Editorial: Microplastics in Oceans

Since the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) was adopted in 2008, EU member states must develop activities to achieve ‘‘good environmental status’’ (GES) in the European marine environment by the year 2020 (established in the Commission Decision 2010/477/EU of the 1st of September 2010). As well as many other tasks such as the conservation of biodiversity and the fight against oil pollution, the problem of marine litter, particularly plastics, has been recognized at the European level by a specific task group. Although monitoring programs of plastic pollution have long been implemented, and impacts on fish and seabirds have been reported, for example those induced by swallowing or entanglement in plastic items or ropes, more research is needed to support appropriate activities against other negative impacts of plastics on marine ecosystems.

ZARFL Christiane;  FLEET David;  FRIES Elke;  GALGANI Francois;  GERDTS Gunnar;  HANKE Georg;  MATTHIES Michael; 

2011-07-28

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

JRC64848

0025-326X,   

www.elsevier.com/locate/marpolbul,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC64848,   

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.02.040,