In an effort to combat marine litter and promote sustainable coastal management, the Plastic Busters CAP project is set to host a workshop for integrating marine litter into local and national planning. This event will take place on 20th September 2023 at the Mouradi Gammarth Hotel in Tunis and is organized by the National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies of Tunisia (INSTM), in partnership with the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE) and the University of Siena (UNISI).

The technical workshop will convene more than 40 influential stakeholders, including policy-makers, decision-makers, advisers representing various governance levels, as well as representatives from NGOs and research institutes. Its primary objective is to foster collaboration and enhance the science-policy-society interface. At the heart of this workshop is a pivotal goal: to identify recommendations for a marine litter management approach that combines Ecosystem-Based Management (EbM) with Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).

The key recommendations arising from this workshop will serve as the cornerstone for the development of the Plastic Busters CAP roadmap, aimed at achieving a litter-free Mediterranean. This roadmap will play a constructive role in reinforcing the implementation of the Barcelona Convention Regional Plan for Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean.

One of the workshop's highlights will be the collective elaboration and signing of a joint commitment by all participants. This commitment signifies a resounding dedication to mainstreaming marine litter into local and national planning, marking a significant step towards a litter-free Mediterranean.

Additionally, the Plastic Busters CAP workshop will be held back-to-back with the Plastic Busters CAP online meeting, organized by LEGAMBIENTE. This online meeting will target the Coastal Cities Network for a litter-free Mediterranean, further strengthening the engagement of local authorities and communities in the fight against marine litter. It ensures that local governance perspectives are effectively incorporated into the technical workshop's discussions, enriching the outcomes.

"In our collective pursuit of a litter-free Mediterranean, this workshop and the subsequent commitments made will be instrumental," says Prof. Maria Cristina Fossi (UNISI), coordinator of the project. "By fostering collaboration among stakeholders at all levels, we are taking a significant stride towards a healthier and more sustainable future for our beloved Mediterranean Sea."

The Plastic Busters CAP workshop for integrating marine litter into local and national planning is organized within the framework of the UfM-labelled ENI CBC Plastic Busters CAP project.