south pacific regional environment programme po box 240

© South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, 1999.The South Pacific Regional Environment Programmeauthorises the reproduction of this material, whole or inpart, in any form provided appropriateacknowledgement is given.

Original Text: English

SPREP Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

Pacific Ocean Pollution Prevention Programme (PACPOL) :Strategy and Workplan. – Apia, Samoa : SPREP, 1999.

xi, 67 p. ; 29 cm

ISBN: 982-04-0202-6

1. Marine pollution. 2. Pollution – Environmental aspects. 3.Environmental monitoring. 4. Environmental protection. I. SouthPacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). II. Pacific OceanPollution Prevention Programme (PACPOL).

574.52

Published in October 1999 by theSouth Pacific Regional Environment ProgrammePO Box 240Apia, SamoaEmail: [email protected]: http://www.sprep.org.ws

Produced by SPREP’s Waste Management, Pollution Prevention andEmergencies Programme with assistance from the CanadianInternational Development Agency which funded the developmentof PACPOL through the Canada–South Pacific Ocean DevelopmentProgram Phase II (C–SPOD)

Edited and designed by SPREP’s Publication UnitManuscript editor: Ms Yani Silvana

Cover photos produced courtesy of: Peter Bennets, IMO, andGBRMPA

Typeset in 11/14 Times New RomanPrinted on 100 gsm cottonwood text (100% recycled paper) byQuality Print LtdSuva, Fiji

Pacific OceanPollution Prevention Programme

Strategy and Workplan

Ocean realm

“The Pacific islands maintain resource access rights and management responsibilities over 30 million squarekilometres of ocean—equivalent to the combined land areas of Canada, China and the USA. The total populationof the Pacific islands is only 6.7 million people, and only 2.6 million if the largely inland population of Papua NewGuinea is excluded. There are at least 11 square kilometres of ocean for each and every (non-Papua New Guinea)Pacific islander. Jurisdictionally, the sea is nearly 200 times more significant to the average Pacific islander thanit is to the average global citizen.” (Adams et al 1995)

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PACPOL Strategy and Workplan iv

FOREWORD

In a region comprised almostentirely of ocean, the health ofthe marine environment is fun-damental to the health of allaspects of the entire Pacific is-lands region. Marine pollutionis recognised as one of the

In the Pacific islands, as elsewhere, it is vital that pro-grammes such as PACPOL are developed using abottom-up approach, where the needs and prioritiesof the recipient countries are clearly identified andeffectively addressed. Every effort has been made toachieve this during the development of PACPOL.

The support and involvement of the shipping, port,oil and waste management industries is also vital tothe successful implementation of such a programme.Accordingly, PACPOL seeks links between govern-ments and industry in order to address marine pollu-tion in the region.

The importance of coastal and marine environmentsto every aspect of the lives of Pacific islanders can-not be overstated, and the impacts of pollution con-stitute a major concern for Pacific island peoples.

The importance of shipping to the Pacific islands alsocan not be overstated. Shipping is the major form oftransport for the delivery and export of goods andmaterials in the region, and is fundamental to the con-duct of modern economies in Pacific island countries.The ongoing development of the shipping industrymust be fostered, whilst also ensuring that preciouscoastal and marine environments are not compromisedby shipping activities.

PACPOL presents a significant opportunity for Pa-cific island countries to take a major step forward toprotect our ocean from marine pollution. It was en-dorsed and approved by all SPREP member coun-tries at the tenth SPREP intergovernmental meetingin Apia, September 1998. We commend this impor-tant programme to all stakeholders.

three major threats to the world’s oceans, along withhabitat destruction and over-exploitation of marineresources.

Over 50 per cent of marine pollution comes from land-based sources. Priority must be given to improvingland-use management and the management of wastes,chemicals and other pollutants on land that can im-pact on marine environments.

The United Nations Environment Programme’s(UNEP) Global Programme of Action for the Protec-tion of the Marine Environment from Land-basedActivities (GPA), provides an international frameworkto address land-based sources of marine pollution. TheSouth Pacific Regional Environment Programme(SPREP) is responsible for coordinating the GPA inthe Pacific islands region.

