The Central American Commission for Maritime Transport (COCATRAM) held a virtual coordination meeting with the Focal Points of Costa Rica within the framework of the Ocean Litter Program: PRO-SEAS Project, with the aim of advancing the implementation of the actions planned to reduce marine plastic litter originating from maritime activities.
During the meeting, key topics were addressed, including the search for a consultant, the review of the Terms of Reference (ToRs), as well as the definition and coordination of COCATRAM’s role within the project.
Likewise, the responsibilities and technical support provided by the officials of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) responsible for the program were analyzed, highlighting the importance of inter-institutional coordination to achieve the proposed objectives.
The Ocean Litter Program: Reduction of Plastics in the Oceans – PRO-SEAS builds on the success achieved by Costa Rica, Jamaica, Kenya, and Vanuatu under the GloLitter Partnerships project. These countries were selected as transformation hubs due to their leadership and commitment to national and regional initiatives aimed at combating marine plastic litter.
PRO-SEAS was designed to address critical barriers such as the insufficient implementation of policies and regulatory frameworks, the lack of adequate management systems for plastic waste generated at sea, the scarcity of incentives to reduce plastic use in the maritime and fisheries sectors, as well as low levels of knowledge and awareness regarding this issue.
Through this program, efforts are focused on strengthening legal and institutional frameworks, improving management systems and tools, promoting practical opportunities and a circular plastics economy, and generating and sharing knowledge among key stakeholders.