on the types, quantities, and distribution of plastic materials 

 returned to port be collected and provided to the plastics 

 industry to encourage consideration of recycling alternatives. 

 The Working Group also recommended that new ships be designed to 

 accommodate at-sea management strategies for ship-generated 

 garbage, and that studies be undertaken to determine air 

 emissions from low technology burning. Given the return of ship- 

 generated garbage to shore for disposal, the Working Group also 

 recognized that, in many areas, satisfactory resolution of the 

 issue will be linked to resolving terrestrial waste disposal 

 problems. 



The Working Group on Law and Policy also concluded that 

 solutions to marine debris problems should be developed and 

 implemented in concert with efforts to address broader solid 

 waste management issues and that the key to compliance with the 

 provisions of Annex V will be the availability of port reception 

 facilities to off-load garbage. The most pressing needs 

 identified were: (1) expanding participation in relevant 

 international agreements, particularly MARPOL Annex V; 

 (2) assuring that adequate port reception facilities are 

 available at all ports and harbors to receive ship-generated 

 garage; and (3) adopting national policies and programs, such as 

 recycling and innovative packaging, to reduce quantities of 

 generated solid waste. 



Among other things, the Working Group recommended that 

 parties to MARPOL consider expanding advice in the International 

 Maritime Organization's Guidelines on implementing Annex V as 

 they relate to port reception facilities (see below) . It also 

 recommended that the International Maritime Organization and 

 parties to MARPOL Annex V develop incentives to encourage vessel 

 owners and operators to comply with garbage disposal regulations 

 and that vessel owners and operators be encouraged to report 

 ports and harbors that do not have required port reception 

 facilities. 



The Working Group on Education assembled and reviewed a 

 comprehensive list of education materials on the marine debris 

 issue. It concluded that the greatest need was to improve 

 distribution of those materials to appropriate groups. In this 

 regard, the Working Group identified five broad target audiences: 

 the general public; the media; teachers and educators; school 

 children; and marine user groups. To reach commercial fishermen 

 and recreational boaters, the Group suggested including education 

 material in government mailings for fishing licenses or boat 

 registrations . 



130 



