For details, please visit the website https://marinex.fmrt.ku.ac.bd/

Marine pollution, particularly plastic litter, poses a significant threat to biodiversity, health and well-being of millions of people and animals. The Bay of Bengal, one of the largest and most productive marine ecosystems in the world, is severely impacted by this problem, as it receives about 0.2 million MT of plastic waste per year from Bangladesh alone. Alarmingly, microplastics, which comprise 80% of total marine litter, contaminate the coastal and marine environment, harming the fish and other aquatic life, and disrupting the delicate balance of the mangrove forests that act as a buffer zone between land and sea. The impact of marine litter on the productivity of natural resources is putting impoverished coastal communities at risk of losing their livelihoods, while the entire population is facing increased health risks due to a contaminated food chain. Therefore, addressing marine litter pollution and its impact on the coastal and marine ecosystem as well as managing the mangroves and fisheries resources in a sustainable way, are crucial challenges that require evidence-based knowledge and solutions, in line with the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

In light of these challenges, the International Symposium on Marine Litter and Coastal Ecosystem Nexus (MariNEX) is intended to be a premier international forum for bringing together researchers, practitioners, policymakers and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge, experiences and best practices on the challenges and opportunities of addressing marine litter and its impacts on coastal and marine ecosystems. MariNEX aims to foster the sustainability of natural resources for community resilience by advancing integrated and holistic approaches that consider the interlinkages of marine litter and coastal ecosystem health. The symposium will explore topics such as the origins, pathways and destinations of marine litter, the impacts of marine litter on coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services, the socio-economic and human health consequences of marine litter, the policies and governance frameworks for marine litter management, and the innovative solutions and technologies for marine litter prevention, reduction and removal. The symposium will also feature successful case studies and initiatives from different regions and sectors that illustrate the benefits of addressing marine litter and plastic pollution for coastal ecosystems and communities.

MariNEX will be held in Khulna, Bangladesh, a city that faces multiple challenges from marine litter, coastal erosion, salinity intrusion, flooding and climate change, but also has a rich history of adaptation and resilience. The symposium will provide an opportunity for participants to learn from the local context and experiences, as well as to network and collaborate with experts and peers from different disciplines and backgrounds.