An Institutional Assessment of Ocean Plastic Holistic Waste Management at Various Governance Levels

Our oceans, a shared-resource system, has received global attention over the concern of marine plastic pollution, which has been burdened by individual users acting in their own self-interest who end up spoiling the resource through their collective action (Berkes, 1985). In order to counteract and reduce the marine debris, there have been numerous challenges in the attempt to regulate using policies utilizing both economic and social instruments. This study reviews this marine plastic management problem through the perspective of governance, public awareness, and societal norms. It is argued that despite the growing overabundance of marine plastic debris, opportunities exist for the management and overall reduction through a more holistic approach.