Target Groups
Local fishermen from Bourgas region, in Bulgaria; Odessa region, in Ukraine; Guria region in Georgia and Tekirdağ, in Turkey (330 people in total, i.e. 80 people from Bulgaria, 100 people from Ukraine, 50 people from Georgia and 100 people from Turkey) will be one of the target groups of the action due to the fact that derelict or discarded fishing gear ranks is the most problematic marine litter with accounting for around one tenth of the entire litter in the world`s seas. This will be addressed by the action via 'Fishing for Litter' campaigns with these local fishermen.
Local communities living in Bourgas, in Bulgaria; Odessa, in Ukraine; Guria, in Georgia and Tekirdağ, in Turkey (16.000 people in total, i.e. 3.000 people from Bulgaria, 5.000 people from Ukraine, 1.000 people from Georgia and 7.000 people from Turkey) will be the other target group of the action because of individual behaviour and people’s attitudes and perceptions are major influential factor with regard to littering and, in this context, consumers have a direct impact by modifying their behaviour. The combination of individual actions will lead to significant and measurable results in terms of the reduction of solid waste in the environment. Simply starting to reject single use bags in stores, use alternative cotton bags, drink tap water (where possible) instead of buying bottled water, discard your waste properly, etc. can make an impact on litter levels. Due to the important impact that individual behaviour has on marine litter, increased knowledge of the behaviour of individuals and organisations responsible for litter can assist with the formulation of effective policy measures to address the marine litter.
7-16 age group primary and secondary school students and teachers from Bourgas in Bulgaria, Odessa in Ukraine, Guria in Georgia and Tekirdağ in Turkey will be the last target group of the action (4.500 people in total, i.e. 500 people from Bulgaria, 1.500 people from Ukraine, 500 people from Georgia and 2.000 people from Turkey) as education is a powerful tool to address the issue which cannot be underestimated, especially, if it is discussed in schools, and can be more effective than strict laws. Since land-based sources provide major inputs of debris into the seas, if a community becomes aware of the problem, and obviously willing to act upon it, it can actually make a significant difference. In this regard, youngsters not only can change habits with relative ease, but also be able to take their awareness into their families and the wider community, working as catalysts for change.