Marine protected areas for whales, dolphins, and porpoises: a world ...

Ocean Sanctuaries, Marine Reserves or Parks? 47
cetacean species in the marine areas of the EC; and Annex V (Animal and plant species
of community interest whose taking in the wild and exploitation may be subject to
management measures).
• Natura 2000 is the programme to create a network of protected areas across the entire
European Community.
• The EU Habitats and Species Directive provides a first framework for the protection of
coastal and marine wildlife. However, the protection afforded to the offshore, pelagic and
deep-sea marine environment in this context is extremely limited.
HELCOM or Helsinki • This 1992 convention protects Baltic marine waters from pollution partly through creating • web: www.helcom.fi
Convention – Convention for the a system of marine and coastal protected areas.
Protection of the Baltic • Signed by countries bordering the Baltic Sea and by the European Community, HELCOM
Environment against All Forms stipulates that all contracting parties must establish a system of coastal and marine
of Pollution protected areas. Environmental Action Programme has guidelines for offshore protected
Baltic Sea: national waters to areas in the Baltic Sea.
EEZ limits and possibly high seas
ICRW – International Convention • Signed in Washington, DC, December 1946 and in force since 10 November 1948, ICRW • web: www.iwcoffice.org
for the Regulation of Whaling currently has more than 40 nation members who are parties to the convention and belong to
(convention responsible for the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
establishing the International • According to ICRW, whale species are protected from overfishing, but there is debate over
Whaling Commission – IWC) the definition of ‘whale’ and whether it includes small cetaceans.
World Ocean: high seas • The convention provides for the adoption of regulations designed to open and close waters,
including the designation of sanctuaries on the high seas where no whaling is allowed,
under Article V of the Convention. Approval of a sanctuary through an amendment to the
schedule requires a 3/4 majority vote. Currently, two ocean sanctuaries are in place: the
Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean.
• IWC sanctuaries only prohibit whaling although there is evidence that these sanctuaries
have promoted other conservation measures and research. Perhaps most useful, this
agreement provides precedent, since 1946, of nations working together on the high seas.
MARPOL Agreement – • Drafted 1973 and in force since 1978, IMO is a UN forum on shipping issues which formulates • MPA News (2002a) details PSSAs vs
International Convention for the international regulations on shipping. ATBAs and tells how to apply for
Prevention of Pollution from • IMO recognizes its responsibilities to limit the adverse environmental impacts from PSSA designation;
Ships, put into practice by IMO – shipping. IMO can designate Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs) within EEZs or on the web: cwss.www.de/news/