Two years after its establishment, members of the Marine Litter Action Network (MLAN) met again in Birmingham, UK, on May 26 to reflect on what the network has achieved so far, and share knowledge and expertise.

Representatives from 28 organisations, including Project AWARE, attended the event. The delegates discussed topics ranging from financial incentives and behaviour change, how we can tackle litter at sporting events through to beach and underwater clean-ups - maximising take up, impact and litter recycling, data reporting and litter monitoring methods to name but a few.

Since 2014, this Marine Conservation Society led initiative has brought together people and their organisations, from across different sectors, to help tackle the global marine debris crisis. I was, once again, delighted to represent Project AWARE at this special annual workshop to share our newest Dive Against Debris™ initiative - Adopt A Dive Site™, a global initiative urging scuba divers around the globe to engage in ongoing, local protection and monitoring of their local dive sites.

It was also the perfect opportunity to catch up on various initiatives, including the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) of which Project AWARE is an active member, with a group of like-minded conservationists, organisations, and marine debris experts serious about finding long lasting solutions to the complex issue of marine litter.

In 2015 alone, one-third of Dive Against Debris™ surveys across the globe reported ghost gear that amounted to 13% of all items reported. Dive Against Debris™ surveys not only provide an immediate relief to undersea habitats and marine life through ghost gear retrieval, they also provide the detailed information and evidence necessary to advocate for change.

Through participation in the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, Marine Litter Action Network and other partnerships against trash, Project AWARE advocates for long-term solutions to prevent marine debris but we can’t do it without you!

Activate your inner citizen scientist and help us provide, through your Dive Against Debris™ surveys, the quantitative evidence and accurate perspective about marine debris found on the seafloor that decision-makers cannot ignore.‬

Partnerships & collaboration key to solving the #MarineLitter crisis @mcsuk@GGGInitiative@SeasAtRisk@projectawarepic.twitter.com/sv5sVtiFWU

— Project AWARE (@projectaware) May 26, 2016