Ocean Plastics Lab - Scientific Insights on Marine Plastic Pollution
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Scientific community
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#OceanAction41858
Description
BACKGROUND
At their June 2015 summit in Germany, the leaders of the seven largest industrial countries (G7) recognized the growing global challenge of litter in the oceans, especially plastics, and agreed to a G7 Action Plan to Combat Marine Litter. The G7 Science and Technology Ministers echoed this concern and intent to raising awareness among citizens through educational work (ocean literacy). The Ocean Plastics Lab is a contribution to this engagement.
THE EXHIBITION
The immersive and experienced-based exhibition spans four containers, which invite visitors to assume the role of a scientist and explore in a hands-on manner the extent and impacts of plastics in the ocean. Container 1 introduces visitors to the problem of marine plastics. Containers 2 and 3 take visitors on a tour of how scientific knowledge is created and applied to understand and to tackle the problem of plastics in the ocean. Exhibits
highlight what scientists are doing to identify and quantify plastics in the ocean as well as to analyze its effects on marine animals, ecosystems and humans. Container 4 shows how scientific knowledge can be applied to making informed personal decisions and invites visitors to participate in citizen science activities. Exhibits encompass interactive installations, displays and animations on loan from science and civil society partners from across the G7 and other interested countries.
ACTIVITIES AND POTENTIAL VENUES
The Ocean Plastics Lab will start travelling from September 2017 onwards. At each location, the Lab will act as a hub for launching further activities, to create a multiplier effect helping to include the local audience in long-term engagement. A typical exhibition is expected to last two weeks in prominent open-air locations.
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
Julia Schnetzer, Dr