Jun. 2013. Vol. 4(1)ISSN 2287-8971

1. AMETEC Training Workshop on Marine Debris for Asian ICC coordinators (Korea)
2. Convene Japan-U.S. cooperative investigation and forum regarding tsunami flotsam hosted by JEAN (Japan)
3. SOW World Ocean Day Participation (Taiwan)
4. Ban on Styrofoam cups comes into force in Tainan City, Taiwan (Taiwan)
5. The Missing Shoes Year 2, Green Fins Association (Thailand)
6. Report of 2012 Cleanup Campaign & ICC in Japan (Japan)
7. Annual forum on marine debris held in February 2013 in South Korea (Korea)
8. 2013 International forum for the watershed management of marine litter (Korea)
9. English version of marine litter activity book ‘Listen to the Voice of the Ocean’ issued (Korea)

1

ACTIVITIES
1. AMETEC Training Workshop on Marine Debris for Asian ICC
coordinators
By Dr. Yong Chang Jang, researcher in OSEAN
yongchangjang@hotmail.com

Recommended Citation:
The AMETEC Training Workshop on Marine Debris for Asian ICC coordinators was held in KIOST, Geoje, South Korea and 10 ICC
coordinators from Asian countries participated in the program.

2)International trends in coping with marine debris

3)

Impact of marine debris on wildlife

4)

Microplastics

5)

Toxicity of the plastic marine debris

6)

Transport of marine debris in the oceans

7)

Marine debris as a vector of indigenous species

8)

How to design public awareness programs

9)

Awareness program design – Korean case I

10) International lighter project11) Beach litter survey with volunteers12) Marine litter budget model
13) Addressing Styrofoam buoy marine debris pollution with
Training workshop on marine debris for Asian country
coordinators of International Coastal Cleanups (ICC) by Ocean

stakeholder participation
14) Awareness program design - Korean cases II: Impact onConservancy was held in Korea Institute of Ocean and SciencemarineTechnology (KIOST), Geoje, South Korea from June 11 to 21 andparticipation, education materials)

10 ICC coordinators participated in the program. AMETEC (APEC

15) EPS debris reduction in Kagoshima

Marine16) Reviewing protocol for beach debris survey and field

Environmental

Training

and

Education

Center,www.ametec.org) has run a training program for improving ability

life(aboutonlinefundraising,citizenapplication

to conserve marine environment and increasing awareness in Asia
Pacific region since 1997. The main themes over the past years have

The key words dealt in the workshop were citizen science, beachbeen oil, persistent organic pollutants, and trace metals in the marine

survey, awareness, and policies to address marine debris issue.

environment. Now marine debris is the theme of the program for 3

Large-sized marine debris was firstly targeted.

years from 2013 to 2015. OSEAN gets involved to co-organize, givelectures, and lead discussions.

Participants shared their countries’ situations through country
reports and presentations. They talked about characteristics ofThis workshop consisted of (1) overall understanding the issue ofmarine debris policies and had chances to understand big differences

marine debris, (2) developing monitoring protocol of beach debris

between them although their countries are located closely. They also

and practicing it, and (3) awareness program design for marine

learned recent scientific progress in marine debris research,debris. The participants had the time to introduce the management

reviewed monitoring guideline on beach debris provided bypolicies of marine debris and the activities in their countries. The

UNEP/IOC in 2009, and discussed improvement of it throughtitles of the lectures were as follows.

experience from field trip. They were introduced to awarenessprogram design, made their own program and shared with each

1)

Introduction to marine debris and overall AMETEC

other. They are expected to make a step forward through their own

programprogram and share their experiences next year.

Marine Litter News_ 2

Participants discussed marine debris issues actively and shared

Introduction of the lecturers and participants

their opinions throughout the period and from morning to evening.
Even after the final ceremony they shared the documentaries they1.

Lecturers from Korea

are shown and useful information for organizing ICC more
efficiently.

Dr. Sang Hee Hong is aprincipal research scientist of

After a few days from the start, one of the participants created a

Oil and POPs Research Group

facebook marine debris page and started to share their information.

in KIOST. She is in charge of

It is probably because they are altogether ICC coordinators and

AMETEC program and madealways think over marine debris and have organized activities abouta plan for this workshop. She

marine debris issue.

also gave a lecture titled‘Toxic chemicals associatedAsian ICC coordinators have had this job for many years,

with marine debris’.

organized and undertook many activities. But they have never met
together before this program. We really thank KIOST for giving this
precious time.

3_ Jun. 2013. Vol. 4(1)Dr. Won Joon Shim is head of Oil

Jongmyoung

Lee

and POPs Research Group in

director in OSEAN. He gave

KIOST. He gave a lecture about

lecturesmicroplastics in this workshop.

strategy and emergence of new

titledis‘The

generalHonolulu

global marine litter regime’, and‘Awareness program design–

Korean case: EPS project (yearlyworkshops and research).

