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Cyprus campaign against sea pollution
Marine PollutionBulletin The Bombay High field normally supplies 280 000 barrels a day, around 60% of total Indian oil production, and 11 million cubic metres of gas a day, around 65% of total gas production. A large number of industries were therefore affected by the breakage. A connector to replace the ruptured 14 year old pipeline was installed by the US-based company Hydrotech. The oil loss alone cost around Rs 10 million. The Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas had ordered an external audit to check the state of all offshore pipelines and has ordered ONGC to review all the oil production systems and exploration to check for any other problems.
IWC Moratorium Ignored The pro-whaling lobby again failed to achieve the three quarters majority required to overturn the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium at its 45th annual conference held this May in Kyoto, Japan, though Norway have since resumed commercial whaling despite this decision. In addition, calls from Norway and Japan for the implementation of the Revised Management Procedure (RMP), which aims to allow for sustainable harvesting, were rejected by an 18:6 vote (6 abstentions). The catch limit algorithm, based on whale population dynamics, was accepted at last years meeting, but it was agreed that further safeguards were required before it could be implemented. These included minimum standards for data, agreed survey guidelines, and the need for effective policing to inspect and verify catches. Japan's request for an emergency allocation of 50 whales to support its coastal whaling fleet was also rejected, prompting threats of withdrawal which were subsequently played down, though Japan's minister expressed fears that the RMP may be postponed indefinitely. Japan has continued to take around 300 minke whales a year as part of its scientific whaling programme, despite the IWC's continued rejection of the scientific justification of such catches. The Norwegian government had declared its intention to resume commercial whaling in the run up to the IWC conference, regardless of the decisions taken. A catch quota of 800 minke whales was subsequently set by the Norwegian authorities, though the whaling fleets had taken their first catches prior to the IWC meeting. This unilateral action has prompted calls for an economic boycott of Norway by the US and the EEC, but the Norwegian government remains undeterred, claiming that such boycotts will have a negligible effect. The 1994 Winter Olympics, due to be hosted by Norway in Lillehammer, may also be boycotted. Despite claims that the catches are intended to support coastal communities and will not be exported, it is reported that Japanese traders have been negotiating the export of whale meat to Japan. In the face of these developments the Norwegian government has ambiguously declared that it continues to recognize the IWC and will remain a member of it. Such opposing stances are all the more surprising considering the 354
Norwegian Prime Minister's role as one of the founders of the IWC and her lead in the Brundtland Commission (WCED 1987), which enunciated the concept of sustainable development (see Mar. Pollut. Bull. 26, 223-225). France's proposal from last years' conference to establish an Antarctic sanctuary in the waters of the Southern Ocean south of 40°S, originally blocked on procedural grounds, gained further support. It was passed by the Technical Committee, which requires a simple majority, but amid fears that it would fail to gain the three quarters majority by the full commission, further discussions were postponed until next year. The UK government submitted a paper on the whale-watching industry which included a resolution to monitor and control its activities in order to minimize the disturbance of whales. The report stresses the economic value of live whales, stating that the rapidly expanding whale-watching industry generated £185 million worldwide in 1991 alone. However, the commissioners from Japan, Norway and several Caribbean countries questioned the IWC's authority to regulate such activities. The involvement of the latter parties had rekindled accusations that Japan is using development aid funding to buy support from Caribbean countries. Meanwhile, Greenpeace has begun a campaign of direct action to block and disrupt the Norwegian whalers, which it claims have been allowed to resume commercial hunting in order to buy votes for the Brundtland government. PETER JO~ES
Cyprus Campaign Against Sea Pollution An educational programme to fight pollution at seas has been launched by the Cyprus Marine Environmental Protection Association (CYMEPA). A three day seminar studied international conventions and certification as well as oil and rubbish pollution. The delegates consisted of twenty five managers and officers from Cypriot flag ships. The concept behind this training programme is to motivate the crews of ships to take a more active role in care of the environment and their own ship safety standards. The Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA) have been involved in such crew training for ten years. The group was formed by Greek owners and seafarers and their representatives are now travelling around encouraging other countries to set up similar programmes. Canada, the USA, and Turkey have already received a visit and Turkey is likely to join Greece and Cyprus in this initiative.
