Background Marine litter has been recognised as one of the major threats to marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea. Tourism, fishing and recreational activities are among the main sources of this litter. Marine mammals, seabirds, turtles, fish and invertebrates have all been reported to ingest marine debris, especially plastic. In particular, entanglement in marine litter has been reported for at least 20 pinniped (seal) species, at least 14 cetaceans, all seven species of marine turtles and more than 56 species of seabirds. Objectives The overall aim of the Clean Sea LIFE project is to support the application of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and EU biodiversity policy relating to marine litter. The specific objectives are: To increase awareness of marine litter, empowering citizens to become part of the solution; To remove existing litter, including lost fishing gear, and prevent further littering; To promote "fishing for litter" initiatives and to train fishing industry professionals in responsible practices; and To provide guidelines for the management of marine litter, increase exchange of knowledge and the uptake of best practices and assist authorities in achieving a Good Environmental Status of the sea, as required under the MSFD. Expected results: The project expects to achieve the following results: Increased awareness through reaching 300 000 people, having the code of conduct signed by 20 000 stakeholders, and ensuring that some 600 diving teachers and school teachers highlight the problem in their lessons curriculum; Training of 200 coast guard officers and 100 teachers; Organisation of litter clean-ups on 160 beaches and 128 seafloors with 3 000 participants and assessment of litter clean-ups on 100 beaches and 128 seafloors; At least 640 beach and coastal operators and local authorities committed to organising more than 1 000 clean-ups; and A mapping of critical areas of litter accumulation and the identification and ranking of its types and sources for policy purposes, in order to increase understanding of the problem of marine litter. The maps will be distributed to stakeholders.