Resolution MEPC.341(77): Strategy to address marine plastic litter from ships

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) adopted resolution MEPC.341(77) on Strategy to address marine plastic litter from ships. The resolution was released last week in the MEPC 77^th session report.

The Correspondence Group on Development had been established by MEPC 74 and coordinated by Singapore. The group submitted its first report to MEPC 75, but due to time constraints the report was deferred to this session.

The committee considered two main issues: information and proposal regarding marking of fishing gear and the proposal regarding making the Garbage Record Book mandatory for ships of 100 GT and above.

Furthermore, the Committee highlighted the need for further investigation into the impact of microplastics from paints and anti-fouling coatings used on ships, as well as highlighting the hazardous nature of plastic pellets, as marine plastic pollution remains a grave threat to all marine environments.

MEPC agreed to undertake a review of the Strategy in 2025 and noted that a review of the actions within the Action Plan will be undertaken in 2023.

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS:

MEPC.341(77) - Strategy to address marine plastic litter from ships

MEPC 77/16 - 77th session report