The study provides a monitoring approach for state-wide debris management across Queensland, Australia, through the Reef Clean Project. From the study, it was found that plastics were found to be the dominant material (87% of total debris, with hard, soft, and foam plastics aggregated), although linking recovered debris to sources was limited as 67% of items were fragmented. The potential drivers of specific debris types (i.e., plastics, commercial fishing items, items dumped at sea, and single-use items) were tested, and significant relationships between debris accumulation with distance from the nearest population centre and site characteristics were also identified. This study clearly demonstrates the utility of citizen science to provide baselines and infer drivers of debris through data gathered at scales that are infeasible for most formal monitoring programmes. The identified drivers of debris may also differ from regional and global studies, where monitoring at relevant scales is needed for effective management. The findings from the study emphasise the need for empirical monitoring at management-relevant scales to detect drivers relevant to the area. There is an acute need for standardised and coherent data to understand the debris and its drivers. Monitoring programmes could be expanded through partnerships with the citizen science community, as demonstrated by the Reef Clean Program.
The Ocean Plastics Charter aims to bring together leading countries, sub-national governments, businesses, and civil society organisations to commit to a more resource-efficient and sustainable approach to keep plastics in the economy and out of the environment. With this charter, it aims to transition to a more sustainable and resource-efficient method of managing plastics. Through[…]
These regulations are intended to promote sustainable development, food security, and the sustainable management of fishing activities in Palau’s waters. They also intend to create economic returns, employment generation, and export earnings from the sustainable harvesting of tuna and tuna-like species by encouraging the development of domestic fishing industries and a local tuna market. These[…]
This subchapter E of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations outlines the pesticide programs, including registration and classification procedures, policies, special review procedures, standards, labelling requirements, packaging requirements, data requirements, and good laboratory practice standards. It also covers state registration of pesticide products, rules of practice governing hearings under the federal Insecticide, Fungicide,[…]
The Plastics Roadmap aims to decrease littering and other environmental harm brought on by plastics, prevent needless use, enhance plastic recycling, and replace traditional polymers derived from fossil fuels combined with various substances and liquids. To guarantee more focus on sustainable product development, reuse, product recyclability, and the growing usage of recovered plastics, these objectives[…]
The regulations aim to enhance aquaculture pollution prevention and control, protect aquatic ecosystems, ensure product quality and safety, and promote sustainable development. They consist of 24 articles divided into four sections: general provisions, delimitation of prohibited areas, pollution prevention and control, and environmental monitoring and supervision of fishery waters.