10 May 2016: Oceans and fisheries officials from 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies agreed on measures to prevent and manage marine debris and microplastics in Asia-Pacific at a meeting of the APEC Oceans and Fisheries Working Group (OFWG) in Arequipa, Peru.

The OFWG meeting convened from 5-7 May 2016, as part of a series of meetings that APEC is holding in Arequipa around its Second Senior Officials’ Meeting, which is taking place from 5-15 May. Other APEC meetings are addressing education, food security, rural development, sustainable cities, mining, and trade policy and trade agreements, among other topics.

APEC officials drew attention to the socio-economic impacts of marine debris, recommending the adoption and alignment of management policies. Marine debris results in a loss of US$1.26 billion annually to APEC countries, according to an APEC press release. It also highlighted the negative impacts of microplastics, small particles of plastics from cosmetics, industrial processes or other sources, on marine mammals and human health.

“Floating and microscopic debris is a growing problem that jeopardizes the marine environments and resources that feed our people and fuel our economies,” explained OFWG leader, Asis Perez. He said that APEC is working to deepen its partnerships to mitigate threats from marine debris and ensure the sustainability of marine economic activities.

APEC officials further agreed on the need to limit pollution to protect marine ecosystems; and a two-year training initiative to raise awareness on marine debris among governments and the private sector. The initiative will analyze information and case studies on microplastics and best practices in marine debris prevention and management. APEC is also working on lowering financial barriers to waste management and identifying ways to eliminate the leakage of plastic and waste into oceans and waterways. As part of these efforts, APEC has established test sites in Indonesia and the Philippines through a public-private sector approach that brings together the chemical, fisheries and ocean sectors.

These actions are in line with targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 14 (Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development). Target 14.1 aims to, by 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.

The OFWG works to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources and the protection of marine ecosystems to support fisheries and aquaculture and promote a common approach to preventing illegal fishing and related trade, among other activities. APEC members account for over 65% of the world’s capture fisheries and over 80% of global aquaculture production. APEC member countries are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Peru, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the US and Viet Nam. [APEC Press Release] [APEC Events Calendar] [APEC OFWG Website]