disposal and treatment of waste and other measures to prevent or reduce pollution caused by dumping; The parties will also encourage, within the framework of the relevant international organization, the codification of signals to be used by dumping vessels. The London Convention consists of 22 articles and three annexes. It adopts a “blacklist/grey” approach to regulating marine dumping; Schedule I materials (black list) generally cannot be put to sea (although some Schedule I materials may be dumped if they are only “contaminant traces” or “rapidly harmless” and The materials in Schedule II (grey list) “require special attention.” Appendix III contains general technical elements that must be taken into account when establishing criteria for issuing ocean landfill authorizations. In 1996, the “London Protocol” was adopted to further modernize and replace the Convention. The protocol prohibits any discharge, with the exception of waste that may be acceptable on the “reverse list.” The protocol came into force on March 24, 2006 and currently has 53 parties to the protocol. The main objective of the London Convention is to prevent the indiscriminate disposal of waste at sea that could be responsible for risks to human health; damage to living resources and marine life; Harmful amenities or disrupt other legitimate uses of the sea. The 1972 Convention extends its scope to “all marine waters other than inland waters” of states and prohibits the introduction of certain hazardous substances. Special prior authorization is also required for the introduction of a number of other identified materials and prior general approval for other waste or substances. [3] issues necessary special authorizations before the dumping of the substances listed in Schedule II and in the circumstances provided for in Article V, paragraph 2; The 1996 Protocol effectively shifted the scope of the London Convention with regard to political and management issues of landfilling of land and marine waste. Elements such as codifying the precautionary approach and defining requirements such as waste prevention audits, identifying and controlling sources of contamination of certain materials, as well as cooperation with local and national competent authorities involved in monitoring pollution from points and non-points sources, are for example. In this context, Integrated Coastal Management (ICD) provides a natural framework for the effective implementation of the protocol`s objectives. The National Ocean Service (NOS) will build on the broad technical expertise of the IGM and contribute to the creation of the necessary foundations for the United States` adherence to the 1996 Protocol and, beyond that, to the implementation of the protocol.
Through its International Programme Office, NOS would also contribute to international cooperation efforts to achieve the objectives of the 1996 Protocol.