Reports

This report provides an examines the ways in which plastics are used throughout the daily fin fish operations (fin fish) at Moana FisheriesNew Zealand. It explores current global, regional and national policies, as well as current initiatives that are seeking to minimise marine plastic pollution, and how these may be implemented in this context. This study also acknowledges the significant role that industry can play to improve management of plastics by working towards the top of the Zero Waste Hierarchy (redesign/rethink/reduce and reuse).

This study aims to seek ways to prevent marine plastic pollution leakage in New Zealand’s commercial fin fishing industry supply chains. Drawing on a case study approach, this research investigates how sea and land-based plastic material flows are perceived by those working for commercial fishing company Moana NZ. It considers current global, regional and national policies, as well as current initiatives that seek to minimise marine plastic pollution and considers the potential for their implementation in this context. This study also acknowledges the significant role that industry can play in implementing best practice guided by the top of the zero waste hierarchy.

Using a gap analysis, this study aims to identify the current limitations in national plastic pollution policy for preventing plastic pollution. It also explores the potential to implement best practice for the reduction of plastic pollution and the promotion of a safe circular plastics economy.

Plastics comprise sixty to eighty percent of all marine litter globally, with millions of metric tonnes originating from land-based sources every year (Borrelle et al., 2020; PEMSEA, 2020). An estimated 11% of plastic waste generated globally are mismanaged and enter freshwater and marine environments, equating to 86,740 metric tonnes (Mt) every day (Borrelle et al., 2020). If current production and waste management trends continue, roughly 12,000 Mt of plastic waste will be in landfills or in the natural environment by 2050 (Geyer, Jambeck & Law, 2017, p. e1700782). Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Timor-Leste are disproportionately impacted. Timor-Leste is currently experiencing disastrous impacts to marine ecosystems, health related problems and destruction of biodiversity due to the alarming increase of land- and marine-based plastic pollution. In Timor-Leste, approximately thirteen percent of the waste stream is made up of plastic. The Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) estimated that approximately 20.7Mt of plastic waste was released in the waters around Timor-Leste in 2010, with the amount expected to rise to 64.2Mt by 2025 (PRIF, 2018). Mismanaged plastic waste because of poor waste infrastructure and failed landfills is transported by wind, waste-water outfalls, and inland rivers, much of which eventually enters waterways, land and soil, and the marine environment (PRIF, 2018). Consequently, the government committed to eliminating plastics from the natural environment by 2023 through the ambitious ‘Zero Plastic Timor-Leste’ campaign. It was a goal in name only, as it is not close to being achieved as of 2023. This report aims to provide insight into Timor-Leste's capacity to implement plastic pollution reduction measures by providing a gap analysis of its current legislation, plans and policies. The research finds significant gaps in all analytical categories. Most alarming are the gaps that exist under the waste prevention, microplastics, and protection of human health themes. Findings suggest that the current institutional framework cannot protect human and environmental health, including human rights and biological diversity. The protection of Timor-Leste’s environment through the elimination of the discharges of plastics into the environment will only be possible through extensive amendments to legislation and policy frameworks that prioritise prevention through strict import rules, and supported by an effective international global treaty on plastic pollution that mandates that mandates core obligations, control measures, and impPlastics comprise sixty to eighty percent of all marine litter globally, with millions of metric tonnes originating from land-based sources every year (Borrelle et al., 2020; PEMSEA, 2020). An estimated 11% of plastic waste generated globally are mismanaged and enter freshwater and marine environments, equating to 86,740 metric tonnes (Mt) every day (Borrelle et al., 2020). If current production and waste management trends continue, roughly 12,000 Mt of plastic waste will be in landfills or in the natural environment by 2050 (Geyer, Jambeck & Law, 2017, p. e1700782). Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Timor-Leste are disproportionately impacted. Timor-Leste is currently experiencing disastrous impacts to marine ecosystems, health related problems and destruction of biodiversity due to the alarming increase of land- and marine-based plastic pollution. In Timor-Leste, approximately thirteen percent of the waste stream is made up of plastic. The Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) estimated that approximately 20.7Mt of plastic waste was released in the waters around Timor-Leste in 2010, with the amount expected to rise to 64.2Mt by 2025 (PRIF, 2018). Mismanaged plastic waste because of poor waste infrastructure and failed landfills is transported by wind, waste-water outfalls, and inland rivers, much of which eventually enters waterways, land and soil, and the marine environment (PRIF, 2018). Consequently, the government committed to eliminating plastics from the natural environment by 2023 through the ambitious ‘Zero Plastic Timor-Leste’ campaign. It was a goal in name only, as it is not close to being achieved as of 2023. This report aims to provide insight into Timor-Leste's capacity to implement plastic pollution reduction measures by providing a gap analysis of its current legislation, plans and policies. The research finds significant gaps in all analytical categories. Most alarming are the gaps that exist under the waste prevention, microplastics, and protection of human health themes. Findings suggest that the current institutional framework cannot protect human and environmental health, including human rights and biological diversity. The protection of Timor-Leste’s environment through the elimination of the discharges of plastics into the environment will only be possible through extensive amendments to legislation and policy frameworks that prioritise prevention through strict import rules, and supported by an effective international global treaty on plastic pollution that mandates that mandates core obligations, control measures, and impPlastics comprise sixty to eighty percent of all marine litter globally, with millions of metric tonnes originating from land-based sources every year (Borrelle et al., 2020; PEMSEA, 2020). An estimated 11% of plastic waste generated globally are mismanaged and enter freshwater and marine environments, equating to 86,740 metric tonnes (Mt) every day (Borrelle et al., 2020). If current production and waste management trends continue, roughly 12,000 Mt of plastic waste will be in landfills or in the natural environment by 2050 (Geyer, Jambeck & Law, 2017, p. e1700782). Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Timor-Leste are disproportionately impacted. Timor-Leste is currently experiencing disastrous impacts to marine ecosystems, health related problems and destruction of biodiversity due to the alarming increase of land- and marine-based plastic pollution. In Timor-Leste, approximately thirteen percent of the waste stream is made up of plastic. The Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) estimated that approximately 20.7Mt of plastic waste was released in the waters around Timor-Leste in 2010, with the amount expected to rise to 64.2Mt by 2025 (PRIF, 2018). Mismanaged plastic waste because of poor waste infrastructure and failed landfills is transported by wind, waste-water outfalls, and inland rivers, much of which eventually enters waterways, land and soil, and the marine environment (PRIF, 2018). Consequently, the government committed to eliminating plastics from the natural environment by 2023 through the ambitious ‘Zero Plastic Timor-Leste’ campaign. It was a goal in name only, as it is not close to being achieved as of 2023. This report aims to provide insight into Timor-Leste's capacity to implement plastic pollution reduction measures by providing a gap analysis of its current legislation, plans and policies. The research finds significant gaps in all analytical categories. Most alarming are the gaps that exist under the waste prevention, microplastics, and protection of human health themes. Findings suggest that the current institutional framework cannot protect human and environmental health, including human rights and biological diversity. The protection of Timor-Leste’s environment through the elimination of the discharges of plastics into the environment will only be possible through extensive amendments to legislation and policy frameworks that prioritise prevention through strict import rules, and supported by an effective international global treaty on plastic pollution that mandates that mandates core obligations, control measures, and implementation measures for the elimination of plastic pollution at all stages of the plastics life cycle.

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