Dr. Young-Gyu Park is principal

Dr.

research scientist in KIOST andYong Chang Jang is a

researcher in OSEAN and hegave a lecture titled ‘Transport oflecturedmarine debris in the oceans.

on

how

to

designawareness program. He led thediscussion for developing beachdebris research protocol and field
trip.

Sunwook Hong is president of
OSEAN

and

coordinator.

KoreanShe

2.

Lecturers from overseas

ICC

introduced

Dr. Shigeru Fujieda is a professor

participants to marine debrisof Kagoshima University, Japan.

issue dealt with in AMETEC

He gave lectures titled ‘Marine

program and gave lectures titled,litter‘Impact of marine debris on‘International lighter project’, andwildlife’, ‘A proposal for the‘EPS

beach debris research protocol’,Kagoshima’.

budgetdebrismodel’,

reductionand ‘Awareness program design – Korean case : Impact of marine
debris on marine life’.

Dr. Martin Thiel is a professor ofJongsu Lee is a researcher in

Universidad Catolica del Norte,

OSEAN and she led field trip.

Chile. He lectured on marine
debrisasindigenousavectorofnon-

speciesandonvolunteer participation in marine
debris survey. Ho also took thechairduringdiscussionfordeveloping beach debris research protocol, and led to agreement.

Marine Litter News_ 4

in

3.

Participants

Most of 10 participants are ICC coordinators in Asian countries.

1

Bangladesh :Mr. S.M. Muntasir Mamun
Bangladesh Youth Tourism
Foundation

He is famous worldwide for a cross-country bicycle trip to make people know
serious plastic debris problem. He always tries to find a better way for sustainable
development in developing countries. He publishes magazines as a journalist andcreates application for Smartphones as an engineer.

2

Brunei :Mr. Alan Tan
Beach Bunch

He is a co-founder of Beach Bunch, an NGO with wind surfers and has worked for a
hotel. Brunei produces enormous natural gas and petroleum and imports almost all of
the necessities. He focuses on changing consumer’s daily life like reducing usage ofplastic bags to preserve beautiful ocean in Brunei.

3

China :Mr. Yonglong Liu
Shanghai Rendu

He has been Chinese ICC coordinator since 2007 and a marine conservationist. He
supports NGOs’ establishment in China and corresponds to requests of NGOs. Suchsupports help him organize ICC, too. He has participated in the international eventsand is eager to spread the news and ideas to Chinese society.

4

India :Mr. Mukund Lele
Indian Maritime Foundation

He has served in navy and been Indian ICC coordinator since 2012. He is a memberof the Indian Maritime Foundation, and the National Society for Clean Cities. He
takes an active interest in children’s education, particularly in spreading awareness of
the Ocean, and preserving our ocean resources; and enjoys taking classes for giftedchildren. He is active in social service in Pune, supporting NGOs in environmental
friendly initiatives.

5Japan :Mr. Majanga Benjamin Dotto
Kagoshima University

He is doing his doctorate research in supervision of Pr. Shigeru Fujieda. His master
dissertation is about “Marine debris (Expanded Polystyrene) sources and distribution
along the coastline of the Kagoshima Bay, Japan”. He has attended monthly seminaron marine debris with OSEAN.

6

Philippines :Mr. Gerry P. Reyes
Philippine Coast Guard
Auxiliary

He has been Philippine ICC coordinator since 1994. The volunteers in ICC havebeen over 100,000 and have ranked the second in the world. He has involved in theenvironmental and ecotourism projects, coastal resources management, wildlife
preservation and habitat management, scientific studies, dive instructions over 30
years. He wants to share his experiences in AMETEC with the governmental partners
in Philippines.

7

Singapore :Mr. N. Sivasothi
National University ofSingapore

As an ecology lecturer at National University of Singapore, he has organised ICC
since 2000. The Singapore cleanup is systematically managed, using internet-based
functions. His research concerns about mangroves and otters are harmonized withcoordinating ICC and he motivates university students to take leadership roles. He
wants to greatly improve education methods.

8

Taiwan :Mr. Tai-Di Chang
Kuroshio Ocean Education
Foundation

He has worked for conserving dolphins and preventing oceanic pollution andorganized ICC since 2004. He is one of the founders of TOCA (Taiwan Ocean
Cleanup Alliance) and sends articles for the Marine Litter News by East Asia Civil
Forum on Marine Litter (ECM). He has contributed to connect China and Taiwan
with other countries in terms of marine debris activities.

