European coastline macro litter trends 2015 - 2021 : methodology development and trend results for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) requires that Good Environmental Status (GES) be achieved for the European marine environment, including in respect of marine litter, as per MSFD Descriptor 10. Based on a commonly agreed methodology, through Guidance on the Monitoring of Marine Litter since 2013, EU Member States have been providing data on macro litter abundances on selected EU beaches to the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). Following the establishment of a baseline period, 2015-2016, and further ongoing data collection, data were analysed and normalised by the MSFD Technical Group on Marine Litter (TG ML). The methodology for step-trend assessment was then discussed, agreed upon and applied to the dataset from 2015 to 2021. The results show that a - 29 % trend in coastline macro litter total abundance has been achieved at the EU level, that is, in 2020-2021, there was about one-third less litter on EU coastlines than in 2015-2016, based on data from 253 selected monitored beaches after data preparation and treatment. Single-use plastic was found to have a decreased by 40 % between 2015-2016 and 2020-2021, fisheries-related items decreased by 20 % and plastic bags reduced by 20 %. Despite the encouraging trends showing the positive impacts of mitigation measures through EU legislation, regional and national efforts, and efforts by the public, the abundance of litter in many European areas remains high and demands the implementation of additional effective measures. This report provides information on the methodology for analysing coastline litter trends. The results show progress towards GES, enabling the setting of intermediate quantitative targets and informing on progress towards the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan's Target 5 on coastline litter.