Global Marine plastic litter Monitoring Network Project
Ministry of the Environment, Japan
(
Government
)
#OceanAction58743
Description
It is expected that monitoring will continue, but as different sampling and analytical methods are used - depending on the purpose of the surveys of each country and research institution - there is a fundamental lack of comparability among currently available data.
The Ministry of the Environment, Japan (hereafter MOEJ) is promoting the series of activities aiming to create a global network hub to share and compile the monitoring activities and data on marine plastic litter distribution collaborating with existing and further other initiatives and produce additional values by harmonization and visualization of monitoring.
Together with harmonization of monitoring methodologies with the guidelines developed in 2019, amended in 2023, for ocean surface microplastics (https://www.env.go.jp/content/000170493.pdf), the global database “Atlas of Ocean MIcroplastics; AOMI” has been launched in May 2024 (https://aomi.env.go.jp/). To date, more than 13,000 sampling data after QC/QA are processed to multilevel datasets in AOMI. AOMI also provides gridded data of microplastic abundance created through an optimal interpolation method. It will be capable of understanding the current extent of marine plastic pollution at global level, designing the field observations, and validating numerical model approach to uncover the fate of ocean plastics.
In addition, the value of marine debris data collected and made available to stakeholders through various platforms and data infrastructures distributed globally remains limited by insufficient level of coordination between efforts which deal with data comparability, availability, and quality assurance and control. The MOEJ is enhancing collaboration between international organizations, such as NOAA, European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet), GPML and Integrated Marine Debris Observing System
(IMDOS), through international workshops and development of those guidelines and database system, including AOMI.
・Ministry of the Environment, Japan.(Government)
・Kyushu University (Academic Institution)
・GPML（Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter）(United Nations / Multilateral body)
Researchers from Canada, China, France, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America, and also several international organizations are involved in development of the guidelines and database.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.1 | By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution |
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Ocean Basins
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Contact Information
Noriko, Deputy Director