The project, made up of 30 countries from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, aims to support developing nations in finding ways to prevent and reduce marine litter.
The efforts will focus on waste resulting from the maritime transport and fisheries sectors, including lost or discarded fishing gear, according to a FAO statement issued here.
GloLitter, initially funded by the Norwegian government through the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, aims to reduce the use and favor the recycling of plastic containers in those industries in order to protect the sea environment and livelihoods.
According to the FAO text, the project complies with Sustainable Development Goal 14 of the 2030 UN Agenda, which consists of preventing and reducing sea pollution and conserving and using oceans in a sustainable way.
FAO Fisheries Division Director Manuel Barange, quoted in the statement, highlighted the devastating effect of plastic litter on seal life and people’s health and stressed GloLitter is an important step ‘in tackling the issue and will help protect the ocean ecosystem as well as the livelihoods of those who depend on it.’
The project will analyze the availability and adequacy of port reception facilities and increase awareness in the maritime transport and fisheries sectors, especially in sailors and fishermen.
rly/aph/mem/smp/cvl
