Government launches initiative to reduce ocean plastic
The government has launched a major initiative with Irish fishermen to tackle marine litter.
The Clean Oceans Initiative aims for all Irish trawlers to recover plastic waste from the oceans on every fishing trip.
Plastic is the most common waste found in the sea, making up 80% of marine litter, while almost 70% of larger plastic waste in the oceans is fishing related.
To tackle plastic in our oceans, the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed launched the campaign is Ireland’s first coordinated action on land and at sea to collect, reduce and reuse marine litter.
The Department of Agriculture is now assembling a team of stakeholders from across the marine industry to focus on solutions for marine litter prevention and removal.
Earlier: Government to launch initiative to tackle marine litter
The government is set to announce a major new initiative to tackle marine litter today.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed will reveal the plans this morning.
It comes as research found that plastic is the most common form of marine debris, with up to 80% of marine waste comprising of plastics.
The Clean Oceans Initiative is Ireland's first coordinated campaign on land and at sea to collect, reduce and reuse marine litter.
It aims for 100% of Irish trawlers to recover plastic waste from the oceans on every fishing trip.
Minister Creed will launch the plans in the Union Hall in west Cork.
