Marine Pollution Management Research Articles

Changes in the marine pollution management system in response to the Amorgos oil spill in Taiwan

The Marine Pollution Control Act ( MPCA) of Taiwan was promulgated on November 1, 2000, with the specific aim of controlling marine pollution, safeguarding public health, and promoting the sustainable use of marine resources. In addition to land-based pollution, oil spills are one of the most significant threats to the local marine environment largely on account of the some 30,000 tankers which pass through Taiwan’s coastal waters each year. In January 2001, two months after the enactment of this newly-introduced law, a Greek merchant vessel, the Amorgos ran aground in the vicinity of a national park on the southern tip of Taiwan, causing a serious oil spill and leading to considerable changes with regard to the marine pollution management system. The incident brought to the forefront many serious problems, such as a lack of experience, expertise as well as equipment required to respond to such disasters, as well as the ambiguous, unclear jurisdiction among related agencies. Thus, this paper reviews the incident of the Amorgos spill, identifies the major issues and lessons learned, and proposes several recommendations in an effort for Taiwan to further improve its marine pollution management system.

The regional approach to management of marine pollution in the South Pacific

Marine pollution does not recognise maritime boundaries. Consequently, protection of the marine environment from pollution must involve an international cooperative effort, with near neighbours, in particular, working together to protect coastal and ocean areas close to their political boundaries. This paper describes a regional approach adopted from 1988 to 1994 in the South Pacific Region to address marine pollution problems. Some 25 countries and territories lie within the region. Apart from Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, the countries of the region consist basically of a large number of small islands separated by substantial stretches of ocean. Growing populations and demands for better living standards are exerting increasing pressures on coastal and marine resources, leading in some cases to significant marine pollution. The Region has limited financial and technical resources to address such problems and countries have therefore determined to assess and control them through a concerted regional approach. This paper reviews aspects of this effort, outlining the methods adopted, describing the outcomes and discussing the problems and lessons learned.

The GEF/UNDP/IMO Malacca Straits Demonstration Project: Sources of Pollution

The Straits of Malacca is subjected to a great variety of environmental stresses due to its strategic location as a major international shipping lane and the concentration of agriculture, industry and urbanisation which predominate on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This paper gives an overview of the study conducted in the Malacca Straits as part of the GEF/UNDP/IMO Regional Programme on the Prevention and Management of Marine Pollution in the East Asian Seas, in particular pertaining to the identification of land and sea-based sources of pollution in Malaysia which contributes to the pollution load in the Straits, as well as the assessment of the relative contribution of each source.

Marine Pollution Prevention and Management in the East Asian Seas: A Paradigm Shift in Concept, Approach and Methodology

A brief analysis of the current situation pertaining to marine pollution prevention and management in the East Asian Seas is outlined, particularly focusing on pollution arising from both land and sea-based sources. This paper highlights the results of a Regional Programme supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in addressing some of the key marine pollution management problems of the region. The Programme has made significant progress in the following areas: (a) successfully developed and tested working models on the application of integrated coastal management (ICM) in addressing land-based sources of pollution; (b) tested risk assessment and risk management methodologies for addressing pollution in the Straits of Malacca; (c) attained commendable records in the ratification of marine pollution-related conventions; (d) developed an operational modality for stronger public and private sector partnerships; (e) demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of marine pollution monitoring programs; (f) focused on capacity building at the local level, and (g) with the above achievements, it has illustrated a paradigm shift in concept, approach and methodology in addressing the mounting environmental pressure caused by increasing marine pollution loads.

From sectoral to integrated coastal management: a case in Xiamen, China

Xiamen has been selected as a demonstration site for the GEF/UNDP/IMO Regional Programme for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pollution in the East Asian Seas. Its purpose is to test a working model for the application of an integrated coastal management system for mitigating marine pollution, rapid economic development. The paper outlines the success in ICM institutional development at the local level, particularly the establishment of decision-making mechanisms based on consensus building among major stakeholders, and inputs from science and technology. Further, the institutional development provides a framework for, and facilitates progress in, the legislative improvement and enforcement, cross-sectoral marine pollution monitoring, developing sustainable financing options, enhancing public awareness and participation, and capacity building towards ICM goals. Evaluation criteria for application of ICM system are also discussed.