Regional Training on Marine Litter Monitoring: Advancing Data Analysis

Early September (15th to 17th) Kathy, Mary and Steph traveled to Bangkok (Thailand) to deliver a workshop focusing on advanced data analysis for marine litter monitoring. The objective was to train participants to not only manage and interpret complex data but also to pinpoint litter hotspots and identify problematic waste items.

The ultimate aim: to support informed waste management policies, drive interventions, and track the progress of efforts in tackling marine litter.

In collaboration with the Coordinating Body for the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), CSIRO, as a leader and trusted advisor in monitoring plastic and marine litter, were tasked to guide 25 participants from across the Southeast Asia region. Representatives from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan sat alongside colleagues from organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

 

On day two of the workshop, one of the standout moments was the group work, where participants analysed real Australian marine litter data collected by CSIRO. Adding a playful touch to the data crunching, each group was assigned an Australian animal mascot. This sparked enthusiasm and creativity as participants worked in small teams to identify research questions and explore innovative ways to visualise and measure the impact of their findings.