An updated world review of interactions between marine mammals and fisheries -

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Ocean Dumping and Ship Wastes

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This topic deals with ocean dumping and ship wastes, deliberately dumped under controlled conditions. It includes nuclear waste disposal, sewage outfalls, land-based materials or those that derive from shipping, such as from cargo transport ships and passenger ships. For accidental discharge, see Pollution and Degradation. See More...

Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter

Internationally, dumping of wastes and other matter is controlled by the London Protocol 1996 to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972 (the London Convention), administered by the International Maritime Organisation.

The following materials may be dumped under controlled conditions

dredged material;
sewage sludge;
fish wastes;
vessels and platforms;
inert, inorganic geological material (e.g., mining wastes);
organic material of natural origin;
bulky items primarily comprising iron, steel and concrete; and
carbon dioxide streams from carbon dioxide capture processes for sequestration (CCS).

About 80-90% of the material dumped at sea results from dredging and currently amounts to hundreds of millions of tons a year. Of the total material dredged, probably two-thirds is associated with operations to keep harbours, rivers and other waterways from silting up. The other third involves new works. Future dredging operations and the requirement for ocean disposal are expected to follow current trends. The ocean disposal of dredged material represents only 20-22% of the total dredged and the remainder is mostly dumped in internal waters, or placed on land for disposal or productive purposes.

Approximately 10% of dredged sediments are heavily contaminated from a variety of sources including shipping, industrial and municipal discharges, and land runoff. Typical contaminants include heavy metals, such as cadmium, mercury and chromium; hydrocarbons, such as oil; organochlorines such as pesticides; and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous. Disposal at sea of these materials carries the possibility of acute or chronic toxic effects on marine organisms, and potential contamination of human food sources.

Ship Wastes

It was recognized that ships, especially oil powered ships, could cause pollution and both the United Kingdom and the United States introduced legislation in the 1920s to curb discharges of oil resulting from operations such as tank cleaning. Attempts to tackle the problem at an international level were unsuccessful, however, and the outbreak of World War II resulted in the problem being deferred.

The potential for oil to pollute was finally recognised by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil 1954. The Convention provided for certain functions to be undertaken by the International Maritime Organization. OILPOL 54 prohibited the dumping of oily wastes within a certain distance from land and in 'special areas' where the danger to the environment was especially acute. See More...

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Title

An updated world review of interactions between marine mammals and fisheries ( DOCUMENT )

Author(s) / Editor(s)

Northridge, Simon P.

Description

Recent information on marine mammal - fishery interactions is reviewed. A species by species approach is taken for each of the major marine fishing areas of the world. Most recent studies have been devoted to the accidental entanglement or mortality of marine mammals in fishing operations. Several species or populations of marine mammal may be threatened with extinction or severe depletion from such interactions. Most of the fisheries involved are gillnet fisheries. Relatively few recent studies have addressed the possible competitive interactions between marine mammals and fisheries for food and fishery resources.

Keywords

MARINE MAMMALS;

RESOURCE ASSESSMENT;

MARINE MAMMAL ACTION PLAN;

GILLNET FISHERIES;

INTERACTIONS WITH FISHERIES

Content Language(s)

Spanish; French; English

Web Address

http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/003/X6860E/X6860E00.HTM

Type of Document

Paper: Technical paper