9

Thailand :Ms. Kanyarat Kosavisutte
Green Fins Association

She founded Green Fins Association in Phuket in 2008 and has organized underwaterand beach cleanups and continued to raise awareness by educating younger
generation. She has an outstanding talent to produce educational materials: “Giftfrom the Sea: 10-min animated film about marine debris”, “The Missing Shoes:
crafts made of flip-flop discarded on the beach on the basis of community
involvement”, etc. She sends articles for ECM.

10Vietnam :Ms. Trieu Thuy Ha
Centre for Marine Life
Conservation and Community
Development

She works for environmental organization in Vietnam as a communication acting
manager. She builds, coordinates, and implements communication strategies andplans for sharing results of projects. She coordinated events relevant to ICC in 2012.
Her specialty would greatly contribute to share the ideas, experiences, andknowledge from the AMETEC workshop.
5_ Jun. 2013. Vol. 4(1)

ACTIVITIES
2. Convene Japan-U.S. cooperative investigation and forum regarding tsunami
flotsam hosted by JEAN
By Dr. Shigeru Fujieda, Professor of Kagoshima University and board member of JEAN
fujieda@fish.kagoshima-u.ac.jp

Recommended Citation:
Fujieda, Shigeru. (2013) Convene Japan-U.S. cooperative investigation and forum regarding tsunami flotsam hosted by JEAN, Marine
Litter News from East Asia Civil Forum on Marine Litter, Vol. 4(1): 6

This is a cooperative project by NGOs from the U.S. and Japan
conducted through the network formed from the ICC, in preparation
for the full-scale of driftage washing ashore on the west coast of theNorth American continent. In August 2012, a meeting was held inOregon, U.S. by ICC coordinators from Japan and the U.S. In
January 2013, an investigation was conducted on the coast of
Hawaii, US, and in February, a citizen forum and another coastal
investigation were held in Oregon, US.

In March 2013, briefing

sessions on this project were held in Tokyo and Sendai. Through thepresent project, cooperation deepened between ICC coordinatorsfrom the U.S. and Japan and Ocean Conservancy. Furthermore, bydeveloping cooperation with domestic NGOs that are engaged insupport activities for the earthquake disaster, new connections were

Tsunami Debris study in Oʹahu Island, Hawaii, Jan. 2013

established and deepened among the relevant parties and the
network has been expanded.
http://jean.jp/en/

Japan-US Marine Debris Workshop & Cleanup, Oregon, US. Feb. 2013
Marine Litter News_ 6

3. The Society of Wilderness World Ocean Day Participation
La Benida Hui, Curator of World Oceans Day educational show in SOWlabenidahui@yahoo.com

Recommended Citation:
Hui, La Benida. (2013). The Society of Wilderness World Ocean Day participation. Marine Litter News from East Asia Civil Forum on
Marine Litter, Vol. 4(1): 7

Over 200 volunteers, 10 supporters, 8 professional artists, 4Action steps, interactive learning and ocean stories are key

scientists, 3 schools, 1 curator and 1 NGO have joined forces under

aspects presented to encourage a better understanding of the ties that

one roof to present a World Ocean Day art exhibition and filmbind us to our environment and the need for Taiwan’s preservation.

thfestival, on June 8 to September, 2013.

Through a combination of workshops, lectures, and lessons theteam formulated (with the help of the World Ocean Day
Organization model) a traveling educational show, titled: “LoveYour Ocean Home: Together We Have the Power to Protect”. Thisshow begins with the story of water, how it travels, and how ourhuman impact affects the wildlife before it reaches the ocean.

7_ Jun. 2013. Vol. 4(1)

ACTIVITIES
4. Ban on Styrofoam cups comes into force in Tainan City, Taiwan
By Jui-kuang Chao, researcher of Environment Division & Yating Tai, leader of the beach monitoring volunteers
in TAINAN COMMUNITY UNIVERSITY
c7720831@ms59.hinet.net, yating.tai@gmail.com

Recommended Citation:
Chao, Jui-kuang, Tai, Yating. (2013). Ban on Styrofoam cups comes into force in Tainan City, Taiwan. Marine Litter News from East Asia
Civil Forum on Marine Litter, Vol. 4(1): 8-9.

The ban on Styrofoam cups in Tainan City came into force from
April, 2013.

We continue our efforts to raise people and government’s
awareness of disposable food containers. And we proudly announce
that Tainan City is the first one in Taiwan to ban the use of

Tainan Community University has conducted marine littermonitoring since October, 2005. For the past eight years, disposable
beverage container is one of the most commonly found litter on
Tainan beach that locates at the southwest part of Taiwan. Based on
the data we collected every month since 2005, we urged thegovernment several times to ban the use of Styrofoam cups. In 2007,
we started a campaign to ban Styrofoam cups and it was approvedby several officials from the government sectors. However, wedidn’t succeed back then because of the disapprovals of beverage
shops owners.
We didn’t stop our efforts since then. We exhibited art works
made from marine litter and posters introducing marine debris inseveral local schools. We organized campaigns to encourage people
to “Bring Your Own.” We promoted taking your own cups to buy
beverages. Since then our government also passed an incentive.
Consumers can get discounts when they bring their own containers
to buy drinks.

