International Marine Issues
Number 2
Environment Australia, June 2002
Outcomes From the 25th Session of the Scientific Group to the London Convention and the LC/IMO/UNEP Workshop On Marine Pollution Prevention And Environmental Management In Ports In The Wider Caribbean Region
Environment Australia (EA) has prepared this newsletter to provide AAPMA members and industry generally with information about Australia's participation at London Convention meetings. A short background to the London Convention and the 1996 Protocol can be found in the previous Newsletter – the first in this series.
The 25th Session of the Scientific Group to the Consultative Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (the London Convention), was held in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, from 27 to 31 May 2002.
The meeting was attended by delegations from 17 contracting Parties, one associate member of the International Maritime Organization, three non-contracting parties and several international NGOs including the International Association of Ports and Harbours, World Organisation of Dredging Associations, the Permanent International Association of Navigation Congress.
Major issues for Australia included:
Australia undertook to provide information on the recently released National Ocean Disposal Guidelines for Dredged Material and on its use of bioassays to determine the suitability of dredged material for disposal at sea. Australia also contributed, through the working groups, to the development of the Guidance documents and presented its experiences on the phase out of dumping at sea of the industrial residue "Jarosite".
The meeting was well run and provided an excellent forum to advance thinking on the characterisation of dredged material particularly those based on bioassays. Discussions also focused on Action Levels used around the globe and it was evident that this needs to be further developed by the group in the future if a harmonized approach is to be pursued.
The outcomes of the meeting are set out below.
The Scientific Group approved the draft Waste Assessment Guidance on Sampling for dredged material that was prepared jointly by Canada and the United States with input from Australia. The Guidance document will be forwarded for adoption to the 24th session of the CM, which will be held in London, 11-15 November 2002.
The Scientific Group also considered the draft Generic Guidelines for the Selection of Physical, Chemical and Biological Parameters for the Assessment Dredged Material prepared by Intersessional Correspondence Group led by Germany. Australia provided input to several chapters in the document. Further development of the text will be undertaken by the Intersessional Correspondence Group and it is intended that a final draft be submitted for consideration at the 26TH session of the Scientific Group.
Both guidance documents are intended for those with limited experience in sampling and analysis of dredged material. This is of critical importance for compliance activities with both the Convention and the 1996 Protocol, and in respect of technical co-operation issues under the Convention. Once adopted by the Consultative Meeting, the documents will be amalgamated and be made available on the London Convention Web-Site.
There was extensive discussion on the continued dumping of bauxite residue by Japan. The Scientific Group was not convinced by evidence presented, however, and concern was expressed regarding the origin, the fate and environmental impact of contaminants in the material. The Scientific Group subsequently requested Japan to further conduct a range of physical and biological impact assessments and to report these results to the next meeting of the SG. In agreeing to these requests, Japan confirmed its intention to reduce volumes and ultimately eliminate the need for ocean disposal.
The Scientific Group recognised that, despite continuing funding constraints, the Office of the London Convention had achieved a considerable amount in delivering technical cooperation and assistance in the past years, in particular, through four successful biannual regional workshops, several country specific projects and the development of training and guidance documents. However it was agreed that more necessary work could be done if the office was better resourced.
In the context of the future work plan, the Scientific Group established a heavy future work program with a series of time bound targets. The program includes the development of guidance on Action Levels; a Regional Workshop either in Africa (Kenya) or Asia (Japan) and more discussions on monitoring in the marine environment through a Science Day.
The Scientific Group meeting included an informal day of scientific presentations on the design and application of bioassays for the characterisation of dredged material. The presentations highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of testing regimes used in several countries and caution must be exercised in interpreting results.
A similar "Science Day" will be devoted to monitoring of the marine environment at the next Scientific Group meeting.
Australian industry was unfortunately unable to attend this meeting. However Environment Australia is keen to continue industry representation on the Australian Delegation at future meetings of the Scientific Group.
The next meeting of the Scientific Group will be held in London in May 2003.
LC/IMO/UNEP Workshop On Marine Pollution Prevention And Environmental Management In Ports In The Wider Caribbean Region
As you may be aware a Workshop on Marine Pollution Prevention and Environmental Management in Ports in the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR) was held in the week prior to the Scientific Group Meeting. The Workshop was also held in Ocho Rios and was attended by some 87 representatives /participants from 22 countries.
There was a strong presence from the UNEP Regional Environment Programme, which is based in Kingston, Jamaica and is the secretariat for the Cartagena Convention, an environmental agreement developed by and for countries in the Wider Caribbean Region.
The programme for the week started with a series scene setting keynote addresses. Papers focused on the legal framework for marine pollution management (London Convention, MARPOL 73/78, UNEP/GPA, Cartagena Convention), Environmental Management in Ports and Waste Management in the Wider Caribbean Region. Australia's presentation on contamination and management of TBT's in ports was well received.
The second day was spent almost entirely on Waste Assessment Guidance, while the fourth day was spent on various aspects of dredged material management, dumping of bulky materials and industrial waste, and, sewage management. On the third day a field trip to Kingston Harbour was undertaken. The Harbour was undergoing a major dredge operation using the largest dredge in the world and included visits to several reclamation areas and the container port facilities.
The Workshop programme then provided opportunities for countries in the WCR to present case studies of particular relevance to the region. Countries were enthusiastic and studies were presented throughout the remaining days of the Workshop with some scheduled items giving way to interesting ad-hoc discussions that originated from within the plenary sessions and continued on into the night.
These ad-hoc discussions led to the production of very useful recommendations for the region. A copy of the draft recommendations can be obtained from the author of this Newsletter, refer below. Another ad-hoc group discussed ballast water in the WCR and the upcoming negotiations on the draft International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments that is scheduled for completion at the end of 2003.
For further details, including any papers presented at the Jamaica Workshop or at the 25th Scientific Group Meeting can be obtained from Mr Edward Kleverlaan, Marine and International Section, Department of the Environment and Heritage (email: edward.kleverlaan@deh.gov.au) telephone: (02) 6274 1750, fax: (02) 6274 1006.