both the short and long-term implications of continuing to use and dispose of plastic and other materials in their current form, and at the current rate. Increasing understanding of potential marine food chain and human health impacts from microplastic and contaminants could be a major driver of change in consumer behaviour. Actions for Objective 6. Priority/ Action Outcome Output Responsibility timeframe Australian Government social channels (Threatened Species Commissioner, Commonwealth Marine Reserves, Department of the Environment and Energy, NESP, AMSA) to engage the Department of public on marine debris Community better the Environment impact and pollution issues engaged on the and Energy through for example: wildlife impacts of promotion of marine consumer products debris problems NESP to drive choices that identified through source limit marine debris 6.01 Raise the profile of reduction planning High priority, — impacts marine debris impacts on Through existing such as helium balloons throughout the life listed threatened marine NGOs, released at celebrations of the TAP species. encourage Greater levels of outcomes of research community personal into impacts of marine engagement on responsibility in debris on marine species marine debris, relation to (including any potential litter and waste consumption and health impacts management management arising from research issues into marine microplastic and associated chemical contamination) promotion of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts for marine species impacted by marine debris Actions for Objective 6 (Increase public understanding of the causes and impacts of marine debris, including microplastic and hazardous chemical contaminants, in order to bring about behaviour change). Priority/ Action Outcome Output Responsibility timeframe Reinvigorated, nationally consistent communication aimed Department of the at preventing litter and improved Environment and recycling effort (based around Energy, psychological insights into littering 6.02 Improve public Better awareness of Ongoing for state and territory behaviour e.g. Spehr and Curnow communication in consumer impacts on the life of the governments e.g. (2015)) relation to consumer the marine TAP Keep Australia waste and litter environment Beautiful / Clean-up Existing litter campaigns are Australia style refocused on: programs microplastic that —emphasising this material can’t be removed
both the short and long-term implications of continuing to use and dispose of plastic and other materials in their current form, and at the current rate. Increasing understanding of potential marine food chain and human health impacts from microplastic and contaminants could be a major driver of change in consumer behaviour. Actions for Objective 6. Action Priority/ timeframe Outcome Output Responsibility 6.01 Raise the profile of marine debris impacts on listed threatened marine species. High priority, throughout the life of the TAP Community better engaged on the wildlife impacts of consumer products to drive choices that limit marine debris impacts Greater levels of personal responsibility in relation to consumption and management Australian Government social channels (Threatened Species Commissioner, Commonwealth Marine Reserves, Department of the Environment and Energy, NESP, AMSA) to engage the public on marine debris impact and pollution issues through for example: promotion of marine debris problems identified through source reduction planning — such as helium balloons released at celebrations outcomes of research into impacts of marine debris on marine species (including any potential health impacts arising from research into marine microplastic and associated chemical contamination) promotion of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts for marine species impacted by marine debris Department of the Environment and Energy NESP Through existing NGOs, encourage community engagement on marine debris, litter and waste management issues Actions for Objective 6 (Increase public understanding of the causes and impacts of marine debris, including microplastic and hazardous chemical contaminants, in order to bring about behaviour change). Action Priority/ timeframe Outcome Output Responsibility 6.02 Improve public communication in relation to consumer waste and litter Ongoing for the life of the TAP Better awareness of consumer impacts on the marine environment Reinvigorated, nationally consistent communication aimed at preventing litter and improved recycling effort (based around psychological insights into littering behaviour e.g. Spehr and Curnow (2015)) Existing litter campaigns are refocused on: microplastic —emphasising that this material can’t be removed Department of the Environment and Energy, state and territory governments e.g. Keep Australia Beautiful / Clean-up Australia style programs
draft-tap-marine-debris-2017.docx