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Impact of marine pollution on society
Book reviews
consideration of the status of organizations, particularly as to whether they shoutd be signato~es at some stage. I disagree that coastal state interests have been emphasized over those of research (pp 256 and 257). The ‘Final remarks’ summarize the changes from old to new regimes and should be compulsory reading for ail marine scientists. The question for the lawyer is how will the Convention change the customary international law which non-si~ato~ states will choose to, or have to, observe. I hope the author is incorrect in predicting that inte~ational orga~ations will fail to find a way to help scientists with problems of access. The author has written from the viewpoint of a lawyer, thus giving us a well-organized and critical account of how the legal regime has changed in the last 30 years under the influence of the International Law Commission (1951, 1953 and 1956), the Geneva Conferences on the Law of the Sea (1958 and 1960) and the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea
(1973-82). This legal approach gives more credence to the written word than scientists are accustomed to and more than the facts sometimes warrant. The book is clear and concise and is presented as a copy of the original typescript. The 19 mistakes in typing or English do not interfere with understanding. A more detailed index would be helpful, especially one giving the position of the excellent summaries and evaluations of the complex arguments. The work deserves study by lawyers, historians and administrative scientists concerned in pianning for studies outside their own waters. The marine researcher coufd usefully skim through it, if only to gain an appre~ation of the efforts others might have to make to ensure his investigations. The author is to be congratulated, especially since we receive his guidance at such a critical time.
presentation of the research results on the biological effects of discharging untreated sewage once again gives rise to much debate. Particularly timely articles deal with the control of oil pollution from ships, arguing that disasters and unilateral further measures are probably necessary to bring about the proper implementation and further development of existing Economic considerations controls. rather than environmental concern are clearly the decisive factor in many existing control regimes.
‘Political wiIl’
Concern, if not gentle despair, about how to create the ‘political will’ and public support necessary for the continued study and protection of the ocean pervades the book, for it is clear to the participants that the oceans will be used increasingly for waste disposal. George Humphrey The urgent need for more and better marine biochemists Unit cost-benefit studies is persuasively CSIRO, Sydney University demonstrated. Australia Another issue often touched upon is the uneasy relationship between policy makers and scientists. More communication and much more interdi~p~n~ work is called for, but no agreement on improved (US) institutional frametackled elsewhere, eg in the UK or works for achieving this emerges. IMPACT OF MARINE POLLUTION Japan, must weaken its appeal. The There was consensus, however, on the ON SOCIEfy desirability of a ‘balanced approach to lengthy description of international control and research efforts is, given waste management’, ie on considering edited by Virginia K. lippie and Dana their extent and achievements, neces- terrestrial and marine options side by R. Kester sarily somewhat superficial. And it is side. Wbether this approach is also surely a little naive politically to imply compatible with the greater federal and Centre for Ocean Studies, Praeger, powers also called that the lack of precision in existing even intemational beg York* 1982,313 pp, $27.95 The international treaties is due to for in the book is doubtful This book is a record of a conference su~estion that waste should be negligence or error. Wide-ran~ng “disaggregated’ prior to held at the University of Rhode Island, debates on ocean policy are well properly presumably in 1981, by the Centre for documented an approach which runs and clearly originate in disposal, counter to current practice, Ocean Management Studies. It the present retreat from the ambitious is includes invited papers as well as the environmental applauded. No agreement appeared to goals of the 1970s. discussions these gave rise to. There is results of Francoexist in the debate about the superior Preliminary American studies on the biological and effectiveness of economic incentives as no index, which is surely unforgiveable in a book of this price. This is a book for economic effects of the Amoco Cudiz distinct from ‘command and control control, economists still the expert - both practioner and disaster are reported and once again pollution theorist - dealing with the various establish the astonishing toughness of lacking the necessary evidence and data to make their case nature to survive such accidents, as well basic aspects of en~ro~ental protection: sufficiently convincing. as the high human costs. The encouragpoliticaf, economic as well as scientific. The state of pollution research It is not a ‘digested’ study of the ing results of ‘capping’ experiments, ie promised topic, but rather a case study the burial of toxic wastes dumped on arouses concern, for to quote J. Walsh on the affects of contamination and the in itself of the state of marine protec- the ocean floor by uncontaminated off New England, are ocean ‘the ignorance that pervades this tion, primarily in the USA. The lack of material reports on how similar problems are described in great detail. The clear whole area’ remains, in spite of the
Ending environmental
130
ignorance
MARINE POLICY April 1983
Book reviews
clear need for more quantitative judgments about the assimilative capacity of the ocean. Yet, according to M. Waldichuk, the scientific community is losing interest in environmental research even though ‘we are not much further ahead today in understanding many of the problems of marine pollution than we were in 1970’. The numerous and delightfully abbreviated international cooperative research programmes eg GELTSPAR, GEMSI, MAPMAPP and PRIMA, to name only very few - are possible only if based on well-supported national efforts. On the other hand, as C.S. Russel correctly warns, it is futile to search for the ‘Holy Grail of the scientificaby best answer’, pollution control decisions will necessarily remain political, taken conditions of considerable in uncertainty. Numerous cases mentioned in the book clearly show how human groups use nature for their own ends when attempting to gain compensation for damages or to avert losses to themselves. Science will be used against science in battles over the distribution of values which may take place in the name of ecology. Scientists, lawyers and administrators must be aware of this.
