Mission and Vision

To deliver our mission we:

1. Represent our members with a powerful and united voice at international decision making process.
2. Develop and take part in projects with real focal impacts.
3. Create opportunities to exchange knowledge and experience internationally.
4. Keep our network up to date with important developments in international laws and regulations.

Representing our members with a powerful and united voice at international decision making processes

We represent our members at the international level (e.g. International Maritime Organisation, UNEP), EU level (European Parliament, European Commission) and regional level (e.g. OSPAR, HELCOM, CPMR).

We also collaborate with NGOs internationally, nationally and regionally to make joint proposals against emerging threats. For example, with regards to microplastics pollution from textiles.

Developing and taking part in projects with real 
local impacts

We look to implement practical solutions to marine environmental problems. And we seek funding to run demonstrative projects which allow our members to highlight these solutions to governments and policymakers.

We conceived Fishing for Litter, a successful scheme which our members directly manage in the UK and the Netherlands. Fishing for Litter has been hugely successful in encouraging fishermen to take ashore litter and abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) that they find during their normal fishing activities.

Our PitchIN project, developed together with Scottish NGO Fidra, has also been instrumental in raising awareness about the contribution of artificial sports pitches to microplastic pollution – and in highlighting abatement measures and alternatives.

Creating opportunities to exchange knowledge and experience internationally

Each year we host an Annual Conference, with guest speakers, workshops and discussions about crucial issues affecting the marine environment. These meetings are a unique opportunity to meet, exchange experience and network with politicians, local government officials and other key stakeholders.

Our Annual Conference is also an opportunity to showcase the best of a city or region on the international stage, with one of our member municipalities playing host to the meeting each year. For example, the most recent meetings were held in Falkenberg, Sweden (2023) and Tórshavn, Faroe Islands (2022).

We also conduct research, produce reports and write best practice guidelines. We work in collaboration with academics, research institutions and other organisations to ensure that the information and evidence-base used to back up our lobbying is both accurate and contemporary.
For example, see our work on microplastic pollution from artificial sports pitches, net cuttings pollution from the fishing industry and microplastic emissions from textiles.

Keeping our network up to date with important developments in international laws and regulations

With news updates on our website and through our national coordinators, we keep our members informed about important issues that affect their work. We also have Facebook, Twitter and  LinkedIn profile. And you can sign up for our email updates.