Marine Litter News_ 8

Styrofoam cups. The effort of marine litter monitoring for the past 8
years contributes to this success.

Next, we will keep on urging our government to come up with

Following is our observation on Tainan beach in 2012:better policies for limiting the use of plastic bags. Also, the

1. Plastic bags are the top one litter for several months. They arematerials used to make the bags should be biodegradable and notbasically from local sources instead of drifting here from otherpolluting the air when being burned. Moreover, the recycling

countries.

incentive of glass beverage bottles should be provided. Management

2. Oyster farming racks and fishery Styrofoam still have a big

and recycling of fishery Styrofoam still have many aspects we

impact on our coast. Though the amount of Styrofoam is less thanshould improve. The above mentioned areas will be our next goals

the past few years, we still need to work on improvements. Also,

to solve the marine litter problems.

oyster farming racks shouldn’t be burned right on the beach as away to dispose them.
3. Disposable beverages containers are the top three litter, including
plastic cups, Styrofoam cups, plastic bottles, glass bottles, straws
and lids. The straws are also increasing.
4. Plastic particles are commonly found on the beach, also withincreasing numbers.

Styrofoam cup is one of the most commonly found litter on Tainan beach

9_ Jun. 2013. Vol. 4(1)

ACTIVITIES
5. The Missing Shoes Year 2, Green Fins Association
By Ms. Kanyarat Kosavisutte, Secretary of Green Fins Association
footprint_architec@yahoo.com

Recommended Citation:
Kosavisutte, Kanyarat. (2013). The Missing Shoes Year 2, Green Fins Association. Marine Litter News from East Asia Civil Forum on
Marine Litter, Vol. 4(1): 10-12.

This is probably the last report for The Missing Shoe Project. It is
the second year we granted with small funding to extend ourSince the first year we have our consultant with Professor
Natthapong Nithi-Uthai at the University of Songkla Nakarin inexperiment with the first year to put it into practice with the local
people. We approached to reuse the non-recyclable material throughsmall industrial production and handicraft from the local. The idea is
to make non-recyclable marine debris worth effort and valuable
enough so that people collect and remove from the beach and resultin clean ocean. We do not usually see the plastic bottles andaluminum cans lying on the beach. In fact people collect them even
before it gets to the ocean. A lot of trash end up in the ocean not

Pattani Province that is at the southern part of Thailand to
experiment with the flip-flop. This year I want to reuse flip-flopcollect on the beach as outdoor playground sheet. A simple design as
jigsaw pieces were drawn out of 5 types so that we can extend andput it together to any square and rectangular size to serve any playground equipment. The iron knife were shaped into 5 typical jigsaw
designs and sent directly to Pattani. The process was removed partsof flip-flop, sorted the color and shredded with the shredder machine

because people purposely litter, but because of mismanagement. In
the developing country like Thailand, there are people who arewilling to earn extra money or make a living by collecting valuable
trash. This year I introduce one more material on land that I foundeasy to collect as the flip-flop lost on the beach, aluminum foil
laminated with plastic packaging for snack. I look up about material
and it took 400 years to decompose. I thought that aluminum foil
packaging could be collect before it ends up on the beach or in thedumpsite. There always will be plenty of material to use.

into small pieces. Then he put polyurethane as bonding agent, mixed
them and put into a simple rectangle mold, pressed hard and heavy
with the hydraulic press machine.
At the beginning of the project, I had planned the whole processof clean up the beach on ICC day, collecting data, introduce theselected local people with the various workshops on Marine Debris
issue such as making art and using local craftsmanship to produce
souvenir and useful things from trash for inspiration. I selected
strong Muslim community where they are closely tight together withvarious activities such as Water Buffalos Conservation to grow ricewith water buffalos not machine, Sank-Yoth Rice Plantation, CoffeeConservation, Pandanus Weaving Group, and Organic Vegetable
Farming. I was interesting especially for pandanus weaving because
I think the older generation can pass on their method to the young
generation with the new material, used aluminum foil packaging. In
the end not quite the same method was applied, a difference method
but the same look and outcome. I chose this community also
because their village is so clean; I think that is important to start.
Not even halfway through 6 workshops, they all died out as theylost interested in the whole Marine Debris issue I introduced them.
I moved back to where I live in Phuket that is easier as I don't haveto travel long distance to work with the new group named Natural
Resources and Environment Village Volunteer. All of them similar
to the previous group are household Muslim wives have their own
jobs and are closely tight together. They have their skills to