Clean Seas International Award The government of Malta is establishing an international award to encourage the maintenance of safe and clean seas. The award will first be bestowed during
IWC Moratorium Ignored The pro-whaling lobby again failed to achieve the three quarters majority required to overturn the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium at its 45th annual conference held this May in Kyoto, Japan, though Norway have since resumed commercial whaling despite this decision. In addition, calls from Norway and Japan for the implementation of the Revised Management Procedure (RMP), which aims to allow for sustainable harvesting, were rejected by an 18:6 vote (6 abstentions). The catch limit algorithm, based on whale population dynamics, was accepted at last years meeting, but it was agreed that further safeguards were required before it could be implemented. These included minimum standards for data, agreed survey guidelines, and the need for effective policing to inspect and verify catches. Japan's request for an emergency allocation of 50 whales to support its coastal whaling fleet was also rejected, prompting threats of withdrawal which were subsequently played down, though Japan's minister expressed fears that the RMP may be postponed indefinitely. Japan has continued to take around 300 minke whales a year as part of its scientific whaling programme, despite the IWC's continued rejection of the scientific justification of such catches. The Norwegian government had declared its intention to resume commercial whaling in the run up to the IWC conference, regardless of the decisions taken. A catch quota of 800 minke whales was subsequently set by the Norwegian authorities, though the whaling fleets had taken their first catches prior to the IWC meeting. This unilateral action has prompted calls for an economic boycott of Norway by the US and the EEC, but the Norwegian government remains undeterred, claiming that such boycotts will have a negligible effect. The 1994 Winter Olympics, due to be hosted by Norway in Lillehammer, may also be boycotted. Despite claims that the catches are intended to support coastal communities and will not be exported, it is reported that Japanese traders have been negotiating the export of whale meat to Japan. In the face of these developments the Norwegian government has ambiguously declared that it continues to recognize the IWC and will remain a member of it. Such opposing stances are all the more surprising considering the 354
Norwegian Prime Minister's role as one of the founders of the IWC and her lead in the Brundtland Commission (WCED 1987), which enunciated the concept of sustainable development (see Mar. Pollut. Bull. 26, 223-225). France's proposal from last years' conference to establish an Antarctic sanctuary in the waters of the Southern Ocean south of 40°S, originally blocked on procedural grounds, gained further support. It was passed by the Technical Committee, which requires a simple majority, but amid fears that it would fail to gain the three quarters majority by the full commission, further discussions were postponed until next year. The UK government submitted a paper on the whale-watching industry which included a resolution to monitor and control its activities in order to minimize the disturbance of whales. The report stresses the economic value of live whales, stating that the rapidly expanding whale-watching industry generated £185 million worldwide in 1991 alone. However, the commissioners from Japan, Norway and several Caribbean countries questioned the IWC's authority to regulate such activities. The involvement of the latter parties had rekindled accusations that Japan is using development aid funding to buy support from Caribbean countries. Meanwhile, Greenpeace has begun a campaign of direct action to block and disrupt the Norwegian whalers, which it claims have been allowed to resume commercial hunting in order to buy votes for the Brundtland government. PETER JO~ES
Cyprus Campaign Against Sea Pollution An educational programme to fight pollution at seas has been launched by the Cyprus Marine Environmental Protection Association (CYMEPA). A three day seminar studied international conventions and certification as well as oil and rubbish pollution. The delegates consisted of twenty five managers and officers from Cypriot flag ships. The concept behind this training programme is to motivate the crews of ships to take a more active role in care of the environment and their own ship safety standards. The Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA) have been involved in such crew training for ten years. The group was formed by Greek owners and seafarers and their representatives are now travelling around encouraging other countries to set up similar programmes. Canada, the USA, and Turkey have already received a visit and Turkey is likely to join Greece and Cyprus in this initiative.
Clean Seas International Award The government of Malta is establishing an international award to encourage the maintenance of safe and clean seas. The award will first be bestowed during