An Analysis of Policy Options Available to the International Maritime Organization to Protect the Costa Rica Thermal Dome: Building the Case for a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area

Abstract

Intense maritime traffic threatens marine habitats globally. The Costa Rica Thermal Dome (CRTD) is a biologically productive ocean region that experiences a high volume of maritime traffic, and its location is dynamic, representing a governance challenge for this marine area. The CRTD is a high seas upwelling system influenced part of the year by coastal jet winds off the coast of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. During parts of the year, the CRTD moves into the jurisdictional waters of the adjacent countries (Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador). Because there is currently no cross-sectoral coordination or capacity to address multiple threats in high seas areas such as the CRTD, regulation must be implemented on a sector-by-sector basis. This document analyzes tools under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to reduce the threats from international shipping in the marine environment, with particular emphasis on the CRTD. The IMO has the authority to regulate shipping activity globally and implement precautionary measures to avoid threats such as hazardous and noxious substances, ship-whale strikes, or underwater noise pollution. The following IMO tools were included in the analysis: ship routing measures and speed reductions, a Special Area under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), and a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA). The results of the analysis concluded that the implementation of a PSSA within the CRTD is the best option to address threats from international shipping, since it can combine a range of Associated Protective Measures under its single administrative structure.