Announcing the Creation of the IMDOS Steering Committee

A Major Step Forward in Monitoring Marine Debris

Marine debris, particularly plastic pollution, is a growing global crisis with severe environmental, economic, and human health impacts. Addressing this issue requires a coordinated, science-driven approach to understanding the sources, movement, and accumulation of debris in the Ocean. The Integrated Marine Debris Observing System (IMDOS) was established to fill this knowledge gap by developing a sustainable and interoperable global monitoring framework. Following a successful call for participation open between July and September 2024, we are excited to announce the creation of the IMDOS Steering Committee*—an essential milestone in advancing the initiative’s mission. 

The Need for a Coordinated Global Marine Debris Observing System 
Marine debris is a transboundary issue, meaning that its impacts and solutions extend beyond national borders. A comprehensive and collaborative global approach is necessary to effectively track, model, and understand this environmental challenge. IMDOS aims to address these needs by coordinating and harmonizing data collection efforts and fostering global cooperation to ensure that science-based evidence is readily available to policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders. 

With ongoing international negotiations for a global treaty on plastic pollution, the need for reliable, comparable data has never been greater. By supporting the establishment of an interoperable global observing system for marine debris, integrated with the existing global ocean observing system, IMDOS will participate to deliver invaluable insights into debris distribution, transport pathways, and accumulation zones. This will ultimately drive the development of more effective mitigation strategies and policies. 

A Call for Expertise: Shaping the IMDOS Steering Committee
In July 2024, IMDOS launched a call for participation to form its network of members. This call sought experts from diverse backgrounds, including oceanography, data science, citizen science, and policy development. The goal was to assemble a multidisciplinary team that could guide and support IMDOS in developing a robust and sustainable marine debris monitoring framework. 

Over 100 Researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from 33 countries around the world expressed their interest in contributing their expertise and insights to this critical initiative. 

Introducing the IMDOS Steering Committee
Following a thorough selection process by the interim Steering Committee to ensure inclusivity and diversity representation, IMDOS is proud to introduce its inaugural Steering Committee*. This diverse group of experts will play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of IMDOS, ensuring that its monitoring strategies are scientifically rigorous, globally inclusive, and policy-relevant.  
By leveraging the expertise of the Steering Committee*, IMDOS will enhance its ability to provide actionable insights that contribute to both scientific advancement and practical policy implementation. 
Collaboration is at the heart of IMDOS. The Steering Committee* will play a crucial role in fostering partnerships with governments, research institutions, NGOs, and industry players to enhance global engagement and resource-sharing. 

IMDOS Steering Committee* is composed of two sub-committees*:  

• The Work Programme sub-Committee is responsible for coordinating IMDOS activities. It is made up of all Task Teams chairs and co-chairs. 
• The Advisory and Sponsors sub-Committee is providing advice on high level strategic directions and connections. It identifies and, where possible, contributes resources. Advisory and Sponsors sub-committee members are ex-officio.

IMDOS’s Growing Network of Support 
The success of IMDOS is made possible through strong partnerships and funding support. GEO Blue Planet, the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), and UNEP’s GPML have been instrumental in supporting the development of IMDOS, alongside financial contributions from the European Union’s EU4OceanObs [https://www.eu4oceanobs.eu/] and EuroSea [eurosea.eu] projects. These collaborations ensure that IMDOS remains a sustainable and impactful initiative. 

By working closely with a growing number of international organizations, IMDOS is well-positioned to contribute to the broader ocean observing landscape, complementing existing efforts such as the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. 

Looking Ahead: The Future of IMDOS 
The establishment of the Steering Committee* is just the beginning. Over the coming months, the committee* will convene to start implementing the IMDOS Strategy, identify funding opportunities, and launch priority activities aimed at strengthening the IMDOS framework. As IMDOS continues to evolve, it will remain committed to working with global partners to foster a science-based, community-wide collaborative approach to addressing marine debris pollution. 

Join the IMDOS Community 
Are you interested in contributing to IMDOS? Stay updated on our ongoing and future activities by visiting our website IMDOS.org and following us on social media.

Register your marine debris monitoring initiative on the IMDOS directory here: https://imdos.org/activities/imdos-directory

*Note that the role of the Steering Committee and its sub-committees will be discussed further by the new group and thus its name might be updated in the future.