title: Enhancing public awareness and promoting co-responsibility for marine litter in Europe: The challenge of MARLISCO.
abstract: Marine litter is a pervasive and complex societal problem but has no simple solution. Inadequate practices at all levels of production-use-disposal contribute to accumulation of waste on land and at sea. Enhanced societal awareness but also co-responsibility across different sectors and improved interactions between stakeholders are necessary. MARLISCO was a European initiative, which developed and implemented activities across 15 countries. It worked towards raising societal awareness and engagement on marine litter, through a combination of approaches: public exhibitions in over 80 locations; a video competition involving 2100 students; and a legacy of educational and decision-supporting tools. 12 national participatory events designed to facilitate dialogue on solutions brought together 1500 stakeholders and revealed support for cross-cutting, preventive measures. Evaluation during implementation shows that these activities are effective in improving individuals' perceptions about the problem but also commitment in being part of the solution. This paper summarises MARLISCO's approach and highlights a selection of outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Coastal & Marine Union (EUCC), P.O. Box 11232, 2301 EE Leiden, The Netherlands. Electronic address: j.veiga@eucc.net.
authors.forename: Joana M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Veiga
authors.affiliation: Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE), 12, Kyrristou Str., 105 56 Athens, Greece. Electronic address: vlachogianni@mio-ecsde.org.
authors.forename: Thomais
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vlachogianni
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: sabine.pahl@plymouth.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pahl
authors.affiliation: School of Marine Science and Engineering, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: r.c.thompson@plymouth.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: MaREI Centre, Environmental Research Institute, Beaufort Building, University College Cork, Haulbowline Road, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: k.kopke@ucc.ie.
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kopke
authors.affiliation: MaREI Centre, Environmental Research Institute, Beaufort Building, University College Cork, Haulbowline Road, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork, Ireland; School of Natural Sciences (Zoology), Martin Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland. Electronic address: tom.doyle@nuigalway.ie.
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: bonny.hartley@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bonny L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Hartley
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Pakefield Road, NR33 0HT Lowestoft, United Kingdom. Electronic address: thomas.maes@cefas.co.uk.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.affiliation: ISOTECH Ltd Environmental Research and Consultancy, 1 Kalliopis Str. & Larnakos Ave., Apt. 401, 2102 Aglantzia, Nicosia, Cyprus. Electronic address: project@isotech.com.cy.
authors.forename: Demetra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Orthodoxou
authors.affiliation: ISOTECH Ltd Environmental Research and Consultancy, 1 Kalliopis Str. & Larnakos Ave., Apt. 401, 2102 Aglantzia, Nicosia, Cyprus. Electronic address: xenia@isotech.com.cy.
authors.forename: Xenia I
authors.initials: XI
authors.lastname: Loizidou
authors.affiliation: Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE), 12, Kyrristou Str., 105 56 Athens, Greece. Electronic address: alampei@mio-ecsde.org.
authors.forename: Iro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alampei
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D003256:Community Participation; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: Awareness raising; MSFD; Marine litter; Stakeholder engagement; Waste management