A CONCERTED bid to tackle marine litter is expected amid fears that failing to enforce the law is allowing people and com-panies to escape punishment for polluting Scots seas, costing the country £17 million a year.
Government officials have called for a marine litter champion to be brought in to tackle the issue.
The appointment would head a department that would police a plethora of laws relating to the dumping of waste at sea.
Experts have suggested patrols should also be set up and industry made to pay a share of the cost if environmental targets are to be reached.
Difficulties in identifying who is responsible for marine litter also cause problems and it is suggested an opt-in scheme by governments and industry should help pay for an international clear-up of the seas.
The Herald revealed this month a report for Marine Scotland found rubbish flushed and dumped in the sea costs Scotland's fishing and tourism sectors alone at least £17m a year.
It also found litter and plastics were the biggest threat to the environmental and the coastal and maritime economy, which is worth at least £2.2 billion a year and supports 50,000 jobs, not including the oil industry.
Undersea and coastal wildlife tourism, sailing and sea angling are among the leisure activities being hit by litter including plastic bags, food containers, fishing gear and debris from ships.
Anne Saunders, Scottish projects officer for the Marine Conservation Society, said: "There are many laws already in place to prevent and punish littering on land and at sea.
"However many of these laws are simply not enforced.
"If more money was spent on enforcement, there would be a reduction in the volume of litter entering our seas, and a reduction in the money that has to be spent on cleaning up litter and the problems it causes.
"There needs to be more inspections and monitoring of business practices and procedures, many more patrol boats watching for vessels dumping at sea, and more environmental wardens handing out fines for dropping litter."
Government documents call for a monitoring programme comparable with those throughout Europe.
The report said the lack of improvement in levels of marine litter could scupper green targets including reducing waste significantly by 2020.
The report calls for funding to implement the strategy.
It suggests the Government should: "Identify a lead agency to progress the fight on marine litter at the Scottish level, and provide a point of focus for co-ordination on devolved issues and with the global movement.
"A marine litter strategy should implement a co-ordinated approach among Scottish Government departments, directorates, agencies and non-governmental organisations."
The report says the plan should lead the way in minimising maritime litter, "both in Europe and internationally".
It adds those responsible should "work with signatory countries to ensure the statutory enforcement of waste reduction measures".
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