Suggestions for a Systematic Regulatory Approach to Ocean Plastics

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Marine Biology
• Public Health

Background:

• Over eight million tons of plastic enter oceans annually, posing a severe threat to marine life, food safety, and human health.
• Existing regulations struggle to address the multifaceted issue of ocean plastic pollution effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an improved regulatory process for ocean plastics by integrating scientific findings, regulatory strategies, and action plans.
• To establish a comprehensive, multi-actor, multi-issue, and multi-level regulatory framework for ocean plastics.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of current definitions and classifications of plastics, microplastics (MPs), and nanoplastics (NPs).
• Identification and critique of regulatory loopholes at global, regional, and national levels.
• Proposal of key actions and a systemic integration of scientific and regulatory advancements.

Main Results:

• A proposed interconnected multi-tiered (MT) plastic governance framework is presented.
• The framework emphasizes a rights-based approach and the precautionary principle for defining plastics.
• Evidence from the SECURE project at UiT supports the integration theory and rights-based approaches.

Conclusions:

• The MT plastic governance framework offers a holistic and effective model for organizing complex information in plastics regulation.
• The framework includes detailed mitigation measures, defined rights and duties, and a reparatory justice system.
• This model holds significant implications for environmental protection, food security, food safety, and human health.