Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter Management (RAPMaLi) for the Wider Caribbean Region 2014

In recognition of World Oceans Day 2016 "Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet", UNEP-CAR/RCU is re-releasing the updated Marine Litter in the Wider Caribbean: A Regional Overview & Action Plan.  This document provides an update to the 2008 “Marine Litter in the Wider Caribbean: A Regional Overview & Action Plan” (RAPMaLi). The regional overview and development of the 2008 RAPMaLi was part of an initiative conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme-Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit (UNEP-CAR/RCU) with financial support from UNEP’s Regional Seas Programme and the UNEP Global Programme of Action. This update was commissioned by United Nations Environment Programme Caribbean/ Regional Coordinating Unit (UNEP-CAR/RCU).

Abstract:

Countries of the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR) including coastal and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are blessed with an abundance of natural assets. These beautiful, yet fragile ecosystems support many endemic species and are ringed by coral reefs and mangrove forests which provide food and shelter for marine life as well as food and livelihoods for humans. The islands in the WCR face special challenges unique to SIDS.

These challenges include small land mass (a greater proportion of which is coastal land), poorly developed waste management infrastructure, vulnerability to extreme weather events, and the location of the majority of their populations within 10 kilometres of the ocean.

The Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter (RAPMaLi ) for the Wider Caribbean Region was originally developed in 2007 as a project under the directive of the United Nations Environment Programme (through its Regional Seas Program) in response to growing global concerns of litter accumulation in our oceans.

The Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit of UNEP undertook the task of compiling and developing the RAPMaLi. The regional approach of this project promotes problem solving at the national and local levels, recognizing that unique regional characteristics shape a variety of solutions to this endemic problem.

A testament to the success of this approach is evidenced in the increased level in participation of 20 countries in 2014, up from 14 countries included in the original report. The RAPMaLi action plan has since been implemented through selected pilot projects in Guyana, Barbados and Saint Lucia.

CEP Technical Report: 72