Desktop Study on Marine Litter Including Microplastics in the Arctic

The Arctic Council’s working group Protection of Arctic Marine Environment (PAME)conducted the “Desktop Study on Marine Litter, including Microplastics in the Arctic” as part of the first phase of a Marine Litter Project included in the 2017-2019 Work Plan. This Study contains five sections: I. Rationale, Objectives and Geographic Scope; II. Applicable Governance Frameworks; III. Literature Review; IV. Knowledge Gaps; and V. Main Findings and Next Steps.The development of the Desktop Study was driven by the need to better understand the state of knowledge of marine litter in the Arctic. The objectives of the Desktop Study are to: (i) evaluate the scope of marine litter in the Arctic and its effects on the Arctic marine environment; (ii) enhance knowledge and awareness of marine litter in the Arctic; (iii) enhance cooperation by the eight Arctic States to reduce negative impacts of marine litter on the Arctic marine environment; and (iv) contribute to the prevention and/or reduction of marine litter pollution in the Arctic and its impact on marine organisms, habitats, public health and safety, and to reduce the socioeconomic costs litter causes.