While it is estimated that less than 20 per cent ofmarine pollution comes from ship-based sources, theenvironmental impacts of shipping can be severe. TheIMO coordinates the international framework to ad-dress shipping safety and ship-sourced marine pollu-tion, in accordance with the broad aims of “Safer Ship-ping–Cleaner Oceans”.

As a regional subset of IMO’s global efforts and inpart to implement the Convention for the Protectionof the Natural Resources and Environment of theSouth Pacific Region and related protocols (SPREPConvention), SPREP has prepared the Pacific OceanPollution Prevention Programme (PACPOL).PACPOL aims specifically to address ship-sourcedmarine pollution in the Pacific islands region, through,amongst other things, assisting countries to becomemembers of IMO and to implement the various IMOconventions that deal with marine pollution.

Tamari’i Tutangata William O’NeilDirector, SPREP Secretary General, IMO

v

CONTENTS

Foreword ...................................................................................................................................... iv

Acronyms .................................................................................................................................... vii

Executive Summary .................................................................................................................... ix

Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... xi

Introduction and background ..................................................................................................... 11.1 The region ....................................................................................................................................................................... 2

1.2 Shipping in the region.................................................................................................................................................. 2

1.3 Marine pollution in the region .................................................................................................................................. 3

1.4 The development of PACPOL................................................................................................................................... 3

PACPOL Strategy ........................................................................................................................ 52.1 Aim and objectives ..................................................................................................................................................... 6

2.2 Underlying principles ................................................................................................................................................ 6

2.3 Geographical scope .................................................................................................................................................... 6

2.4 Technical scope ........................................................................................................................................................... 72.4.1 Definition of ship .............................................................................................................................................. 72.4.2 Definition and types of marine pollution ..................................................................................................... 7

2.5 Institutional arrangements ...................................................................................................................................... 72.5.1 Mandate ............................................................................................................................................................ 82.5.2 Programme management and human resources ....................................................................................... 82.5.3 Funding ........................................................................................................................................................... 10

PACPOL Workplan ................................................................................................................... 153.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................... 16

3.2 Regional projects ...................................................................................................................................................... 16

3.3 Country-specific projects ....................................................................................................................................... 16

3.4 Time frame ................................................................................................................................................................. 19

References ................................................................................................................................... 21

Appendices .................................................................................................................................. 23Appendix I: Marine Pollution Conventions in SPREP Member Countries (at April 1999) ...................... 24

Appendix II: PACPOL Contacts in SPREP Member Countries and Territories (at April 1999)............. 25

Appendix III: Project Sheets for Regional Projects ................................................................................................. 28

Risk Assessment (RA) projects ....................................................................................................................................... 28Project RA1: Marine Pollution Risk Assessment for the Pacific Islands Region ............................................. 29

Education and Awareness Raising (EAR) projects ..................................................................................................... 30Project EAR 1: Visual Materials ............................................................................................................................... 31Project EAR 2: Marine Pollution Education Video ................................................................................................. 32

PACPOL Strategy and Workplan vi

Project EAR 3: Marine Pollution Education Kit for Schools .................................................................................. 33Project EAR 4: Marine Pollution Module for Tertiary Education Institutions ...................................................... 34Project EAR 5: Marine Pollution Module for Maritime Training Institutes .......................................................... 35Project EAR 6: PACPOL Media Strategy ................................................................................................................ 36

Conventions and Legislation (CL) projects ..................................................................................................................37Project CL1: Marine Pollution Legislation for Pacific Island Countries ........................................................... 38Project CL 2: Updating of the SPREP Convention Protocols ............................................................................. 39Project CL 3: Ratification/implementation of IMO Conventions ....................................................................... 40Project CL 4: Representation of the Pacific Islands Region at IMO................................................................... 41

Introduced Marine Species (IMS) projects ....................................................................................................................42Project IMS 1: Introduced Marine Species Risk Assessment for the Pacific Islands Region ............................. 43Project IMS 2: Surveys for IMS in Pacific Island Ports ......................................................................................... 44

