Existing legislative structures include an adopted national legal framework in the form of the National Merchant Shipping Act, 1998, and the ongoing development of a legal framework for the implementation of The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78).  Existing supporting legislation such as the National Fisheries Act, 2018 includes provisions to prevent and/or reduce marine plastic litter by making it an offense to abandon decaying or dying fish in any net or other such equipment onshore, in-water, and on the beach/foreshore. The National Fisheries Act also indirectly makes provisions for the prevention/reduction of abandoned lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). It requires marking all fishing gear with the registration number of the registered fishing boat by which it is being used or upon which it is carried, thereby enabling identification of the person/s in breach. 

Global Partnership
on Plastic Pollution
and Marine Litter

Action Plan

Discussion

Global Partnershipon Plastic Pollutionand Marine Litter

Action Plan

Discussion

Global Partnership
on Plastic Pollution
and Marine Litter