Knowledge of the situation with regard to the characterisation and quantification of waste remains insufficient on the coast. However, it is clear that the waste burden is high.

In the case of marine litter, despite lack of knowledge, it is possible to distinguish four large areas of strong accumulation to be monitored: The Seine estuary and the sectors off the coast of Dieppe, Somme and Pas de Calais.

Densities range from 0 to 4,52 waste per hectare (2010): On average 1,38 ± 0,16 waste per hectare in the Western Channel (beam trawl) and 0,41 ± 0,06 in the eastern Channel (otter trawl).

The impact of waste on water column habitats has not been considered in the initial assessment.

Moderate impact on biocenoses in the loose medium.

Moderate impact on marine mammals, seabirds and sea turtles.

Waste collection operations, involving their recognition and classification, are relatively rare compared to operations in the more general context of the routine cleaning of beaches. The overall estimate of the quantity of waste on the coast of the marine sub-region has not been carried out.

The number of containers lost at sea is seriously underestimated due to the numerous unreported and/or unreported losses. Data on micro-plastics at sea and on beaches is not sufficient for a full assessment of the baseline status.

In general, data remain limited for definitive findings.

seabirds: As part of the EcoQO ‘fulmar Boréal’ programme of OSPAR, the synthesis carried out by the LPO shows that the data collected on the northern fulcrans in France (1972-2008) are few. Out of 372 birds, the cause of death is determined for only 115 individuals. The results of the IMARES (2002-2006) concern only Normandy and the Pas de Calais.

The OSPAR monitoring carried out between 2001 and 2006 on a single site shows a great variability in the number of waste. The number of waste found on the French beaches is 7 times higher than that found on other European beaches (38000 waste compared with 542 waste). Other cleaning initiatives: Nord-Pas-de-Calais: Mechanical collection is carried out only in the heavily frequented sectors, representing an average of approximately 30 tonnes per day per 10 km of beach. Manual collection operations collect approximately 50 t/a per 25 km of linear metres. Picardie: The situation is limited. Mussel farming is a predominant source of macro-waste, consisting of 60 % mussel nets north of the Baie de Somme. Upper Normandy: The waste comes mainly from river water from the Seine and from port activities. Waste abandoned on beaches is significant in Seine-Maritime. In 5 years (2001-2006), the cleaning of the banks of the Seine represents approximately 4 000 t of waste. Dieppe sector: 340 m³/year on average, 10 km of beaches spread over 40 km of coastline. Le Havre sector: More than 50 t/year collected along a 20 km line. Lower Normandy: English Channel, manual collection, about 80 km, about 145 m³/year of waste. Calvados, 0.5 m³/km driven, or about 80 m³ in 2 annual passages. The volume collected mechanically is not mentioned. Bretagne: All the coasts of the region of Brittany are concerned, but there is little intelligence.

From 1989 to 2008, 189 containers (at least) were lost in the English Channel, of which more than 100 were lost in a single event. These figures include those containers found, lost or poured. More than 90 % of the containers found at sea are set to sink. The losses of containers are clearly situated along the maritime transport rail, which begins on the Celtic plateau and is transported through the English Channel. The sources of microparticles (of a size between 500 µm and 5 mm) are diffuse: These microparticles are mainly caused by the degradation of plastics at sea and, to a lesser extent, of plastic polymers of synthesis before forming and use in industry. The degradation time depends on temperature, salinity and oxygen conditions, but also on the sun and the current. A significant number of pollutants are likely to be concentrated on the surface of these microparticles and ingested by marine organisms. Similarly, these microparticles serve many species and promote their spread over long distances. There are no microparticles at sea for this marine sub-region.

Data for sea waste generated by trawling surveys generally show a high degree of variability in spatial distribution. Densities range from 0 to 4,52 waste per hectare (2010): On average 1,38 ± 0,16 waste per hectare in the Western Channel (beam trawl) and 0,41 ± 0,06 in the eastern Channel (otter trawl). In the Eastern Channel, the average densities were 0,15 ± 0,06 in 1998 under the same sampling conditions, reflecting a significant increase in the number of waste on the substance over the last 12 years. High concentration points in terms of number and weight of waste are situated along the coastal line around the Pas de Calais (Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne), including industrial and port areas at the origin of high levels of waste. The Seine and the Somme are two identified sources, the consequence of which is the creation of built-up areas in the vicinity of the mouths. Data analysis by weight confirms the four large areas of high accumulation: Estuary of the Seine, around Dieppe, near the Somme and at the level of the Pas de Calais area. In the Western Channel, the most significant concentrations of waste are located at the Channel and La Hague edge. Along the coasts, the number of waste is lower because it is poorly urbanised and not frequented. The significant hydrodynamic regime shall not promote accumulation along the coast.

For the moment, no statistical data are available.

