Working with US, UK on marine debris: Official

Acknowledging that the country doesn’t have a policy in place for marine debris yet, Rajeevan said, “In India, no detailed studies has been done. With marine litter now coming into focus, we will have a project to study it.” 

Consequently, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences is now set to work with the foreign governments on this issue. 

Offering more details on the plan, Rajeevan said, “We will be working with the UK and US governments to understand the gravity of the situation and help the government to formulate a policy and set guidelines.”   

Highlighting the problem, Pravakar Mishra, Scientist, National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), said, “Thirty per cent of the marine litter on the ocean is abandoned fishing nets and gear made of synthetic material. They are a threat to marine life.” 

According to a study by Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a UK-based organisation, there will be more plastic than fishes in oceans by 2050. 

Stressing on the need to develop a strategy, a report by Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) mentioned, “Considering the growing threat to sustainability of resources and reduction in ecosystem functional services leading to loss of livelihood in fisheries sector, we strongly recommend that there should be a National Marine Debris Management Strategy with specific goals for prevention and control of debris accumulating and spreading in coastal and marine ecosystems.”