Contamination in the marine environment is not a new phenomenon with marine plastic pollution being one of the most prevalent threats to fish and marine wildlife. Documentaries such as BBC’s Blue Planet II have opened our eyes and raised public awareness of the detrimental effects of marine plastic. In January 2019, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine launched the ‘Clean Oceans Initiative’ which is Ireland’s first co-ordinated initiative on land and at sea to collect, reduce and reuse marine litter and clean up our marine environment. The Fisheries Producer Organisations, which represent the majority of Ireland’s trawling fleet, have endorsed the Clean Oceans Initiative and encouraged their members to sign up and get involved. Ireland’s commitment to Goal 14, Life below water is reflected in the enthusiasm shown towards the Clean Oceans Initiative.

Source: Irish Examiner July 21, 2020 16:24 UTC