East Asia is considered an ecologically important region, being home to one-third of the planet's coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. But it is also a hotspot for marine pollution including plastics. The Philippines is considered as one of the top five contributors to marine plastic pollution globally, while Timor-Leste is facing challenges in managing its wastes and plastics due to poor infrastracture and challenging geography.


The "Reducing Marine Plastics in the East Asian Seas Region" or the Marine Plastics Project is a six-year initiative between Partnership in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asian and the Republic of Korea through the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. It aims to reduce marine plastics in 10 local sites in the Philippines (6) and Timor-Leste (4) through improved governance and management, demonstration of best practices and innovative solutions, marine litter monitoring, and increasing capacity and awareness of the partner communities.


The Project targets ocean-bound plastics: within 50-kilometers from the shoreline, river inflow, and fishing-related plastics.

Project Information

Project Title:

MOF/PEMSEA Reducing Marine Plastics in the East Asian Region

Budget:

Approximately USD 9,000,000 (KRW 12 billion)

Participating countries:

Philippines and Timor-Leste

Funding Agency:

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Republic of Korea

Implementing Agency:

PEMSEA

Supporting Agencies:

KOEM, PNLG, and other PEMSEA partners

Download Project Brief
Marine Plastics Project Sites

The Marine Plastics Project aims to reduce marine plastics in 10 local sites in the Philippines and Timor-Leste through improved governance and management of marine plastics at the local government, demonstration of innovation and technology on marine plastics promoting circular economy, conduct of marine litter monitoring, and increased awareness and capacity of partner communities.


The Project targets ocean-bound plastics: within 50-kilometer from the shoreline, river inflow, and fishing-related plastics.


In the Philippines, the Marine Plastic Project is being implemented in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau and the Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Services, while in Timor-Leste, it is being implemented with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, Ministry of Tourism and Environment, and Ministry of State Administration.

Project Goal

The Marine Plastics Project aims to reduce marine plastics in 10 local sites in the Philippines and Timor-Leste through improved governance and management of marine plastics at the local government, demonstration of innovation and technology on marine plastics promoting circular economy, conduct of marine litter monitoring, and increased awareness and capacity of partner communities.

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Outcome 1.1: Improved understanding in marine plastic pollution
Conduct of baseline assessment on marine plastics occurrence and management in 10 sites

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Outcome 1.2: 10-year marine plastics management strategies and action plans formulated, adopted and initiated

  • Management strategy and action plan developed
  • Management strategies and action plans endorsed by the local governments for adoption and implementation
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Outcome 2.1: Best practices and innovative solutions for reducing marine plastics and improved management identified and demonstrated

  • Identify best practices and innovative solutions
  • Feasibility study on pilot projects
  • Implementation of pilot projects
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Outcome 2.2: Recycling and upcycling businesses for value-added products from marine plastics promoted and nurtured

  • Identify local business climate and potential for marine plastics recycling and upcycling
  • Implement a Small Grant Program (SGP)
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Outcome 3.2: Beach monitoring on marine plastics and litter conducted at 10 sites in collaboration local partners

  • Site selection
  • Data card development
  • Training of Trainers
  • Quarterly conduct of beach monitoring
  • Citizen science
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Outcome 3.2: Beach monitoring results showcase trends of marine plastics and litter occurrence

  • Establish data center for marine plastics and litter monitoring
  • Data results analyzed and published
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Outcome 4.1: Enhanced capacity and awareness on marine plastics and litter management

  • Participation in knowledge exchange, study visit, internship, and regional workshops
  • Awareness drive and regular coastal clean-ups
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Outcome 4.2: Improved communication and participation among the countries, partners and stakeholders

  • Implement Marine Environment Protector Program
  • Development and publication of knowledge products and web platform
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