Results
MARINE LITTER ASSESSMENT
CleanAtlantic partners have gathered and assessed data, knowledge and gaps regarding marine litter in the Atlantic Area, and identified and map key stakeholders and associated initiatives.
MONITORING THE STATE OF MARINE LITTER
The objective of this working stream was to reinforce and support harmonized monitoring of marine litter in the framework of the MSFD. To do so, the CleanAtlantic consortium has built interfaces and applications to collect data, has also reviewed and improved monitoring protocols and developedĀ tools to monitor the distribution and abundance of marine litter.
MODELLING MARINE LITTER
Through this working stream partners produced regional maps of marine litter and hotspots of floating litter. These maps were based on mapping the circulation of floating masses of marine litter and the role of prevailing currents and winds. Hotspots and accumulation of marine litter in coastal areas were also identified.
RISKS AND IMPACTS
Partners worked on assessing risks and impacts of marine litter in marine biota, and in the role of marine litter as a non indigenous species vector. The consortim also studied the economic impact of this thread onĀ tourism, fisheries and aquaculture.
WASTE MANAGEMENT, CLEANING AND REMOVAL
CleanAtlantic has been working in advancing in the reduction of the presence of marine litter in the Atlantic Area in collaboration with marine stakeholders (sea professionals, ports and local authorities).
TRAINING AND AWARENESS RAISING
One of the objectives of CleanAtlantic was to increase awareness on local and regional stakeholders about the sources, impacts and solutions for marine litter and on how they can actively contribute to prevent, monitor and reduce it.
TOOLS
CleanAtlantic has developed dababases, software, map viewers and a number of Apps for mapping, monitoring, analyising and modelling marine litter. Other tools developed by the project have allowed mapping existing knowledge related with marine litter and initiatives and to assess the interest of citizens in marine litter.
PROTOCOLS AND GUIDELINES
CleanAtlantic has developed protocols for the monitoring floating marine litter and for detecting microplastic in marine biota. The partnership also worked on the definition of guidelines for the clean-up of marine litter in the coastline.