Guidance for the Monitoring of Marine Litter

The MSFD Technical Subgroup on Marine Litter was tasked to deliver guidance so that European Member States could initiate programmes for monitoring of Descriptor 10 of the MSFD. The present document provides the recommendations and information needed to commence the monitoring required for marine litter, including methodological protocols and categories of items to be used for the assessment of litter on the Beach, Water Column, Seafloor and Biota, including a special section on Microparticles. The MSFD Technical Subgroup on Marine Litter developed a monitoring guidance document in order to facilitate the preparation of monitoring programs for Descriptor 10 of the MSFD by European Member States. The document provides recommendations and information for commencing the monitoring required for marine litter, including methodological harmonization and categories of items to be used for the assessment of litter on the Beach, Water Column, Seafloor and Biota, including a special section on Microparticles.
This guidance is being widely used, also within Regional Sea Conventions and provides the basis for a harmonised monitoring, providing comparable results, across Europe and beyond.