Study on Land-Sourced Litter (LSL) in the marine environment

The Oeko-Institut was commissioned to study existing literature, focusing its attention on three European seas, i.e. the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. All the available studies into land-sourced litter, i.e. litter which gets into the three seas from land, was collected and analysed. In order to develop a scientifically founded basis for taking specific measures to avoid further dumping, this particular factor was to be examined closely. This report has consciously not considered other factors, such as ecological impact, the part that legislation has to play and the significance of education and behaviour.