Marine Spills (MS) projects .............................................................................................................................................45Project MS 1: Marine Spill Prevention Review..................................................................................................... 46Project MS 2: Regional and National Marine Spill Contingency Plans .............................................................. 47Project MS 3: Annual PACPOL Workshops ......................................................................................................... 48Project MS 4: Regional Spill Response Equipment Strategy ............................................................................... 49Project MS 5: Regional Marine Spill Reporting Centre (PACRep)..................................................................... 50Project MS 6: Regional Marine Pollution Surveillance System (PACPOLPatrol). ........................................... 51Project MS 7: Coastal Resource Mapping.............................................................................................................. 52Project MS 8: Marine Spill Trajectory modelling ................................................................................................. 53Project MS 9: Review of Impacts of Marine Oil Spills on Pacific Island Environments .................................. 54

Ships’ Waste (SW) projects .............................................................................................................................................55Project SW 1: Improving Ships’ Waste Management in the Pacific Islands Ports ............................................ 56Project SW 2: Coastal Clean-ups............................................................................................................................. 57

Port (PO) projects ..............................................................................................................................................................58Project P0 1: Environmental Guidelines for Pacific Island Ports ....................................................................... 59Project P0 2: Environmental Audits of Regional Oil Terminals ........................................................................ 60

Appendix IV: ......................................................................................................................................................................61

Project Sheets for Country-specific Projects ..............................................................................................................61

Project FJ 1: Suva Harbour Marine Pollution Management Plan ...................................................................... 62Project FJ 2: Vuda Point Contamination Survey ................................................................................................. 63Project FSM 1: Okat Harbour Environmental Management Plan ......................................................................... 64Project NI 1: Beveridge Reef Resource Survey ................................................................................................... 65Project SI 1: Removal of Oil from World War II Wrecks .................................................................................. 66

vii

AIP Australian Institute of Petroleum

AMSA Australian Maritime Safety Authority

ANZECC Australia New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council

APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

API American Petroleum Institute

APP Association of Pacific Ports

CIDA Canadian International Development Agency

COMSEC Commonwealth Secretariat

CMC Center for Marine Conservation

CROP Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (formerly SPOCC)

C–SPOD Canada–South Pacific Ocean Development Program Phase II

EMP Environmental Management and Planning (Division of SPREP)

FFA Forum Fisheries Agency

ForSec South Pacific Forum Secretariat

FSM Federated States of Micronesia

GEF Global Environment Facility

GESAMP (United Nations) Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of MarineProtection

GPA Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environmentfrom Land-Based Activities

IMO International Maritime Organization

INTERVENTION International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Casesof Oil Pollution Casualties 1969

ITCP Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (of IMO)

ITOPF International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation

London Convention Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastesand Other Matter 1972 as amended by the Protocol of 1996

LOS (International) Law of the Sea

MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1974 asamended by the Protocol of 1978

MPA Marine Pollution Adviser

MPPO Marine Pollution Project Officer

NATPLAN National Marine Spill Contingency Plan

NEMS National Environmental Management Strategies

OPRC International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response andCooperation 1990

ORCP Oceania Regional Contingency Plan (United States of America)

ORRT Oceania Regional Response Team (United States of America)

PACPLAN Pacific Islands Regional Marine Spill Contingency Plan

LIST OF ACRONYMS

PACPOL Strategy and Workplan viii

PACPOL Pacific Ocean Pollution Prevention Programme

PACPOLPatrol Pacific Islands Regional Marine Pollution Surveillance System

PACRep Pacific Islands Regional Marine Spill Reporting Centre

POLREP Pollution Report

RMP Regional Maritime Programme (of SPC)

SOPAC South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission

SPACHEE South Pacific Action Committee for Human Ecology and Environment

SPC Secretariat of the Pacific Community

SPREP South Pacific Regional Environment Programme

SPREP Convention Convention for the Protection of the Natural Resources and Environment ofthe South Pacific Region and related protocols

SPREP Convention Protocol for the Prevention of Pollution of the South Pacific Region by(Dumping Protocol) Dumping

SPREP Convention Protocol concerning Cooperation in Combating Pollution Emergencies in the(Pollution Protocol) South Pacific Region

SRF Ship Repair Facility

TNC The Nature Conservancy

UNCLOS United Nations Conferences on the Law of the Sea

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNEP United Nations Environment Programme

US United States (of America)

USA United States of America

USP University of the South Pacific

WWF World Wide Fund for Nature

ix

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• SPC: cooperation with its Regional MaritimeProgramme.

