From global governance to microscopic particles

Researchers Eva van der Marel and Claudia Halsband shared some of the latest knowledge about marine plastics from two distinct research fields.

Van der Marel, associate professor at the Norwegian Centre for the Law of the Sea presented on the topic of international regulations. She explained how states work on the international level to combat marine plastic pollution, and the complicated considerations behind creating effective legal instruments in a world where marine plastic pollution doesn’t know national boundaries.

Halsband, Head of Ecosystems at Akvaplan-niva shared recent research on ocean pollution from microplastics. This challenge, which has only in more recent years gained attention in the public, poses many complications.

For example, different types of plastics contain various chemical additives that each have various, potentially harmful, consequences on the marine environment. In addition, microplastic pollution affects different life forms in the ocean depending not only on the type of pollution but also conditions such as ocean currents and water density.

Local efforts to combat a worldwide problem

The student’s diving club in Tromsø SUT and the Foundation Vårt Hav (“Our Ocean”) represented some of the organized initiatives that work to combat marine plastic pollution locally.

The diving club shared their experience with cleaning up the seabed while freediving. They shed light on how seeing the realities of pollution under water fuels both frustration and engagement to continue cleaning the ocean.

Christina Koch from Vårt Hav showcased “Prosjekt Skolerydding”, which has engaged over 5000 school-aged children all over Northern Norway.

She highlighted that there are generally less resources available for coastal cleanups in the North of Norway, despite there being more plastic pollution than the average in other areas of the country.

At our Open events we delve into a range of Arctic issues and invite the public to join the conversation. AF Opens are mostly in Norwegian, occasionally in English, and are always free to attend. See our past and upcoming events here: Opens – Arcticfrontiers.com

The event on the 11th of March 2026 was a collaboration with the Norwegian Centre for Law of the Sea and the Fram Centre. Read more about it in Norwgian here: Plast i havet, er det virkelig så farlig? – Arcticfrontiers.com