Marine Litter News_ 10

into basket so on. It was not difficult or spent too much timeworking with them using aluminum foil packaging. During this twodays workshop with them, I want to practice garbage management
so they can use in their everyday life and what is the point of thiswhole workshop if we don't reduce-reuse and recycle. I stressedwith them to use all reuse material for lunch and coffee break. They
did not pay attention, they were not concern and they do not care. At
the end I can only as them to separate garbage. They still have notcompleted the assignment I gave them to submit one sample pergroup. I followed them to the Open Beach Festival which one groupsold the bag they made with me.
November 21st, 2012 worked with Natural Resources andEnvironment Village Volunteer in Phuket. I told them how I cameabout to practice garbage management and try to make a living out
of it. I showed them the sample of bag I made, 100% from flip-flopand many more idea can be done. I taught them to made beads fromproduce the gadget things as sample I provided them.

But they

have no time to really keep on producing them further.

flip-flop I collected. I taught them to string the beads using wires
and tide them together in line to create anything. I wait to collectsample from them in exchange with the equipment I gave them to

The last group I worked with was the Garbage Saving Bank &work with. I will also finish my sample, which is a basket.

Recycle Waste Transformation Center because I was hoping that I
could solve my problem. I have spent most of my budget alreadyand still I have no community who can supply goods if I were theinvestor to open this green market. I am willing to explore any
opportunity it comes. I chose them because they were success incollecting the household garbage and exchange for the money andthe member grew dramatically at the dense government housing
community in the heart of Bangkok City. They have been working
with various women group such as women who in need for the job
in prison. I continue and keep contact with this group so that they
can teach some community who want to earn money.
January 30th, 2013 worked with Garbage Saving Bank & Recycle
Waste Transformation Center, Bangkok. I introduced a few people
to make bags from used aluminum foil packaging because thematerial is more suitable for them as they are in Bangkok. The
material can be collected easily anywhere from any community suchas school or housing. They still have to make at least one sample forme in exchange with the knowledge I gave them.
November 22nd, 2012 worked with Natural Resources andEnvironment Village Volunteer in Phuket. They have been working
with the milk-carton; plastic strapped and weaved them
11_ Jun. 2013. Vol. 4(1)

ACTIVITIESNovember 17th, 2012 I was invited to make an exhibition on behalfbusiness and marketing seems difficult and against the wave. In myon Green Fins Association at the Butterfly Release Year 6, a green

evaluation for The Missing Shoes project, I may be interested in the

charity at Khao Prataew Wildlife Restriction Area in Phuket. The

issue so I want the other to think the same and want to do the same.

green activities such as release butterfly and fish, plant local palm

The activities were not attractive enough for the local to become

tree, recycle model contest, photo contest subject on My Greeninterested and doing it. Thailand maybe too far in developing as a

Phuket and charity fair drew a lot of attention from the public andcountry or southern part of Thailand where the land connect to thethe media. My exhibition was on Marine Debris, The Missing Shoes

shorelines are interested in tourism business more than spend time

Project, garbage management at home and souvenir for sale on thiscollecting garbage, clean up the ocean and producing useful things

issue. I have sample of bags made from used aluminum packaging

from trash. Or my last conclusion is that they are sufficient living.

and flip-flop beads displayed which students and teachers wereThis project will still be on for me. I will try to make the flip-flop

interested. The collection of my treasure were sorted and displayedbeads with the hydraulic pressing machine like jigsaw sheet insteadin the glass jar. The children really like it since they have never seenof hand-hammer every beads to save time. The fun part is when you

such garbage in this point of view.

have small piece ready and you just work on the subject with yourimagination and creativity. I will continue to do what I believe in,th

October 14 , 2012 Art from trash workshop was conducted by Visa

practice in garbage management, and make a living out of it.

Surachart, with the Children and Youth Council at Tung Talay
Rehabilitation and Wildlife Conservation by King Initiative, Krabi.

*http://earth911.com/recycling/metal/aluminum-foil/facts-about-

The detail was stated in my previous report and this was the lastaluminum-foil/workshop with the group prior to my relocation back to work on thisproject in Phuket.
September 30th, 2012 Professor Nattapong Nithi-Uthai conducted asimple method on Flip-flop transformation with the Children andYouth Council at Tung Talay Rehabilitation and Wildlife
Conservation by King Initiative Krabi. At this workshop we
discussed about the outcome of the data we collected.

I have asked

the one that noted down the counted number of trash to describe totheir friends without the data and later with the data. I hope they pay
attention enough to understand and have a clearer picture theimportant of collecting data.