Questions For the ecologist this book raises many questions. Is secondary treatment of sewage which results in the discharge of ‘clean albeit chlorinated’ effluent really progress? (In Munich much work is being done on the agricultural use of sewage sludge.) Are the strict controls on the discharge of cadmium rational when the cause of the problem (in the USA at least) remains; namely outdated military regulations about the cadmium plating of all equipment to be stored outdoors? The contributor who praises the now much cleaner Thames seemed unaware that this was achieved by dumping the resulting sludge not very far away into the North Sea; sludge pretty ‘rich in PBCs, for example. On the other hand, is the decision by Los Angeles not to discharge untreated sewage (and much else) into the Pacific to be applauded if the decision was brought about by
MARINEPOLICYApril1983
financial considerations, (the obtaining in the sea, and marine ecological not only function very of federal grants) rather than systems persuasive ecological evidence about differently from terrestrial ones, but are also capable of putting up with harm done? The major conclusion this reviewer certain types and levels of contamindraws from the assembled data and ation before ‘flipping’ into something else. ‘We need to be able to measure views is that an informed environthe change and the point at which the mental ocean lobby (Greenpeace please listen) is as necessary, if not system flips’, argues J.H. Steele, ‘and more necesary, than before, but that it do it in such a way that we can end up on whichever side we choose’. must at this stage ask for the acquisition of more knowledge, scientific as well as Sonja Boehmer-Christiansen economic and social, rather than the Institute fiir Wkerrecht imposition of more controls. Pollutants Ludwig-MaxImiliansextremely harmful on land do not Ur7ivetsiti9 ~unc~en necessarily become biologically active
Nothing to lose but their nets MODERNIZATION AND MARINE FISHERIES POLICY edited by John Fi. Maiolo and Michael K. Orbach Ann Arbor Science, Ann Arbor, Ml, 1982,330 pp, f25 One does not need to read more than two pages of this book to realize that, in what it describes as ‘the application of sociological and anthropological perspectives to the study of marine resources’, the term ‘modernization’ used in the title refers entirely to the social process of change. Modemization thus encompasses concepts of acculturation, ie the adoption of values and beliefs which, to paraphrase, are relevant when the status of the traditional small-scale fisherman changes because of tec~oio~~ development and when ‘his surplus value is expropriated’ because he is forced to sell his labour to modem fishing capitalists. The analytic framework of most of this book is thus clearly established. Eleven papers are included, written mainly by anthropologists, which were given at a Symposium at East Carolina University. Three of these discuss the dynamics of modernization within the framework of class struggle. Where the papers are discussed on the basis of a country study, the geographic and historic perspectives are
wide. Three concern Newfoundland, one considers the continuing state of small-scale fisheries in Barbados, another takes ‘a birds-eye view of fisheries development in Scandinavia over the last two centuries’. Another traces the efforts of infrastructure investment on coastal communities in North Carolina since the 18th century. A paper on the Fanti of Ghana, based on out-of-date material (1950) and more recent data which is incomplete and to a large extent inaccurate as regards 1982, attempts to trace the impact of the outboard motor on a traditional fishing economy. Kinship Two papers are of more general interest. One examines the role of kinship in fishing occupations and shows that there is a greater potential for social stratification and inequality when fisheries are based on individual entrepreneurship rather than cooperatives and kinship groups. However, many obstacles (and one or two of them are discussed here) inhibit the success of cooperatives unless, so it is claimed, they are formed around a kinship core. Another paper attacks the standard work by Crutchfield and Pontecorvo on Pacific Salmon claiming it to be inadequate in its ‘conceptualisation of the relationship between labour and 131
consideration of the status of organizations, particularly as to whether they shoutd be signato~es at some stage. I disagree that coastal state interests have been emphasized over those of research (pp 256 and 257). The ‘Final remarks’ summarize the changes from old to new regimes and should be compulsory reading for ail marine scientists. The question for the lawyer is how will the Convention change the customary international law which non-si~ato~ states will choose to, or have to, observe. I hope the author is incorrect in predicting that inte~ational orga~ations will fail to find a way to help scientists with problems of access. The author has written from the viewpoint of a lawyer, thus giving us a well-organized and critical account of how the legal regime has changed in the last 30 years under the influence of the International Law Commission (1951, 1953 and 1956), the Geneva Conferences on the Law of the Sea (1958 and 1960) and the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea
(1973-82). This legal approach gives more credence to the written word than scientists are accustomed to and more than the facts sometimes warrant. The book is clear and concise and is presented as a copy of the original typescript. The 19 mistakes in typing or English do not interfere with understanding. A more detailed index would be helpful, especially one giving the position of the excellent summaries and evaluations of the complex arguments. The work deserves study by lawyers, historians and administrative scientists concerned in pianning for studies outside their own waters. The marine researcher coufd usefully skim through it, if only to gain an appre~ation of the efforts others might have to make to ensure his investigations. The author is to be congratulated, especially since we receive his guidance at such a critical time.
presentation of the research results on the biological effects of discharging untreated sewage once again gives rise to much debate. Particularly timely articles deal with the control of oil pollution from ships, arguing that disasters and unilateral further measures are probably necessary to bring about the proper implementation and further development of existing Economic considerations controls. rather than environmental concern are clearly the decisive factor in many existing control regimes.
‘Political wiIl’
Concern, if not gentle despair, about how to create the ‘political will’ and public support necessary for the continued study and protection of the ocean pervades the book, for it is clear to the participants that the oceans will be used increasingly for waste disposal. George Humphrey The urgent need for more and better marine biochemists Unit cost-benefit studies is persuasively CSIRO, Sydney University demonstrated. Australia Another issue often touched upon is the uneasy relationship between policy makers and scientists. More communication and much more interdi~p~n~ work is called for, but no agreement on improved (US) institutional frametackled elsewhere, eg in the UK or works for achieving this emerges. IMPACT OF MARINE POLLUTION Japan, must weaken its appeal. The There was consensus, however, on the ON SOCIEfy desirability of a ‘balanced approach to lengthy description of international control and research efforts is, given waste management’, ie on considering edited by Virginia K. lippie and Dana their extent and achievements, neces- terrestrial and marine options side by R. Kester sarily somewhat superficial. And it is side. Wbether this approach is also surely a little naive politically to imply compatible with the greater federal and Centre for Ocean Studies, Praeger, powers also called that the lack of precision in existing even intemational beg York* 1982,313 pp, $27.95 The international treaties is due to for in the book is doubtful This book is a record of a conference su~estion that waste should be negligence or error. Wide-ran~ng “disaggregated’ prior to held at the University of Rhode Island, debates on ocean policy are well properly presumably in 1981, by the Centre for documented an approach which runs and clearly originate in disposal, counter to current practice, Ocean Management Studies. It the present retreat from the ambitious is includes invited papers as well as the environmental applauded. No agreement appeared to goals of the 1970s. discussions these gave rise to. There is results of Francoexist in the debate about the superior Preliminary American studies on the biological and effectiveness of economic incentives as no index, which is surely unforgiveable in a book of this price. This is a book for economic effects of the Amoco Cudiz distinct from ‘command and control control, economists still the expert - both practioner and disaster are reported and once again pollution theorist - dealing with the various establish the astonishing toughness of lacking the necessary evidence and data to make their case nature to survive such accidents, as well basic aspects of en~ro~ental protection: sufficiently convincing. as the high human costs. The encouragpoliticaf, economic as well as scientific. The state of pollution research It is not a ‘digested’ study of the ing results of ‘capping’ experiments, ie promised topic, but rather a case study the burial of toxic wastes dumped on arouses concern, for to quote J. Walsh on the affects of contamination and the in itself of the state of marine protec- the ocean floor by uncontaminated off New England, are ocean ‘the ignorance that pervades this tion, primarily in the USA. The lack of material reports on how similar problems are described in great detail. The clear whole area’ remains, in spite of the
Ending environmental
130
ignorance
MARINE POLICY April 1983
Book reviews
clear need for more quantitative judgments about the assimilative capacity of the ocean. Yet, according to M. Waldichuk, the scientific community is losing interest in environmental research even though ‘we are not much further ahead today in understanding many of the problems of marine pollution than we were in 1970’. The numerous and delightfully abbreviated international cooperative research programmes eg GELTSPAR, GEMSI, MAPMAPP and PRIMA, to name only very few - are possible only if based on well-supported national efforts. On the other hand, as C.S. Russel correctly warns, it is futile to search for the ‘Holy Grail of the scientificaby best answer’, pollution control decisions will necessarily remain political, taken conditions of considerable in uncertainty. Numerous cases mentioned in the book clearly show how human groups use nature for their own ends when attempting to gain compensation for damages or to avert losses to themselves. Science will be used against science in battles over the distribution of values which may take place in the name of ecology. Scientists, lawyers and administrators must be aware of this.