• SOPAC: potential collaborator and consultant.

• USP: potential collaborator and consultant.

• Regional oil and shipping industries: generalcooperation and assistance to the programme.

Countries involved

• Canada under C–SPOD Phase II: bulk funding forprogramme development and projectimplementation (see below).

• Fourteen Pacific island countries: Cook Islands,Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati,Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua NewGuinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu,Vanuatu: recipients of PACPOL assistance.

• Eight Pacific island territories: American Samoa,French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, NorthernMariana Islands, Pitcairn, Tokelau, Wallis andFutuna: linkages with PACPOL.

• Four SPREP developed country members:Australia, France, NZ, USA: supporters ofPACPOL.

Duration

• Phase I: programme development: 12 months(completed during 1998).

• Phase II: project implementation: five years (1999–2004).

Projects to be implemented

C–SPOD funding (US$660,000) for 1999–2001 cal-endar years:

• initial three-year engagement of a Pacific islandnational as Marine Pollution Project Officer, toassist the Marine Pollution Adviser; trainingposition aimed at assuming the programmemanagement function;

• completion of a marine pollution risk assessmentfor the region;

Background

As island states located within the world’s largestocean, the member countries of SPREP are over-whelmingly dependent on shipping. Despite the ben-efits and necessity of shipping, this human use of theocean can also cause a range of sometimes severeenvironmental impacts. Such impacts include (but arenot restricted to):

• introduced marine species;

• marine spills (oil and other hazardous materials);

• discharge of ships’ waste (oil, sewage and garbage);and

• impacts from the development and operation ofports.

The Pacific is particularly susceptible to shippingimpacts and has a current lack of regional and na-tional capacity to address these issues. In direct rec-ognition of this situation, SPREP has developed andis implementing PACPOL.

PACPOL’s aim is to maintain, protect and enhancethe quality of coastal and marine environments in thePacific islands region by minimising ship-sourcedmarine pollution. PACPOL seeks to achieve this aimthrough, amongst other things, assisting Pacific is-land countries to become members of the InternationalMaritime Organization (IMO) and implement IMOconventions.

Organisations involved

• SPREP: overall responsibility for development,delivery and management of the programme,through Marine Pollution Adviser.

• IMO: coordination with its global programmes andseed-funding for project implementation.

• COMSEC: funding SPREP Marine PollutionAdviser’s salary.

• FORSEC: policy coordination and cooperation withPetroleum Programme.

• FFA: cooperation with its surveillance programmeand collaboration on education/awareness raisingtargeting foreign fishing fleet.

PACPOL Strategy and Workplan x

• development of a regional marine spill contingencyplan (PACPLAN) and assistance to countries todevelop national marine spill contingency plans(NATPLANs);

• annual PACPOL regional workshops, including:− training in marine spill response (based on IMO

model course);− regional marine spill response exercise (desk-

top scenario);− regional PACPOL coordination meeting.

• establishment of a regional marine pollutionsurveillance system (PACPOLPatrol);

• marine pollution education and awareness raisingcampaigns.

IMO funding (US$220,000) for 1998–2000 calendaryears:

• funding first and assisting second annual PACPOLworkshops (ITCP project H03 RAS/97/309);

• marine pollution legislation for Pacific islandcountries (ITCP project H03 RAS/97/310);

• improving ships’ waste management in Pacificisland ports (ITCP project H03 RAS/98/317,includes US$25,000 from Australia).

SPREP in-house (some operations funding from C–SPOD budget):

• establishment of Regional Marine Spill ReportingCentre (PACRep);

• marine pollution module for tertiary educationinstitutions;

• marine pollution module for maritime traininginstitutes;

• environmental management guidelines for Pacificisland ports;

• effective representation of the region at IMO.

Currently unfunded (April 1999):

• marine pollution education video;

• marine pollution education kit for schools;

• introduced marine species risk assessment;

• surveys for introduced marine species in Pacificisland ports;

• regional spill response equipment strategy;

• coastal resource mapping;

• marine spill trajectory modelling;

• review of impacts of marine oil spills on Pacificisland environments;

• environmental audits of regional oil terminals;

• country-specific projects (as identified in thePACPOL Workplan);

• recurrent costs of administering PACPLAN andPACRep.

xi

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The following organisations and individuals arethanked for their valuable contributions to the devel-opment of PACPOL:

• The Commonwealth Secretariat for funding theposition of Marine Pollution Adviser at the SouthPacific Regional Environment Programme.

