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Tte Envirannrantal Areasmcnt component aims to provide a scientific basie for the
implementation of the other components of the Plen. This includes activities to determine the
quality of the marine environrnent and coestel areas through the study of the preduninant
pollutants in the region in all their aspects (sources, coneentration, dispersion, persistence,
ef f ects, transf ormetions).
Tl]e Jirst step in this component is to gtandardize nethodologies in the region and to
promote efficiency in the research institutions, in particular by incorporating activities for
training personnel in every programme.
This component also cells for ecological studies in areas of special interest (mangrove
swampsr coastal lagoons, estuaries, areas for species reproduction, etc.), as a basis for
evaluating the effects of pollutants.
The Envirmmcntel Managarncnt component focuses sr the formulation and ryplication
of programmes to pteventr monitor, reduce and control the pollution of the marine
environment and coestal areas, whatever the pollutants.
This component includes the preparation of standards for the discharge of domestic,
miningr industrial and agricultural wastes as well as of criteria m waler quali[y for different
u8e8.
It likewise includes assistance to the governrnents to establish or strengthen their
institutional capabilities and the co-ordination rnechanisms fon adequate environmental
management, including personnel training for such activities.
The Legal Companent seeks to establish the legal framework for the protection of the
marine environment and coastal areas, as well as to ensure the necessary implementation.
Several activities in this legal component are foreseen: analysis of the legal institutions
provided for in the United Nations Convention m the Law of the Sea that are 6oncerned with
the protection and preservation of Lhe marine environrnent, and their regional application;
promulgation or modification of national legislation for the applicatiori of the'regionai
agreements adopted in Lima in 1981, toqether with the Action Plan and others that mly be
adopted in the future; maintenance of an updated register of national Iegislation related to
the zubjects of the Action Phn; advice Bo the governnents on the application of other
international agreenrents for the protection of tht marine environrnent to which they are
party (e.9.' IMO Cmventions); adoption of complementary protocols such as on pollution of
the marine environment from land sources; pollution as result of the exploration and
exploitation of the Continental Shelf; responsibility and compensation for damages dle to the
pollution of the marine environmentl scientif ic and technical co-qeration; and special
protected areas.
The Inrtitutiond end Financid Arrengements component defines the institutional
structure end the mechanisms for co-ordination of the Action Plan, as well as the means for
its financing. The institutional structure includes:
- Tfn General Authority (Autonidad General, AG) of the Action Plan, with representatives of
the governnents (intergovernmental meetings), responsible for the evaluation of lhe
progre$ of the Action Plan, the approval of the proqrammes and their financing;
- The Conerltativa Group (Grupo Cmsultivo, GC), constituted by experts nominated by the
governncnts to analyee and to give advice on the scientific and technical aspecis of
the Plan;
- The Rcaimal Co-ordinetion Unit (Unidad Coordinadora Regionat, UCR), which is the
General Secretariat of the Permanent Cornmission of tnJ Soulrr pacific, and which
handbs relations with nationel focal points and international organizations;
- The Nationd Focel Pointe (Punto Focal Nacional, pFN), one in each country, responsible for
bhe co-ordinetion of the programmes within the country and for liaison with-the uCR; and
- The Natimal lrutitutime (Irntituciones Nacionales, lN), which are appointed by the
governrEnts [o execute specific technical work under the Action Plan.