LEGAL CONTROL OF MARINE POLLUTION BY PLASTIC DEBRIS

“Man is the only animal that fouls its own nest” is a proverb now being literally played out in these times. The blue planet, as we proudly call our Earth owes its name to the oceans that cover more than 70% of its surface. However, the oceans which are habitat to diverse biosystems have become death beds at the hands of us – homo sapiens. The marine eco-system is at the edge of a wipe-out; all thanks to the massive accumulation of plastic debris. It is high time that the humanity realizes this catastrophe and take immediate steps to salvage at least what we can, internationally and domestically. It is and it ought to be a matter of common knowledge that plastic does not decompose in thousands of years and even if it does it only breaks down to micro and nano levels of plastic itself. Such micro plastics accumulate and make the marine ecosphere a “plastic soup” as a toxic trans-boundary pollutant, disruptor of food chain, catalysts of climate change, poison to the fragile marine eco-bio balance affecting chaotically the human life. It also adversely impacts trade and commerce relating to various verticals including fishing, marine trade, exploration of resources, tourism, etc. An article titled ‘We can’t escape consuming plastics’ published in the New York times on 11th January 2024 which highlighted the findings of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, was a startling eye opener that shouted to the world the impending danger, “a litter of bottled water contains nearly a quarter of a million pieces of nano plastic on average”.

The international community having realised the harm and havoc created by plastic debris, endorsed a historic resolution at the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) in Nairobi on 02nd March 2022 to End Plastic Pollution and forge an international legally binding agreement by 2024. In the Assembly of Heads of State, Ministers of environment and other representatives from the UN Member States, the President of UNEA-5 and Norway’s Minister for Climate and the Environment, Mr. Espen Barth Eide exhorted, “Against the backdrop of geopolitical turmoil, the UN Environment Assembly shows multilateral cooperation at its best. Plastic pollution has grown into an epidemic. With today’s resolution we are officially on track for a cure”. Thus, the Chicago Convention 2024 – Global Plastic Treaty, an International Legal Instrument to curb plastic and its effective actualization is our great dream which the humanity ambitiously looks forward.

The book “Legal Control of Marine Pollution by Plastic Debris” authored by Dr. Biju Antony is a systematic research work on plastic debris in the marine environment, its imminent perils, environmental concerns. The book also notes the dearth of effective solutions at international levels like conventions and treaties. The book challenges the existing law of the seas and has called for a radical revisit on the maritime jurisprudence to be more inclusive towards and sensitized about such ecologically sensitive aspects. It is gratifying to note that the book has covered a broad spectrum of topics concerning the looming hazard of marine pollution by plastic debris and its threat to life itself in the blue planet.