Results of International Workshop on Marine Debris Data Harmonization

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From August 29 to 31, 2023, International Workshop on Marine Debris Data Harmonization took place at the PACIFICO Yokohama.
Hosted by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan, with organizational support from the Integrated Marine Debris Observing System (IMDOS) with the goal of enhancing the level of data, including associated metadata identification to support global data harmonization for selected key marine debris indicators that will underpin the successful mitigation of plastic pollution.
The workshop was co-sponsored by MOE Japan and EU’s H2020 EuroSea, EU4OceanObs implemented by Mercator Ocean International and H2020 EUROqCHARM project.

1.Background

The overall goal of this international technical workshop is to enhance the level of data, including associated metadata identification to support global data harmonization for selected key marine debris indicators that will underpin the successful mitigation of plastic pollution. The workshop will present the state of the art when it comes to the harmonization of monitoring methods and data synthesis efforts but will predominantly include working/discussion sessions in plenary and dedicated breakout groups.
The 3-day workshop was taken place at the PACIFICO Yokohama Convention Center in Yokohama, Japan, hosted by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan, with organizational support from the Integrated Marine Debris Observing System (IMDOS). The event brings together about 50 invited participants, including international experts in marine debris data management, monitoring, and harmonization of methods.
The workshop is co-sponsored by MOE Japan and EU’s H2020 EuroSea, EU4OceanObs implemented by Mercator Ocean International, and H2020 EUROqCHARM projects.

2.Outcomes

A coordinated network (community of practice) of ocean surface microplastic data providers initiated under the auspices of GOOS and IMDOS, with an agreement to adhere to agreed common sampling protocol and metadata and data requirements.
Draft metadata and a data requirements sheet based on the data sheet provided by MOE Japan, the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet), and NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), and any other potential large data integrators.
Recommendations for standardized metadata and data requirements for the UNEP Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) Digital Platform data matrix.
Roadmap towards a federated data management system for ocean surface microplastics and selected global-scale marine debris indicators.

3.Date and Venue

Date:August 29-31, 2023
Venue:Yokohama, Japan (PACIFICO Yokohama)

4.Host and Sponsors

Host: Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan
Organization support: Integrated Marine Debris Observing System
Sponsors : EU H2020 EuroSea project, EU4OceanObs project

5.Summary of each session

Information sharing and discussion took place during the following six sessions to enhance the level of data, including associated metadata identification to support global data harmonization for selected key marine debris indicators that will underpin the successful mitigation of plastic pollution.

Session 1: Rationale and objectives of the workshop

➢ The presenters from 9 countries introduced case studies of translating scientific data into policy and decision-making, and the urgency and necessity of measures against marine pollution were shared.

➢ The participants exchanged views from the following points.

✧ Monitoring data which should be provided by the international research community

✧ Consideration of technical aspects as well as needs aspects

✧ Interactive communication between science and policy-making, equity, importance of harmonized monitoring guidelines.

Session 2: Addressing data gaps to inform marine debris indicators

➢ Presentation and discussion took place to exchange views on the data are necessary to inform the marine debris indicators, and on the current international activities to monitor and observe the ocean.

Session 3: Who is measuring what, where, and when?

➢ Discussion was held for mapping the current capacity to monitor and observe selected global-scale marine debris indicators based on available knowledge of existing surveys.

➢ Challenges, such as improvement of data accessibility under the current situation where too many databases exist, ease for users of monitoring data, reliability and utilization for policy-making, were indicated.

Session 4: Towards a global federated and interoperable marine debris data management

➢ Monitoring projects and products in each region and country were introduced.

➢ Based on the current database systems especially for ocean surface microplastic in Japan, United States, and EU, discussion about existing definitions and mandatory requirements for metadata and data reporting and the concept of a global, federated data management system for ocean surface microplastics was held.

➢ The participants were divided into the following four break-out tables to discuss the conceptualization of a global, federated data management system for ocean surface microplastics:

‒ Group 1: Mandatory requirements for metadata and data reporting

‒ Group 2: Potential elements for the roadmap of the Guidelines

‒ Group 3: Socio-technical challenges

‒ Group 4: Harmonization with other global level indicators

Session 5: Towards a network of sustained observations of surface microplastics and beyond

➢ In the following five break-out tables, discussions were held to initiate a coordinated observation network for ocean surface microplastics:

‒ Group 1: Surface microplastic

‒ Group 2: Sediment

‒ Group 3: Beach litter

‒ Group 4: Surface macroplastic

‒ Group 5: Biota

Session 6: Summary of workshop outcomes and next steps

➢ Based on the outcomes in Session 4, it was agreed to develop a common metadata format and a pilot demonstration of a federated and interoperable data management system for ocean surface microplastics.

➢ In addition, the need for QA/QC procedures, inter-laboratory comparisons and continued international discussion was confirmed.

➢ An official report will be published at a later date.