- Email: [email protected]
Dr H. A. Cole
Marine Pollution Bulletin
comparability of data from different sources, the methods used should become more consistent in their interpretation of the key elements in the analytical procedures. It also urges that standardizing agencies and national water authorities consider the key elements when reviewing existing methods or developing new standard methods.
Computerized Deballasting System Specially designed valves for a computerized tanker deballasting system have recently been developed for Babock-Bristol's OTM17X system, which the company claims is the most comprehensive available. They will be installed on board tankers as part of a permanent deballasting oil content monitoring system. The pneumatically-operated valves are designed to control discharge via various outlets. They are activated by computer in response to continuous pollution level measurements to ensure acceptable dispersal patterns are maintained, in accordance with the International Maritime Organization Resolutions A393 (X) and AA496 (XII).
Increased Oil Pollution Compensation Victims of major oil pollution disasters will be able to claim greater compensation following the introduction of two new Protocols dealing with liability and compensation for oil pollution damage. By amending the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 (1969 CLC) and the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971, the amount of compensation payable to persons who suffer pollution damage from accidents involving oil tankers will be raised. The new maximum amount has been raised from the present limit of about US $63 million to more than US $200 million. The 1984 Protocols make a number of other changes to the 1969 and 1971 conventions. The most important of these is the inclusion of a new procedure for amending the liability limits, making it easier to increase the compensation payable if this is necessary in the future. The Protocols were adopted at a conference held by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at its headquarters in London. The conference also recognized the need for an international agreement on questions of liability and compensation in connection with the carriage of noxious and hazardous substances by sea. The new Protocols should enter into force in May next year, 12 months after being accepted by 10 states.
280
Non-commercial Whaling Proposals to establish a 'non-commercial' category of whaling have alarmed conservationists on a worldwide scale. A number of International Whaling Commission member nations would like to see this new category of whaling introduced, but this definition would allow a limited form of whale hunting to continue, even after the 1WC moratorium goes into effect in 1985-86. Sir Peter Scott, Chairman of the World Wildlife Fund's International Council, said: "There is no justification for any further compromise allowing continued catching of whales from depleted stocks . . . . The moratorium was already a compromise, with a three-year period of grace being given to whaling countries to scale down their operations and have time to find alternative employment for the communities involved'.' The chief proponent of the new definition is Norway, which claims that its coastal communities with traditional offshore whaling would be the main benificiaries. Other nations likely to benefit from the new category would be Brazil, Japan, Iceland and possibly Spain and Peru. The proposed category of whaling would be neither 'commercial' nor 'aboriginal-subsistence' whaling. Features of this new 'non-commercial' category might include prohibition of international trade in resulting whale products, requirements that the whaling boats be owner-operated, and that the owners be dependent on fishing for a major portion of their income. The moratorium on commercial whaling, which is to begin in less than two years, is designed to allow scientists from IWC countries and other nations to continue scientific research on whale stocks. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are urging IWC member nations to allow the world's whales to be given a chance to recover until their future can be safeguarded.
Correction Marine Pollution Bulletin's news report from New Scientist article by Catherine Caulfield (Mar. Pollut. Bull., 1984, 15, 205) referred to 66 tonnes of arsenic dumped in the North Sea from incinerator ships. This should have read 66 kilograms.
Dr H. A. Cole We very much regret to announce the death of Dr H. A. Cole on 23 July 1984. He was a member of the Editorial Board and a frequent contributor to the Marine Pollution Bulletin from the time of its reorganization in 1976, but had been a strong supporter of the Journal since its foundation in 1970. He was formerly Director of Fisheries Research of the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
comparability of data from different sources, the methods used should become more consistent in their interpretation of the key elements in the analytical procedures. It also urges that standardizing agencies and national water authorities consider the key elements when reviewing existing methods or developing new standard methods.
Computerized Deballasting System Specially designed valves for a computerized tanker deballasting system have recently been developed for Babock-Bristol's OTM17X system, which the company claims is the most comprehensive available. They will be installed on board tankers as part of a permanent deballasting oil content monitoring system. The pneumatically-operated valves are designed to control discharge via various outlets. They are activated by computer in response to continuous pollution level measurements to ensure acceptable dispersal patterns are maintained, in accordance with the International Maritime Organization Resolutions A393 (X) and AA496 (XII).
Increased Oil Pollution Compensation Victims of major oil pollution disasters will be able to claim greater compensation following the introduction of two new Protocols dealing with liability and compensation for oil pollution damage. By amending the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 (1969 CLC) and the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971, the amount of compensation payable to persons who suffer pollution damage from accidents involving oil tankers will be raised. The new maximum amount has been raised from the present limit of about US $63 million to more than US $200 million. The 1984 Protocols make a number of other changes to the 1969 and 1971 conventions. The most important of these is the inclusion of a new procedure for amending the liability limits, making it easier to increase the compensation payable if this is necessary in the future. The Protocols were adopted at a conference held by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at its headquarters in London. The conference also recognized the need for an international agreement on questions of liability and compensation in connection with the carriage of noxious and hazardous substances by sea. The new Protocols should enter into force in May next year, 12 months after being accepted by 10 states.
280
Non-commercial Whaling Proposals to establish a 'non-commercial' category of whaling have alarmed conservationists on a worldwide scale. A number of International Whaling Commission member nations would like to see this new category of whaling introduced, but this definition would allow a limited form of whale hunting to continue, even after the 1WC moratorium goes into effect in 1985-86. Sir Peter Scott, Chairman of the World Wildlife Fund's International Council, said: "There is no justification for any further compromise allowing continued catching of whales from depleted stocks . . . . The moratorium was already a compromise, with a three-year period of grace being given to whaling countries to scale down their operations and have time to find alternative employment for the communities involved'.' The chief proponent of the new definition is Norway, which claims that its coastal communities with traditional offshore whaling would be the main benificiaries. Other nations likely to benefit from the new category would be Brazil, Japan, Iceland and possibly Spain and Peru. The proposed category of whaling would be neither 'commercial' nor 'aboriginal-subsistence' whaling. Features of this new 'non-commercial' category might include prohibition of international trade in resulting whale products, requirements that the whaling boats be owner-operated, and that the owners be dependent on fishing for a major portion of their income. The moratorium on commercial whaling, which is to begin in less than two years, is designed to allow scientists from IWC countries and other nations to continue scientific research on whale stocks. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are urging IWC member nations to allow the world's whales to be given a chance to recover until their future can be safeguarded.
Correction Marine Pollution Bulletin's news report from New Scientist article by Catherine Caulfield (Mar. Pollut. Bull., 1984, 15, 205) referred to 66 tonnes of arsenic dumped in the North Sea from incinerator ships. This should have read 66 kilograms.
Dr H. A. Cole We very much regret to announce the death of Dr H. A. Cole on 23 July 1984. He was a member of the Editorial Board and a frequent contributor to the Marine Pollution Bulletin from the time of its reorganization in 1976, but had been a strong supporter of the Journal since its foundation in 1970. He was formerly Director of Fisheries Research of the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.