• The Canadian International Development Agencyfor funding the development of PACPOL and theimplementation of some PACPOL projects, throughthe Canada–South Pacific Ocean DevelopmentProgram Phase II (C–SPOD). C-SPOD projects arecoordinated by the South Pacific Forum Secretariatand LGL Limited, Canada. They are developed andimplemented by participating regional organisationsand ensure equality and balanced benefits for allPacific islanders.

• The International Maritime Organization forcontributing to the development of PACPOL andfor committing seed-funding for the implementationof some PACPOL projects, through the IMOIntegrated Technical Cooperation Programme(ITCP) .

• The Regional Maritime Programme of theSecretariat of the Pacific Community, the Forum

Fisheries Agency, the South Pacific AppliedGeoscience Commission, the Marine StudiesProgramme of the University of the South Pacificand the South Pacific Forum Secretariat forreviewing the draft of PACPOL and being keypartners for its implementation.

• The governments and administrations of all SPREPmember countries, through relevant agencies, forcontributing to the development of PACPOL byfacilitating identification of country needs andpriorities and reviewing the draft of PACPOL, andfor being key partners for its implementation.

• The shipping, port and oil industries, as representedby individual companies and the Australian Instituteof Petroleum and the International Tanker OwnersPollution Federation Ltd, for reviewing the draft ofPACPOL and being key partners for itsimplementation.

• Staff at SPREP for reviewing the draft of PACPOL.

The PACPOL Strategy and Workplan was developedby the SPREP Marine Pollution Adviser with the as-sistance of the parties acknowledged above.

Chapter 1

Introductionand background

The importance of coastal and marine environments to every aspect of the lives of Pacific islanderscannot be overstated. The impacts of marine pollution, including ship-sourced pollution,

constitute a major concern for Pacific island people.

PACPOL Strategy and Workplan 2

1.1 The region

The term “Pacific islands region” is used in PACPOLto describe that area of the Pacific Ocean encompass-ing the island countries and territories of Micronesia,Melanesia and Polynesia, excluding Rapa Nui (EasterIsland) Ao-te-aroa (New Zealand) and Hawaii. Thecountries and territories which comprise the Pacificislands region are all members of SPREP (Figure 1).Australia, France, New Zealand and the USA are alsomembers of SPREP but are not considered part of thePacific islands region for the purposes of technicalassistance under PACPOL. They are important sup-porters of PACPOL.

Within this region exists a diversity of physical andbiological environments, from large, high, jungle-cladcontinental islands in the west to rugged volcanicoutcrops and isolated, low-lying coral atolls through-out the north and east. The total combined land areaof these islands constitutes a mere 550,000 squarekilometres, spread across a huge 30 million squarekilometres of ocean. Coastal and marine environmentsare therefore extremely important.

Coastal and marine environments are typified by coralreefs and seagrasses throughout the entire region, withmangroves extending as far east as Samoa. Village-based subsistence fishing forms a mainstay of virtu-ally all regional societies, and modern commercialuses of these environments, such as coastal and ma-rine-based tourism and commercial fishing, form themajor components of most regional economies.

The importance of coastal and marine environmentsto every aspect of the lives of Pacific islanders can-not be overstated. The impacts of marine pollution,including ship-sourced pollution, constitute a majorconcern for Pacific island people.

1.2 Shipping in the region

The Pacific islands have an extremely rich maritimeheritage. The islands themselves were first populatedby what are arguably the greatest mariners in humanhistory. In pre-European times the Pacific islandersnavigated wooden canoes held together with coconutfibre across thousands of kilometres of open ocean,with nothing but the stars and their intimate knowl-edge of the sea to aid navigation. Today, this seafar-ing tradition is continued, with several island coun-

tries, such as Kiribati and Tuvalu, being suppliers ofseamen to the regional and global shipping fleet.