From all my experience this has

become annoying by volunteer, as they just want to clean up thebeach and go.
September 16th, 2012 International Coastal Cleanup Day with theChildren and Youth Council at Tung Talay Rehabilitation and
Wildlife Conservation by King Initiative, Krabi. The outcome wasreported on my previous writing.
The budget is finished and still I have not be able to establish any
community to work with me. I can spend all my time keep designingand make sample of things I want to make. I am hoping thatsomeone will see what I do, and want to do what I strongly believethat it will work, at least environmentally wise. The whole green

Marine Litter News_ 12

6. Report of 2012 Cleanup Campaign & ICC in Japan
By Dr. Shigeru Fujieda, Professor of Kagoshima University and board member of JEAN
fujieda@fish.kagoshima-u.ac.jp

Recommended Citation:
Fujieda, Shigeru. (2013). Report of 2012 Cleanup Campaign & International Coastal Cleanup in Japan. Marine Litter News from East Asia
Civil Forum on Marine Litter, Vol. 4(1): 13.

In 2012, “Fragments” were

In the 2012 Cleanup Campaign, a total of 26,495 people

2000.

participated from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south,(52.1%).

and 35 tons of litter was collected from 119 km of coast, riverbank,become serious. They are fragmented from the impact of waves orlakeshore, and underwater.

We would like to express our gratitude

deteriorated from ultraviolet rays while drifting in the ocean over a

to all of the participants who put time and effort to help removing

long period. Therefore, it is a matter of great urgency to collect thelitters.

objects from the ocean before they become fragmented.

In the autumn 2012 International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), 9,029
people participated.

accounted for over half

The progression of marine litter being fragmented has

The coast

is a filter for the ocean, and with each wave, the ocean carries litter

A total of 347,780 pieces of litter was pickedto the shore, and again takes them away scattering over a wide area.

up carefully one-by-one from 57 km of water shore (coast,

Since we are the only beings on earth that create things that will

riverbank, and lakeshore), underwater and inland areas.

become litter, as we use and discard them, we have an obligation atAsummary of the overall results is presented here.
Incidence of the top 10 items no major changes found for over 22
years.

Top items are shifted from cigarettes/filters (1990s) to rigid

plastic pieces (2000s).

least to always keep the coasts, which are the ocean’s filter, clean
for compensation. To recover and maintain the beautiful ocean, we
need to continue cleanup efforts by everyone.

Items rising in rank over 22 years are

fragments of plastic sheets and bags and plastic beverage bottles.

Please downroad the pdf files (English version) from the following

Items dropping in rank over 22 years are beverage cans andwebsite. http://jean.jp/en/

fireworks. Food wrappers/containers have increased again since-

13_ Jun. 2013. Vol. 4(1)

ACTIVITIES
7. Annual forum on marine debris held in February 2013 in South Korea
By Dr. Yong Chang Jang, researcher in OSEAN
yongchangjang@hotmail.com

Recommended Citation:
Jang, Yong Chang. (2013). Annual forum on marine debris held in February 2013 in South Korea, Marine Litter News from East Asia Civil
Forum on Marine Litter, Vol. 4(1): 14.

Annual forum on marine debris organized by OSEAN was held in
February 2013 in Tongyeong City, South Korea. About 40 people
participated to listen to the presentation on the recent studies andeducation cases on marine debris in Korea. Here, the proceeding issummarized.

1. National Marine Debris R&D Project Planning
Dr. Won Joon Shim at KIOST (Korea Institute of Ocean Scienceand Technology) gave a presentation on National Marine Debris
R&D Planning with support of the Korean government. He is
preparing the draft plan and introduced the main contents. He
emphasized policy and R&D should be coordinated.

2. Cases of Marine Debris Education
Cases of Marine Debris Education were shown by Mr. Jong Ho
Lee, a teacher at Choongmoo Elementary School in Tongyeong City,and by Tae Hee Kim, an environmental guide trained by Young Nam
Sea Grant.
Mr. Jong Ho Lee has invented many creative methods ofeducation for his classroom. He showed an example: Collecting EPS
ball with chopstick. As the EPS breaks down to small pieces,

Mr. Jong Ho Lee is showing his experiment on how difficult tocollect EPS grains once those were broken down.
I gave a presentation on "Double-entry accounting system forunderstanding the marine debris flow and stock," which I have been
researching recent year. By comparing the flow (how much debris
enter the ocean during a period) and the stock (how much debris
exist in the ocean at a certain moment), we can check the reliabilityof the estimation of the marine debris amount. This method will be
used in preparing "Second National Basic Plan to Manage Marine
Debris" of South Korea.

collecting them becomes much more difficult. The students learn
that preventing marine debris before they enter the ocean is mucheasier way than collecting afterwards.
Ms. Tae Hee Kim told that she did the marine debris education
more than 200 times during the year 2012. She, who works as anindependent environmental instructor in Busan area, raised
awareness of the students who visited her to learn about the marine
environment.

