The European Commission (EC) is calling for aquariums around the world to sign up to a worldwide coalition to fight plastic pollution.

Joining forces with the United Nations Environment Programme, the EC is aiming to get aquariums to change their procurement policies, particularly in canteens and shops, to eliminate all single-use plastic items.

It is looking to get at least 200 aquariums on-board with the programme by 2019. Currently, it has 106 aquariums from 33 countries, including 67 based in the European Union, signed up.

The drive has support from the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, the European Union of Aquarium Curators, the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the U.S. Aquarium Conservation Partnership and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.

EU commissioner for environment, maritime affairs and fisheries Karmenu Vella said: "The EC has been working for 18 months to instigate and build this global coalition.

"Aquariums are a window to our ocean. With their collections and their educational programmes, they show us what we need to protect and they inspire the ocean lovers of tomorrow.

"Millions of people visit aquariums around the world every year. This will mobilise them to rethink the way we use plastic."

This announcement comes on the back of a vote in the European Parliament last week, which passed the EC's proposal to ban certain single-use plastics by 2021.