Caring for the sea—accomplishments, activities and future of the United Nations GESAMP (the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection)

Abstract

The Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP), established in 1969, is a scientific advisory body on marine pollution and marine environmental protection, sponsored by eight United Nations (UN) bodies (International Maritime Organization (IMO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and United Nations (NY) (UN)). The group provides scientific advice in five areas—assessment of the potential effects of marine contaminants; scientific basis for research and monitoring programs; international exchange of scientific information relevant to assessment and control of marine pollution; scientific principles for control and management of anthropogenic effects on the marine environment; and the scientific basis and criteria relating to legal instruments and other measures for prevention, control and abatement of marine pollution. In recent years, it has expanded its responsibility to include key topics related to marine environmental protection and integrated coastal management. Members are natural and social scientists, coastal managers and resource economists nominated by the sponsoring agencies but working in their individual capacity as marine specialists. Problems are technically reviewed and assessed through working groups composed of members and other specialists, drawing upon the world-wide oceanographic, marine science and coastal management communities. Members and working group specialists have come from over 50 countries. Since 1976, GESAMP has produced 47 reports on technical topics related to marine pollution, protection and conservation. The group has produced four global State of the Marine Environment reports. Its longest running working group evaluates the hazards of substances carried by ships for the MARPOL 73/78 Convention (Annexes II and III). Over its history, GESAMP has contributed to the landmark Stockholm Conference (1972), MARPOL 73/78, the UN Convention on Law of the Sea, the Bruntland Commission's report on sustainable development (1987), the Rio Conference (UNCED) and Agenda 21 (1992), and the Washington Declaration on LBA—land-based activities (1995). Its current program includes advice on the state of the marine environment (two reports published in 2001), oil inputs into the sea from sea-based activities, aquaculture in the context of IC(Z)M, hazards of harmful substances carried by ships, and endocrine disrupting compounds in marine ecosystems, and contributions to key ocean conferences.