Ghost Gear Report - 57

Although some progress has been made, there are glaring gaps in regulation at the global level and the
existing frameworks lack articulated global targets. There is currently no obligation for states to develop
and implement national action plans including the preventive, mitigation and curative measures needed
to address ghost gear; no agreed standards for reporting and monitoring of plastics (including ghost gear)
or for reviewing the effectiveness of implemented actions; and no global financing mechanism in place to
support measures to effectively eliminate discharge of plastics into the ocean. So far, the UN Environment
Assembly has adopted a total of four resolutions on marine litter and microplastics, and seeks to "prevent
and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including
marine debris and nutrient pollution" by 2025 as part of the Sustainable Development Goal 14 and its
target 14.1. And ghost gear is the most damaging form of all marine debris173.
An effective global response to this crisis requires a comprehensive international treaty with clear obligations and responsibilities to prevent and reduce the influx of marine plastic pollution into the ocean. It
must include ambitious targets, binding measures and sufficient support mechanisms. Such an agreement
will coalesce the efforts of member states for tackling the problem of marine plastic pollution including
ghost gear, establish a measure of accountability and provide non-governmental actors, including businesses, a level playing field and a harmonized legal framework against which to measure performance.

WWF RECOMMENDATION:
● The new treaty should include a clearly formulated vision of eliminating discharge of
plastic into the ocean, directly or indirectly, based on the principle of precaution and
in recognition of the devastating impact marine plastic pollution has already shown
to have on marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods.

It is abundantly clear that the problem cannot be solved on a national or regional level, or through
non-binding, voluntary measures alone. WWF is calling on states to begin negotiations, as soon as
possible, on a new international legally binding agreement to tackle the problem of marine
plastic pollution.

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Ghost Gear Report

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Ghost Gear Report