4. River Basin Management of Marine Debris
As the marine debris comes from the river, preventing it from theriver basin will be much more efficient. Ms. Sunwook Hong,
President of OSEAN gave a presentation on "How to do River BasinManagement of Marine Debris." She emphasized that establishing
networks of government, citizens, and other stakeholders isimportant for successful management of marine debris at river
basins.

3. Double-entry accounting system for understanding the marine
debris flow and stock

Dr. Jin Ho Park at Kyungnam Development Institute, Dr. Dong
Joo Kim at Jeonnam Development Institute, and Ms. Tae Hee Kim
at Korea Zero Waste Movement Network participated in panel
discussion.

Marine Litter News_ 14

ACTIVITIES
8. 2013 International forum for the watershed management of marine litter
By Dr. Yong Chang Jang, researcher in OSEAN
yongchangjang@hotmail.com

Recommended Citation:
Jang, Yong Chang. (2013) 2013 International forum for the watershed management of marine litter, Marine Litter News from East Asia
Civil Forum on Marine Litter, Vol. 4(1): 15

Contents and Presenters
Time

Contents
May 15, 2013

09:00-09:30
09:30-10:00

10:00-12:00

12:00-13:30

2013 International forum for the watershed management of

13:30-14:45

marine litter was held in Geoje on the 15th of May, 2013. It was
hosted by Youngnam Sea Grant and organized by OSEAN andsupported by Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Gyeongnam

14:45- 15:00

Province, Geoje City, and Korean Maritime Institute. About 40
people participated in the forum and there were researchers, NGOs,
civil servants, and journalists among them. All of the participants

15:00-17:30

actively asked questions, answered each other and shared theirideas. They also participated in developing watershed management
policies. Here is the time schedule of the forum.

17:30-18:00
18:00-20:00

Registration
Opening ceremony
Introduction of participants
Purpose of the forum(Sunwook Hong, OSEAN)
Session 1. Introduction to watershed management in
Korea and other countries.
- Management program of Hozu River in Japan(Harada Sadao, Osaka University Commerce of Japan)- Coping with marine debris of Mogami River, inYamagata Prefecture, Japan(Kaneko Hiroshi, president of JEAN)- Marine debris management in Masan Harbor(Bokyoung Lee, Korea Federation for Environmental
Movement)
Lunch
Session 2. Evaluation of watershed management policy- Cleanup of watershed litter(Dae Hyun Park, Ministy of Environment)- Developing watershed management policy in Nakdong
River(Jinho Park, Gyeongnam Development Institute)
RecessSession 3. Workshop on river and watershed management
policy of litter- Plan of workshop and introduction to IPA (Improtance
Performance Analysis) (Jongmyeong Lee, OSEAN)- Drawing ideas for watershed management policy(all participants)-Evaluation of the ideas(all participants)
Conclusions
DinnerMay 16, 2013
10:00-14:00

Field trip to Masan Bay

15_ Jun. 2013. Vol. 4(1)

9. English version of marine litter activity book ‘Listen to the Voice of the
Ocean’ issued
by Jongsu Lee, researcher in OSEAN
leesavannah@hanmail.net

Recommended Citation:
Lee, Jongsu. (2013) English version of marine litter activity book ‘Listen to the Voice of the Ocean’ issued , Vol. 4(1): 16

A beautiful activity book ‘Listen to the voice of the ocean’ which
was made by artist Jung-Ah Kim was translated into English! Now
it can be used by children all over the world. The activity book was
issued on Dec. 2012 in Korean, widely distributed to children,
OSEAN member and neighbors, and used in various ways. It was
originally made for elementary school students and it vividly shows
the marine animals which are suffering from marine debris.
Children will enjoy this activity book by drawing some pictures andmaking models. On releasing the book, many people from different
countries have requested the English version. We hope that children
all over the world are aware of seriousness of marine debris problem
and think the way to decrease them.

The activity book was made possible thanks to thousands ofInternet users throughout South Korea, who asked Naver
Happybean Foundation to donate its money for the fundraisingproject, ‘Marine mammals which are dying from marine litter. Whaton earth did we do?’ and OSEAN members, who contributed to thisproject.

We really appreciate all of their supports.

