International Ocean Institute Training Programme

UNEP(OCA)/LBA/IG.2/7
Page 53
135. Anthropogenic modifications to sediment mobilization and sedimentation are made by, inter
alia, construction activities, forestry operations, agricultural practices, mining practices, hydrological
modifications, dredging activities, and coastal erosion. Effects are generally local in nature, but
transboundary implications may occur in some areas where major river systems form a common
border and where littoral currents carry inputs across international boundaries.
2. Objective/proposed target
136. The objective/proposed target is to reduce, control and prevent the degradation of the marine
environment due to changes in coastal erosion and siltation caused by human activities.
(a) National actions, policies and measures
3. Activities
137. Actions, policies and measures of States within their capacities should include:
(a) Development and implementation of environmentally sound land-use practices to control
sediment discharges to watercourses and estuaries which cause degradation of the marine
environment;
(b) Establishment of measures to control, reduce and prevent coastal erosion and siltation due
to anthropogenic factors such as land-use, including coastal mining and construction practices,
while ensuring that natural erosion supplying sedimentary habitats is not impeded;
(c) Introduction of watershed management and land-use practices to prevent, control and
reduce degradation of the marine environment due to anthropogenic changes in sediment loads and
contamination of sediments;
(d) Application of practices developed under existing international regulations to prevent
marine pollution/degradation from dumping of dredged material and associated dredging
operations;
(e) Establishment or improvement of monitoring of sediment transport to the marine
environment and associated sedimentation patterns and rates;
(f) Application of environmentally sound management and storage practices for polluted
dredged material;
(g) Adoption of measures to minimize changes to natural erosion, sediment transport and
sedimentation resulting from the construction of barriers and barrages.
(b) Regional actions
138. Regional actions should include:
/…