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The OceanLitter Programme is an IMO global initiative to prevent and reduce marine litter, in particular marine plastic litter (MPL), within the maritime transport and fisheries sectors executed in collaboration with FAO. Projects under the OceanLitter Programme support developing countries to reduce, monitor, and prevent marine plastic litter from all types of ships, including fishing vessels. Within the existing policy and regulatory frameworks and strategically linking with other on-going global and regional initiatives related to marine plastic litter (MPL), the Programme aims to:

• Equip partner countries with knowledge and tools to initiate legal, policy and institutional reforms in shipping and fisheries sectors to address the problems of marine plastic litter in line with international policies and regulations.
• Facilitate direct engagement of the private sector in finding alternatives to the use of plastics and viable solutions for sound management of plastic waste.
• Promote women engagement in tackling marine plastic litter.
• Facilitate regional and global partnerships between countries and organizations to have a greater impact.

The Programme aims to develop mechanisms for sustainability, and enhance regional cooperation to support transition of maritime transport and fisheries sectors towards a low plastics future. It works to achieve its objectives through the projects by focusing on a number of areas identified in the IMO Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships, and in complementary actions as identified by FAO, including supporting the provisions of FAO Voluntary Guidelines for the Marking of Fishing Gear.

This major Programme will also spur global efforts to demonstrate and test best practices to deal with MPL, and enhance global knowledge management and information sharing to support the objectives.

The Programme partnerships are three-tiered involving global, regional and country level partners; representing government, industry and non-governmental organizations.Private sector participation is foreseen through a Global Industry Alliance (GIA) with partners from major maritime and fisheries companies. See the IMO Circular Letter 4877/Rev.1 for the call for expression of interest to join OceanLitter GIA: Circular Letter No.4877-Rev.1 - Call For Expressions Of Interest To Join The Imo Oceanlitter ProgrammeGlobal Industry Alli... (Secretariat).pdf.

OceanLitter projects