NOAA Marine Debris Program Supports UN Report on Guidelines for Monitoring and Assessment of Plastic Marine Debris
MARCH 29, 2019 — During the fourth session of the U.N. Environment Assembly (March 11-15, 2019), the United Nations' Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) released its report, Guidelines for the monitoring and assessment of plastic litter and microplastics in the ocean.
The NOAA Marine Debris Program’s Chief Scientist Amy V. Uhrin served as an observer during the creation of this report, attending workgroup meetings and providing feedback on written materials. NOAA also provided financial support.
The GESAMP report provides recommendations, advice, and practical guidance for the establishment of programs to monitor and assess the distribution and abundance of plastic debris in the ocean. It seeks to promote a more harmonized approach for monitoring plastics and microplastics and to inform the establishment of national and regional field monitoring programs.
GESAMP is jointly sponsored by nine U.N. organizations with the function of conducting and supporting marine environmental assessments, undertaking in-depth studies, analyses, and reviews of specific topics, and identifying emerging issues regarding the state of the marine environment. NOAA joins GESAMP in celebrating the report’s release!
For more information, please contact Amy.Uhrin@noaa.gov.