptors 10 – Marine litter and 11- Underwater Noise they rely until a great extent on the recommendations of the technical groups, that EUCC has also been an expert member and has supported the activities of both TG Marine Litter and Underwater Noise under a specific contract (see list of ongoing projects). The main activities during 2016 were to provide technical support to the technical groups: the MSFD-Technical Group on Marine Litter (TG- ML) and MSFD Technical Group Underwater Noise (TG Noise). During 2016, we mobilized our expert knowledge, especially on marine litter and underwater noise. In particular, EUCC has continue to support the preparation of technical documents related to these topics. EUCC lead the production of the Technical report: Identifying sources of marine litter and the edition and contributions to the reports Socio-economic and environmental harm of marine litter and Riverine Litter Monitoring - Options and Recommendations. In addition, and as a result of several projects in this field, EUCC has become one of the expert organisations in marine litter and underwater noise and their impacts on biodiversity and provide support to the implementation of the MSFD and the process towards reaching a Good Environmental Status; and to further provide specialist advice to the MSFD Common Implementation Strategy by participating in the MSFD Working Groups GES, the TSG Marine Litter & Underwater noise.
Project - Administrative, organisational and technical support for the Technical Sub-Groups on Marine Litter and Underwater Noise (2015-ongoing) EUCC lead the execution of this service as part of the Framework contract ENV.D.2/FRA/2012/0025 for services related to “Emerging pressures, human activities and measures in the marine environment (including marine litter)“.
The overall objective of this contract is to address the emerging pressures and emerging human activities and related measures in the marine environment with the view to informing and assisting Member States in the preparation of their national programme of measures to achieve or maintain good environmental status, as provided for by Article 13 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD: 2008/56/EC). The objective of the service contract, was to provide administrative, organisational and logistic support to the Technical Sub Groups on Marine Litter and Underwater Noise, which included:
Financing Agency: European Commission DG ENV
Healthy Seas a journey from waste to wear (ECNC group) (2013 - ongoing). The Healthy Seas initiative is a joint venture of a non-governmental organization (ECNC Group) and two businesses (the Aquafil Group and Star Sock) in it’s journey from waste to wear. Healthy Seas recovers abandoned fishing nets that pollute our seas and coasts and regenerate the nylon into high- quality yarn which is turned into brand new sustainable textiles. Healthy Seas non-profit activities include the recovery of fishing nets by volunteer divers and their storage in special facilities, in addition to educational and prevention programs. In 2016 the fishing net recovery took place in Belgium, United Kingdom, Malta, Greece, Italy and The Netherlands.
75 volunteer divers and 650 fishing boats recovered and collected a total of 152 tons of fishing nets. For preventing marine litter, we collaborate with fishermen, fish farms, local communities and other stakeholders to prevent waste nets from ending up in the sea. Together we work on measures to dispose of nets in a responsible yet affordable way. We also work on raising public awareness of the environmental damage caused by ghost fishing gear and promote the ecological and economic importance of healthy seas.
http://healthyseas.org
Main Financing Agency: Aquafil Group, via ECNC Land & Sea Group EEIG , Adessium Foundation and partners like Star Sock, Desso, Interface and Kaufland.