Plastic Busters CAP project concluded its ambitious mission to address marine litter by successfully organizing a final hybrid conference on 8th November in Aqaba Jordan (Intercontinental Hotel) and in University of Siena – Italy.

The event, organized by the University of Jordan in cooperation with the University of Siena and Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO – ECSDE), brought together more than 200 among experts, scientists, activists, and stakeholders from the Mediterranean region, culminating in a comprehensive exchange of knowledge, experiences, and strategies in the ongoing battle against plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Conference highlighted several sessions and speakers: the welcome of the Rector of the University of Jordan-Aqaba and the Rector of the University of Siena, opened the conference, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts to combat marine litter.

The Session II focused on an overview of the ENI CBC Med framework while Maria Cristina Fossi, Professor of University of Siena and Plastic Buster Cap Project Manager, presented the project, its aims, results and activities.

The monitoring part of the project focused on the sharing, harmonization and application of standardized methodologies for monitoring, assessment and mitigation of marine litter derived from previous ENI CBC projects. The training and monitoring events involved more than 190 participants during the project coming from Universities, Diving centers, NGOs, local stakeholders and policymakers.

In particular during the monitoring&assessment campaign, 7 countries were involved with 8 institutions with more than 200 people. 20 beaches surveyed and 45 floating micro and macrolitter sampling at sea were performed. More than 80,000 items were isolated and characterized. 90% of items was composed of plastic polymer with a relevant percentage of cigarette butts.

About the pilot marine litter mitigation measure developed in Jordan, Tunisia and Lebanon, the project set up a sups-free network of coastal food and beverage outlets and developed a network of collection points for beverage containers. The project established a derelict fishing gear management scheme and developing a network of collection points for cigarette butts.

The project dedicated a special attention to the local administrators and technicians of coastal cities, involving them in networking activities related to Plastic Busters CAP topics and actions. A work that the project started within the COMMON project and that capitalized in Plastic Busters CAP.

It is possible to see the final conference at this link