2016 SoE Marine Chapter - Effectiveness of Management - Marine debris

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "Effectiveness of marine management of marine debris". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESSURE BEING MANAGED, AND ITS IMPACT
There is a good understanding of the potential sources of marine debris, however the distribution of various forms of marine debris in the marine environment is less well known although improving. Understanding of the impacts on the marine environment and knowledge of the key species at risk are improving and is an area of active research. In some cases predictions of impacts are made using limited scientific evidence, with available studies focused on acute impacts on individuals rather than long-term population consequences. Some work has been done in modelling the distribution and trajectories of marine debris, however there has been limited in-field verification of modelled outputs.
DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT
Data and analyses published in peer reviewed publications and agency reports. Details of the specific data sets used to generate this assessment have not been provided.
2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details]
• Understanding of pressure: Local sources of marine debris are well known with increasing understanding of sources from neighbouring areas; knowledge of impacts is increasing however requires a greater level of understanding.
• Planning associated with management of pressure: International conventions addressing the release of marine debris are in place and there are some efforts to improve waste reception facilities at both local and neighbouring international ports, however there are few practical arrangements in place for comprehensive and coordinated mitigation.
• Input for informing management of pressure: Waste management programs have been developed but are yet to be implemented into fishery management arrangements and identification of port waste reception facilities is currently voluntary.
• Processes associated with developing, monitoring, and updating management: Management frameworks for land based sources operate across multiple jurisdictions that are not coordinated and there is currently no clear management framework at the Australian government level.
• Outputs from management framework in place: Measures made against the objectives of the Threat Abatement Plan have been identified as being ineffective at addressing threats associated with marine debris.
• Outcomes of management framework in place: Marine debris continues to impact species and ecosystems with no decline in pressures on the marine environment.
CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT
The assessment is consistent with the assessment provided in the 2011 report.

Tags: environmental management, expert assessment, marine debris
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network