Questions For the ecologist this book raises many questions. Is secondary treatment of sewage which results in the discharge of ‘clean albeit chlorinated’ effluent really progress? (In Munich much work is being done on the agricultural use of sewage sludge.) Are the strict controls on the discharge of cadmium rational when the cause of the problem (in the USA at least) remains; namely outdated military regulations about the cadmium plating of all equipment to be stored outdoors? The contributor who praises the now much cleaner Thames seemed unaware that this was achieved by dumping the resulting sludge not very far away into the North Sea; sludge pretty ‘rich in PBCs, for example. On the other hand, is the decision by Los Angeles not to discharge untreated sewage (and much else) into the Pacific to be applauded if the decision was brought about by
MARINEPOLICYApril1983
financial considerations, (the obtaining in the sea, and marine ecological not only function very of federal grants) rather than systems persuasive ecological evidence about differently from terrestrial ones, but are also capable of putting up with harm done? The major conclusion this reviewer certain types and levels of contamindraws from the assembled data and ation before ‘flipping’ into something else. ‘We need to be able to measure views is that an informed environthe change and the point at which the mental ocean lobby (Greenpeace please listen) is as necessary, if not system flips’, argues J.H. Steele, ‘and more necesary, than before, but that it do it in such a way that we can end up on whichever side we choose’. must at this stage ask for the acquisition of more knowledge, scientific as well as Sonja Boehmer-Christiansen economic and social, rather than the Institute fiir Wkerrecht imposition of more controls. Pollutants Ludwig-MaxImiliansextremely harmful on land do not Ur7ivetsiti9 ~unc~en necessarily become biologically active
Nothing to lose but their nets MODERNIZATION AND MARINE FISHERIES POLICY edited by John Fi. Maiolo and Michael K. Orbach Ann Arbor Science, Ann Arbor, Ml, 1982,330 pp, f25 One does not need to read more than two pages of this book to realize that, in what it describes as ‘the application of sociological and anthropological perspectives to the study of marine resources’, the term ‘modernization’ used in the title refers entirely to the social process of change. Modemization thus encompasses concepts of acculturation, ie the adoption of values and beliefs which, to paraphrase, are relevant when the status of the traditional small-scale fisherman changes because of tec~oio~~ development and when ‘his surplus value is expropriated’ because he is forced to sell his labour to modem fishing capitalists. The analytic framework of most of this book is thus clearly established. Eleven papers are included, written mainly by anthropologists, which were given at a Symposium at East Carolina University. Three of these discuss the dynamics of modernization within the framework of class struggle. Where the papers are discussed on the basis of a country study, the geographic and historic perspectives are
wide. Three concern Newfoundland, one considers the continuing state of small-scale fisheries in Barbados, another takes ‘a birds-eye view of fisheries development in Scandinavia over the last two centuries’. Another traces the efforts of infrastructure investment on coastal communities in North Carolina since the 18th century. A paper on the Fanti of Ghana, based on out-of-date material (1950) and more recent data which is incomplete and to a large extent inaccurate as regards 1982, attempts to trace the impact of the outboard motor on a traditional fishing economy. Kinship Two papers are of more general interest. One examines the role of kinship in fishing occupations and shows that there is a greater potential for social stratification and inequality when fisheries are based on individual entrepreneurship rather than cooperatives and kinship groups. However, many obstacles (and one or two of them are discussed here) inhibit the success of cooperatives unless, so it is claimed, they are formed around a kinship core. Another paper attacks the standard work by Crutchfield and Pontecorvo on Pacific Salmon claiming it to be inadequate in its ‘conceptualisation of the relationship between labour and 131