The Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland was first published in 2014 and serves to co-ordinate action on marine litter throughout the whole of Scotland. The updated Strategy will build on this positive work, with action planned on sewage-related debris, plastic pellets, and fishing and aquaculture gear.

The Scottish Government has published the refreshed Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland. The Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan, wrote in the foreword to the document that: ‘This is an issue that can only be addressed if all sectors take responsibility, from local and national government, businesses, to the third sector and individual citizens. Since its initial publication, Scotland has continued to make important advances towards reducing marine litter, such as being the first nation in the UK to introduce a ban on plastic-stemmed cotton buds, by introducing a ban on plastic microbeads in toiletries, as well as reducing litter from plastic bags through the carrier bag levy.

The updated Strategy will build on this positive work, with action planned on sewage-related debris, plastic pellets, and fishing and aquaculture gear. The Action Plan will drive forward effective change over the coming years to further protect our environment and help grow our circular economy.’

The Marine Litter Strategy’s purpose is to develop current and future measures to prevent litter from entering the marine and coastal environment, and to support its removal, in order to bring ecological, economic and social benefits.

The aim of the strategy is to help realise the vision of a ‘clean, healthy, safe, productive, and biologically diverse marine and coastal environment that meets the long term needs of people and nature’. This underpins developments in marine legislation through the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 in promoting sustainable use of our valuable and unique environment.

The implementation and progression of the strategy will continue to be led by Marine Scotland, in a co-ordinating role. It is recognised that responsibility for delivery is shared across local and national government, business, environmental and community groups, and private individuals.

Further information can be found here and the Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland can be downloaded here.