There are also the epic voyages of European explora-tion, with seafarers such as Magellan, Tasman, Cookand Bligh carving their places in history with theirown outstanding feats of navigation. World War IIheralded another major chapter in maritime history.Some of the largest naval battles ever fought tookplace in the Pacific (with their subsequent pollution).

In modern times, as island states located within theworld’s largest ocean, the island members of SPREPare overwhelmingly dependent on shipping for eco-nomic survival. Shipping in the region can be groupedinto the following broad categories:

• transit shipping: ships which pass through theregion without stopping, en-route to otherdestinations;

• international shipping (as distinct from transitshipping): ships calling at the major ports of theregion from outside the region, either withincoming cargo or tourists (cruise ships) or to takeout exports;

• regional shipping: ships trading (both cargo andpassengers) between the countries and territorieswithin the region;

• domestic shipping: ships trading (both cargo andpassengers) within each country in the region;

• foreign fishing fleet: fishing vessels from distantwater fishing nations operating within the region;

• domestic fishing fleet: fishing vessels from thePacific islands themselves;

• miscellaneous: special purpose vessels such aswarships, research vessels, tourist vessels andprivate yachts and pleasure and fishing craft.

Whilst to date a systematic, quantitative assessmenthas not been carried out, it is likely that transit ship-ping constitutes the largest component in terms of sizeof vessels, tonnage carried and frequency of voyages.At time of publication, details of shipping routes andshipping lanes, including types and tonnages of cargocarried and frequency of voyages, have not been ac-curately mapped for the region.

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1.3 Marine pollutionin the region

Despite the benefits and necessity of shipping, thishuman use of the ocean can also cause a range ofsometimes severe environmental impacts. These in-clude (but are not restricted to):

• the translocation and introduction of marine speciesacross environmental barriers attached to ships’hulls and within ships’ ballast tanks;

• shipping accidents resulting in sometimescatastrophic releases of oil and possibly othercontaminants;

• the discharge of ships’ wastes, including waste oiland plastics and other garbage into the sea;

• the dumping of wastes other than ships’ wastes atsea (as defined by the London Convention);

• the leaching into the sea of toxic chemicals fromanti-fouling paints on ships’ hulls; and

• coastal and marine environmental impacts from thedevelopment and operation of ports which serve theshipping industry.

Compared to other regions of the world, the Pacificis probably relatively free of marine pollution. Thismay be due to the huge area of the region and therelatively low intensity and small size of ships (apartfrom transit shipping) servicing the region. Never-theless, there are some serious pollution “hot spots”in the region, including the highest levels of tributyltin measured in port sediments anywhere in the world(Maata 1997).

Although data is lacking, characteristics of ship-sourced marine pollution in the region may be as fol-lows:

• water and sediments in many ports in the region areseverely polluted (as described above);

• marine debris, especially from the foreign fishingfleet, appears to be a major problem in some areas(Noughton, pers comms 1999);

• the provision of ships’ waste reception facilities inregional ports is generally inadequate;

• World War II saw major oil pollution incidentsthroughout the region (for which the environmental

impacts and recovery have never been properlyassessed);

• groundings and sinkings of vessels, especiallyfishing vessels, are extremely common in the region(Preston et al 1997);

• the accuracy of navigation charts, the standards ofnavigation aids and the standards of maritimetraining may not be as high in the region as otherparts of the world;

• the introduction of foreign marine species,including by transit shipping undertakingreballasting at sea (in order to protect countriesoutside the region) could be a major problem, buthas not been assessed; and

• the capacity of Pacific island countries andterritories to prevent and respond to shippingimpacts is currently limited, and most countries donot have adequate pollution prevention andresponse plans.

The IMO, as the United Nations agency with globalresponsibility for shipping matters, considers the Pa-cific islands as an “Area of Concern”. Most Pacificisland countries have not adopted the various IMOconventions relating to the protection of the marineenvironment (Appendix I).

1.4. The development of PACPOL

Cooperative, multilateral programmes to addressmarine pollution have been in place in many otherregions for some years now, including the Baltic Sea,Caribbean Sea, Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Seaand the East Asian Seas. The need for a similar ini-tiative in the Pacific islands region has long been rec-ognised by IMO and SPREP. This need is reflectedin the National Environmental Management Strate-gies (NEMS) that have been prepared by most islandmember countries with assistance from SPREP.