To download
http://oseannet.cafe24.com/2013/Marine%20litter%20activity%20b
ook%20in%20English-low%20res(OSEAN).pdf

Upcoming events*International Coastal Cleanup, 3rd Saturday, Sep. 2013 in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand*Annual Marine Litter Summit organized by JEAN, Oct. 2013. Contact: cleanup@jean.jp*2013 NOWPAP International Coastal Cleanup and Workshop on Marine Litter Management, Oct. 24-26,
Okinawa, Japan. Contact: webmaster@nowpap.org

Marine Litter News_ 16

What is East Asia Civil Forum on Marine Litter?
East Asia Civil Forum on Marine Litter is a network
established in 2009, made of NGO groups dedicated toprotection of marine environment from marine litter in east
Asia countries.
Network member groups are:Japan: Japan Environmental Action Network (JEAN)
South Korea: Our Sea of East Asia Network (OSEAN)
Thailand: Green Fins Association (GFA)
Taiwan: Taiwan Ocean Cleanup Alliance (TOCA)an ‘East Asian Civil Forum on Marine Litter’ through which

To the readers,

relevant NGOs and organizations in the East Asia could shareotherexperiences and information and work together on the marine

environmentally, geographically, historically, or culturally

debris problems. OSEAN and JEAN have reached a consensus

through shared regional seas. The East Asian region is one of theto launch the forum and publish biannual newsletters. So wemost dynamic economic centers with some of the busiest

have launched the East Asian Civil Forum on Marine Litter andshipping lanes in the world. With the spread of mass production

we are delivering marine debris news from member countries via

and consumption over the last decades came the huge increase ine-mail to people who are concerned with this problem on local,

solid waste generation. There are, however, not enough waste

national, and regional levels. In late 2012 now, we have four

treatment facilities and management measures, which makes themembers above. We hope that the forum could provide a venue

region vulnerable to marine debris pollution.

for all of us to share our vision, experiences, and creative

East

Asian

countries

areconnected

to

each

actions.
Entering the seas in large amounts, floating debris has becomea source of concerns and conflicts among some neighboring

This is the first effort to link the East Asian people beyond

countries. This transboundary environmental problem requires

geographical and language barriers to a common goal ofconcerted efforts of all the relevant stakeholders beyond sectoral

protecting our seas from marine debris pollution. NGOs andand political boundaries. In this regard, OSEAN (Our Sea oforganizations that have interests and passion to make our seas

East Asia Network) and JEAN (Japan Environmental Action

clean and healthy are more than welcome to join us. For more

Network), the marine debris NGOs in Korea and Japan, haveinformation, you can contact us at loveseakorea@empas.com.

shared a vision in which people in the East Asia could act

Please let us know if you have any problem in receiving thetogether as one community in protecting our precious marine

newsletter. These articles are also available online at

ecosystems. We believe that NGOs in the East Asian countries

http://cafe.naver.com/osean.

have an important role in sharing experiences and acting
together to address the marine debris issue in the region from theSecretariat,

bottom up.

Sunwook Hong (OSEAN) and Kojima Azusa (JEAN)
The city governments of Shimonoseki and Nagato, and JEAN
co-organized‘2009

MarineLitterSummit-Shimonoseki•Nagato Meeting’ on October 16-18, 2009, in
Shimonoseki, Japan. OSEAN suggested in the meeting to start
17_ Jun. 2013. Vol. 4(1)Recommended Citation for the whole volume:
Hong, Sunwook. (2013). Marine Litter News from East Asia Civil Forum on Marine Litter, Our Sea of East Asia Network,
Vol. 4(1): 1-18, Tongyeong, South Korea.

Contacts
Japan Environmental Action Network (JEAN)
202, Mansion SOPHIA,
3-4-12, Minami-Cho, Kokubunji-Shi, Tokyo, Japan
URL http://www.jean.jp

E-mail cleanup@jean.jp

TEL +81-42-322-0712

FAX +81-42-324-8252

Our Sea of East Asia Network (OSEAN)
717, Leadersvill,
1570-8, Jukrim, Gwangdo, Tongyeong, Gyeongnam, 650-826, South Korea
URL http://cafe.naver.com/osean
TEL +82-55-649-5224

E-mail oseannews@naver.com

FAX +82-303-0001-4478

Green Fins Association (GFA)
154/1 Phang Nag. Rd. Tombol, Thailand
URL http://www.greenfins-thailand.org E-mail footprint_arkitec@yahoo.com
TEL +66-81-691-7309

Fax +66-76-391-127

Taiwan Ocean Cleanup Alliance (TOCA)
97057, No.87, Fuyang Rd., Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan
URL http:// www.icctaiwan.org.tw E-mail kuroshio@seed.net.tw
TEL +886-3-857-8148

FAX +886-3-857-8948

Marine Litter News from East Asia Civil Forum on Marine Litteris published two times a year by civil groups in east Asian countries.

Editor:Sunwook Hong,
President of OSEAN
Postal Address: 717, Leadersvill, 1570-8, Jukrim, Gwangdo, Tongyeong, Gyeongmam, 650-826, South Korea
E-mail: loveseakorea@empas.com
Marine Litter News_ 18