Group XX Members: Jessamyn Maban Renato N Ramos Jr

The "Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972", usually referred to as the "London Convention", was one of the first global conventions designed to protect the marine environment from human activities. It has been in force since 1975.

The objective of the London Convention is to promote the effective control of all sources of marine pollution and to take all practicable steps to prevent pollution of the sea by dumping of wastes and other matter. Currently, 87 States are Parties to it.

In 1996, the "London Protocol" was agreed, to further modernize the Convention and, eventually, to replace it. Under the Protocol, all dumping is prohibited, except for possibly acceptable wastes on the so-called "reverse list". This includes dredged material, sewage sludge, fish wastes, inert, inorganic geological material (e.g. mining wastes), organic material of natural origin, and carbon dioxide streams from carbon dioxide capture processes for sequestration. The London Protocol entered into force on 24 March 2006 and currently has 42 States Parties.

What are the potential benefits of becoming a Contracting Party to the London Convention? These benefits may include: Enhanced protection of a Party's coastal zone and marine environment Access to technical assistance to aid marine environmental protection Control of marine pollution from disposal at sea activities Improved management of dredged material and other material disposed of at sea A forum to address scientific issues arising from disposal at sea activities A forum for consideration of disputes between Contracting Parties arising from their disposal at sea activities Review of national waste management policies and practices

What are the potential costs to becoming a Contracting Party? Costs vary among countries and depend on the amount of disposal at sea activities, but specific expenditures are required for: Preparing enabling national legislation Administering a permit system which may include: Compliance promotion and making applications available Scientific review of applications Issuing permits with stipulated conditions Enforcing permit conditions through inspections Record keeping for permit reviews, and Monitoring selected dump sites Preparing annual reports on disposal and monitoring activities Attending meetings of the Parties from time to time Attending annual meetings of the Scientific Group

Which operations constitute disposal at sea under the London Convention? Activities that would be constitute "disposal at sea" are set out in the definition of "dumping" under Article III of the London Convention 1972 and under Article 1 of the 1996 Protocol. In general, "disposal at sea" operations comprise activities whereby materials taken onboard a vessel are transported to a disposal location at sea and dumped into the marine environment. Disposal at sea by ship does not include: discharges of wastes arising during normal operations of vessels (management of these wastes are governed under the MARPOL 73/78 Convention). disposal of wastes arising from exploration or extraction of sea bed mineral resources. placement on the sea floor for a purpose other than disposal (e.g. scientific research devices)

I.US Coast Guard Marine Environmental Function II.Australian MEP Association (AUSMEPA) III.Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Marine Safety programs for pollution prevention activities: 1.To avert the introduction of invasive species into marine environment 2. Stop unauthorized ocean dumping 3. Prevent oils and chemical spills