Conference Workshop on Riverine Litter

One of the main pathways for litter to enter the marine environment is through rivers. However, there is still limited information on the routes, sources, and transport mechanisms of litter within rivers, as well as insufficient monitoring, prevention, and mitigation methods.

In this context, ULusófona University hosts the Workshop on Riverine Litter in Cascais on March 25, a joint (hybrid) event organized by the Interreg Atlantic Area Project “Free LitterAT”, in close collaboration with the four Regional Sea Conventions (RSCs): Northeast Atlantic (OSPAR), Mediterranean (UNEP-MAP), Baltic Sea (HELCOM), and Black Sea (Bucharest Convention).

The RSCs play a key role as international instruments to protect the marine and coastal environment, preserve biodiversity, and prevent pollution in specific geographic areas. The Free LitterAT Project, involving 23 organizations from Portugal, Spain, France, and Ireland, aims to protect biodiversity by implementing innovative approaches to prevent and reduce marine litter, contributing to identifying sources and hotspots, enhancing monitoring, and raising awareness. In this event, the RSCs and Free LitterAT join forces to share the latest advances in riverine litter monitoring and assessment.

Program

09:00 | Registration & Coffee

09:40 | Opening

Speakers:

• Hilda de Pablo | Professor at ULusófona University and Researcher at the FreeLitterAT Project;
• Cristina Guerra | Director of the Faculty of Engineering, ULusófona University
• More confirmations soon

10:05 | Session 1

Speakers:

• Marisa Fernández | CETMAR Project Coordinator: Presentation of the FreeLitterAT Project
• João Monteiro | ARDITTI, MARE - Madeira: FreeLitterAT: advances in marine litter monitoring

10:20 | Regional and International Frameworks to Address Marine Litter Inputs in Rivers

Speakers:

• Christos Ioakeimidis | QSR Program Manager, UNEP/MAP, Secretary of the Barcelona Convention;
• Iryna Mararenko | PMA, Permanent Secretary of the Black Sea Commission, Bucharest Convention
• Marta Ruiz | Professional Associate Secretary of the Baltic Marine Ecosystem Protection Commission, Helsinki Commission - HELCOM
• Jennifer Godwin | Coordination Team of the OSPAR Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter | OSPAR Commission
• Luís Ruiz | Joint Research Centre of the European Commission
• Presentation by the International Riverine Commission (TBC)

11:30 | Session 3

Speakers:

• Gary Hanko | Managing Director, Hungarian Association of Environmental Companies, Plastic Cup Society
• Tim van Emmerik | Associate Professor, Hydrological Sensing, Wageningen University
• Roberto Crosti | ISRPA Italy

12:30 - 13:45 | Lunch

14:00 | Progress in Efforts for Monitoring Riverine Marine Litter

Speakers:

• Camille Lacroix | Cedre
• Paul Vriend | Rijkswaterstaat
• Maiju Lehtiniemi | Skye
• Tiia Moller-Raid | University of Tartu
• Mr. Noureddine Zaaboub | National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies
• Mr. Hassan Ouahidi | National Laboratory for Pollution Studies and Monitoring

15:30 | Discussion Topic I: Steps for Improved Riverine Litter Source Identification and Progress on Measures to Address Riverine Litter

16:00 | Discussion Topic II: Reflection on the Conclusions of the Valencia Workshop 2024: How Far Have We Come, What Remains to Be Considered?

16:15 | Coffee Break

16:45 | Discussion Topic III: What is the Role of Riverine Commissions? What Do They Need from the Marine Litter Community for Better Support in Engaging with This Topic?

17:00 | Discussion Topic I: Next Steps to Address Riverine Litter

17:30 - 17:45 | Closing