International Ocean Institute Training Programme

B) Data and information
17.35. States should, as appropriate, and in accordance with the means at their disposal
and with due regard for their technical and scientific capacity and resources, make
systematic observations on the state of the marine environment. To this end, States
should, as appropriate, consider:
(a) Establishing systematic observation systems to measure marine environmental
quality, including causes and effects of marine degradation, as a basis for management;
(b) Regularly exchanging information on marine degradation caused by land-based and
sea-based activities and on actions to prevent, control and reduce such degradation;
(c) Supporting and expanding international programmes for systematic observations such
as the mussel watch programme, building on existing facilities with special attention to
developing countries;
(d) Establishing a clearing-house on marine pollution control information, including
processes and technologies to address marine pollution control and to support their
transfer to developing countries and other countries with demonstrated needs;
(e) Establishing a global profile and database providing information on the sources,
types, amounts and effects of pollutants reaching the marine environment from landbased
activities in coastal areas and sea-based sources;
(f) Allocating adequate funding for capacity-building and training programmes to ensure
the full participation of developing countries, in particular, in any international scheme
under the organs and organizations of the United Nations system for the collection,
analysis and use of data and information.
Means of implementation
A) Financing and cost evaluation
17.36. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual cost (1993-
2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be about $200 million from the
international community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and orderof-magnitude
estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments. Actual costs
and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, will depend upon, inter alia,
the specific strategies and programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.
B) Scientific and technological means
17.37. National, subregional and regional action programmes will, where appropriate,
require technology transfer, in conformity with chapter 34, and financial resources,
particularly where developing countries are concerned, including:
(a) Assistance to industries in identifying and adopting clean production or cost-effective
pollution control technologies;
(b) Planning development and application of low-cost and low-maintenance sewage