For the moment, no statistical data are available.

The impact of waste on marine organisms (birds, turtles, mammals) has been established. There has been a marked increase in plastic ingestion by birds and marine mammals, which is directly correlated with the increase in the number of plastics in marine waters. birds: The results of the IMARES (2002-2006) can be used. For Normandy and Pas-de-Calais, 70 % and 58 % of individuals have more than 0.1 g of plastic particles in the stomach. The lack of data makes it impossible to assess trends. national sea turtles: Over the period 1988-2009 (656 beaching), 30 % of the marine turtles (191) present extraneous matter (58). marine mammals: Over the period 1972-2010 (1544 beaching), 0.23 % of the individuals examined (436) present plastics in the digestive system (1 individual).

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Human activities: Maritime transport, fisheries, aquaculture, urbanisation, tourism, port and industrial activities. This area has a few large cities, but tourism is limited. The water catchment area of the Seine is very large, very populated, and supports multiple waste generation activities. Two outstanding industrial zones are present on the coast, on the one hand, in the Pas-de-Calais (Boulogne, Dunkirk) and on the other hand, in the Seine estuary (Rouen, Le Havre). In the margins of strong tidal currents, the residual current is mainly from the west to east and from the northern channel to the North Sea. Two important rivers are discharged, the Seine and, with a much lower flow, the Somme.

Human activities: Maritime transport, fisheries, aquaculture, urbanisation, tourism, port and industrial activities. This area has a few large cities, but tourism is limited. The water catchment area of the Seine is very large, very populated, and supports multiple waste generation activities. Two outstanding industrial zones are present on the coast, on the one hand, in the Pas-de-Calais (Boulogne, Dunkirk) and on the other hand, in the Seine estuary (Rouen, Le Havre). In the margins of strong tidal currents, the residual current is mainly from the west to east and from the northern channel to the North Sea. Two important rivers are discharged, the Seine and, with a much lower flow, the Somme.

Human activities: Maritime transport, fisheries, aquaculture, urbanisation, tourism, port and industrial activities. This area has a few large cities, but tourism is limited. The water catchment area of the Seine is very large, very populated, and supports multiple waste generation activities. Two outstanding industrial zones are present on the coast, on the one hand, in the Pas-de-Calais (Boulogne, Dunkirk) and on the other hand, in the Seine estuary (Rouen, Le Havre). In the margins of strong tidal currents, the residual current is mainly from the west to east and from the northern channel to the North Sea. Two important rivers are discharged, the Seine and, with a much lower flow, the Somme.

Human activities: Maritime transport, fisheries, aquaculture, urbanisation, tourism, port and industrial activities. This area has a few large cities, but tourism is limited. The water catchment area of the Seine is very large, very populated, and supports multiple waste generation activities. Two outstanding industrial zones are present on the coast, on the one hand, in the Pas-de-Calais (Boulogne, Dunkirk) and on the other hand, in the Seine estuary (Rouen, Le Havre). In the margins of strong tidal currents, the residual current is mainly from the west to east and from the northern channel to the North Sea. Two important rivers are discharged, the Seine and, with a much lower flow, the Somme.

Human activities: Maritime transport, fisheries, aquaculture, urbanisation, tourism, port and industrial activities. This area has a few large cities, but tourism is limited. The water catchment area of the Seine is very large, very populated, and supports multiple waste generation activities. Two outstanding industrial zones are present on the coast, on the one hand, in the Pas-de-Calais (Boulogne, Dunkirk) and on the other hand, in the Seine estuary (Rouen, Le Havre). In the margins of strong tidal currents, the residual current is mainly from the west to east and from the northern channel to the North Sea. Two important rivers are discharged, the Seine and, with a much lower flow, the Somme.

Human activities: Maritime transport, fisheries, aquaculture, urbanisation, tourism, port and industrial activities. This area has a few large cities, but tourism is limited. The water catchment area of the Seine is very large, very populated, and supports multiple waste generation activities. Two outstanding industrial zones are present on the coast, on the one hand, in the Pas-de-Calais (Boulogne, Dunkirk) and on the other hand, in the Seine estuary (Rouen, Le Havre). In the margins of strong tidal currents, the residual current is mainly from the west to east and from the northern channel to the North Sea. Two important rivers are discharged, the Seine and, with a much lower flow, the Somme.

Ongoing reflection for implementation in the context of the revision of the elements for the next cycle.

Ongoing reflection for implementation in the context of the revision of the elements for the next cycle.

Ongoing reflection for implementation in the context of the revision of the elements for the next cycle.

Ongoing reflection for implementation in the context of the revision of the elements for the next cycle.

Ongoing reflection for implementation in the context of the revision of the elements for the next cycle.

Ongoing reflection for implementation in the context of the revision of the elements for the next cycle.