Maldives announces campaign to intercept ocean plastic

The announcement was made Monday at the United Nations Oceans Conference in New York. Delivering a statement on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States, presently chaired by the Maldives, Dr Shainee called marine pollution from plastics and microplastic an “issue of utmost urgency” for small island states as it affects marine biodiversity, food security and crucial fishing and tourism industries.

“I am proud to announce that our fisheries industry, consisting over 1,250 pole-and-line, handline and longline fishing vessels and processors will move one step ahead to reduce and phase out use of plastics, and intercept ocean plastics in our one-million square kilometre wide EEZ,” he said.

“The plastics intercepted by fishermen and collected at designated collection points will be handed over to Parley for the Oceans, who Maldives has been closely working with to recycle and reuse plastic wastes. We urge other nations to join hands to achieve environmental sustainability globally.”