Marine Waste/Resource Management Project
Clean Nova Scotia’s Marine Waste/Resource Management Project (MWRM) has currently completed its initiation Phase of a 2 year project to coordinate the logistical issues associated with marine waste management at 21 harbours within all seven waste/resource management regions in Nova Scotia. The project is in collaboration with 7 solid waste-resource management regional education staff to correlate MWMC goals with existing regional waste / resource management programs, also with DFO -Small Craft Harbour Regional Managers and with participating Harbour Authorities / Managers.
This project promotes education relative to the environmental damage caused by waste at sea associated with the fishing industry. Rope and nets used in commercial fisheries of the Maritimes Region is mostly discarded on land but a significant portion is discarded at sea with harmful consequences to the marine environment. Pieces of plastic waste, especially clear plastic wrap and straps used for bait packaging, cause significant mortality through ingestion and entanglement in species such as sea-birds, sea-turtles, seals and dolphins.
This project educates and raises fishermen’s awareness of the consequences of improper marine waste management, while highlighting how marine pollution negatively impacts the fisheries. The project has also uncovered many barriers to proper marine waste / resource management.
The next phase of the project will present realistic solutions to overcome waste resource management barriers and foster awareness and compliance with environmental regulations through community capacity building and environmental stewardship in support of protecting the marine environment. This activity will result in pro-environmental behaviour change. As such, improper disposal and management of marine waste will decrease, resulting in a healthier marine environment within the targeted communities.
Contact
For more information about this initiative, please contact Anna McCarron, Clean Nova Scotia's Water Conservation Programs Coordinator:
Phone. (902) 420-7939
Fax. (902) 424-5334
Email: amccarron@clean.ns.ca