See Global action.

UNEP Global programme of action for the protection of the marine environment from land-based activities (UNEP GPA). ••>

International Coral Reef Initiative and other organizations and networks on the threats to coral reefs, including the effects of litter/debris.

Regional reports on the state of the marine and coastal environment

UNEP: Global Environment Outlook 3 (GEO3). Coastal and marine areas.

University of Rhode Island: Large Marine Ecosystems (LME): The region includes Southeast US Continental Shelf, Northeast US Continental Shelf, Scotian Shelf, and New Foundland – Labrador Shelf.

Other publications on marine and coastal environment, including marine litter

Article in Marine Pollution Bulletin on marine litter/marine debris in New Jersey, U.S.: 1998.

Private sector and NGOs actors and initiatives

See national (Bermuda, Canada, the U.S.) NGO and other initiatives !

Ocean Concervancy: International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). ••>

UNEP and Clean up Australia: Clean up the World! ••>

Joint Canda - U.S. regional action

Canada-U.S. Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment. Fosters cooperative actions within the Gulf of Maine watershed to preserve the common heritage and and promote sustainable resource use.

National action: Bermuda and Canada

Bermuda

Keep Bermuda Beautiful: Marine clean-up

Canada

Environment Canada: Marine Debris in Canada.

Environment Canada: National Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities.

Fisheries and Oceans, Canada's Ocean Strategy, Canada: Beach Sweeps. The goals of the Beach Sweeps are to improve coastal environments; inform the public about the extent and impact of marine debris; collect data for future studies; encourage people to behave in a more environmentally-friendly manner; and help individuals and groups organize a safe, educational and fun activity.

Pitch-In-Canada (litter control, recycling etc).

Clean Nova Scotia: Great Nova Scotia Pick me up!

National

U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Marine Debris Programme.

U.S. EPA: Beachwatch Programme.

U.S. Coast Guard: Marine Debris Garbage dumping restrictions in U.S. waters, and additional info on marine debris.

U.S. National Marine Debris Monitoring Program. U.S. EPA and Ocean Conservancy.

Ocean Conservancy; International Coastal Cleanup: Annual U.S. Coastal Cleanup and U.S. Co-ordinators

Marine Environment Education Foundation: National Clean Boating Campaign

American Fisheries Society: Resources Policy Handbook, Chapter on marine plastic debris.

Maine

Maine Coastal Program: Coastweek (including Coastal Cleanup).Motto: Make every day a coastal cleanup ...

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management: CoastSweep cleanups

New York

Hudson River Harbor Estuary Program. A National Estuary Program authorized in 1987 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A multi-year effort to develop and implement a plan to protect, conserve, and restore the estuary. Participants in the program include representatives from local, state, and federal environmental agencies, scientists, citizens, business interests, environmentalists, and others. A number of reports on floatable debris has been produced and can be ordered from Hudson River Foundation.

New Jersey

Clean Ocean Action: Beach Sweeps

Virginia

Clean Virginia Waterways

Hampton Clean City Commission: Litter Awareness Committee

South Carolina

South Carolina Sea Grant: Beach Sweep/River Sweep

Florida

Department of Environmental Protection: Florida Clean Marina Program

Keep Florida Beautiful

Florida Coastal Cleanup

Clean-up on the shores of Bermuda as part of the annual clean-ups organized by Keep Bermuda Beautiful, KBB.

Photo: ©KBB