In response to this need, during the early 1990s IMOassisted SPREP to prepare the SPREP/IMO Strategyand Work Programme for the Protection of the Ma-rine Environment in the South Pacific Region(SWPPMESPR, or more simply the SPREP/IMOStrategy). This was published in 1993. Unfortunately,for various reasons, the SPREP/IMO Strategy was notimplemented.


The development of PACPOL stems directly from arevision and updating of the SPREP/IMO Strategy,and represents a concerted effort to resurrect this strat-egy and proceed with project implementation.

Development of PACPOL was undertaken during the1998 calendar year by the SPREP Marine PollutionAdviser with funding from COMSEC and CIDA,under C–SPOD. It involved the following generalactivities:

• preparation of a draft PACPOL Strategy andWorkplan, based on the SPREP/IMO Strategy;

• circulation of this to all stakeholders for review andcomment—stakeholders included the IMO, allSPREP members, other regional organisations andthe shipping, port and oil industries;

• a consultation and fact-finding mission to membercountries and other stakeholders;

• a review of a similar regional marine pollutionstrategy in the Caribbean, to identify useful lessonsfor the Pacific;

• presentation of the proposed PACPOL Strategy andWorkplan to the tenth SPREP meeting (September98), at which it was approved and endorsed;

• submission of funding proposals to C–SPOD andIMO, resulting in funding approval;

• production and publication of the final Strategy andWorkplan (this document), based on responses fromstakeholders to the draft and findings of theconsultation visits, ready for implementation.

Chapter 2

The aim of PACPOL is to maintain, protect and enhance the quality of coastal and marine environmentsin the Pacific islands region by minimising ship-sourced marine pollution.

PACPOL Strategy


2.1 Aim and objectives

The aim of PACPOL is:

To maintain, protect and enhance the quality ofcoastal and marine environments in the Pacificislands region by minimising ship-sourced marinepollution.

The objectives of PACPOL are:

• to assess the current and potential risks of ship-sourced marine pollution in the Pacific islandsregion;

• to assist SPREP island members to develop bettercapacity to effectively prevent and respond toshipping incidents and marine pollution, including:

− increasing membership of IMO and adoptionand implementation of MARPOL and otherinternational marine pollution conventions;

− increasing adoption and implementation of theSPREP Convention Pollution and DumpingProtocols;

− developing regional and national marinepollution contingency plans and associatedactivities and systems;

− targeting projects to address identified highpriority marine pollution problems.

2.2 Underlying principles

The PACPOL Strategy is based on the following un-derlying principles:

• The programme is based on the assessment that themarine environment in the Pacific islands region isrelatively unpolluted, and that the best approach isto keep it this way. However, the programme doesrecognise that there are specific areas in the regionthat are severely polluted, and that there is an ever-present risk of a major marine spill, especially fromtransit shipping.

• The programme is based on the premise thatprevention is better than cure, but recognises thatdespite best efforts, incidents and accidents canalways occur. Contingency plans are thereforeneeded to supplement pollution prevention efforts.

• The programme reflects the needs and priorities ofPacific island countries and territories, and is fullyendorsed and actively supported by all SPREPmembers.

• The programme seeks to implement the globalmarine pollution regulatory regime, as administeredby IMO, at the regional level, and provides avehicle for the implementation of internationalactivities to address marine pollution in the region.The programme also seeks to implement, in part,regional agreements such as the SPREP Conventionand its protocols.

• The programme is regionally coordinated andintegrated with other related programmes andinitiatives, and includes collaboration betweenSPREP and other regional organisations which aremembers of the Council of Regional Organisationsin the Pacific (CROP–formerly known as SPOCC).

• The programme is endorsed and supported by theprivate sector, in particular the oil, shipping andport industries, and seeks to encourage privatesector solutions to marine pollution. The privatesector must be fully integrated into regional andnational marine pollution contingency plans.

• The programme recognises the current limitationson the capacity of Pacific island countries tomanage marine pollution, and seeks to address thesethrough capacity building and institutionalstrengthening, with a long-term view to self-sufficiency in marine pollution management.

• The programme will minimise the use of externalexpertise and consultants. It will use traditionalexpertise and adopt regionally relevant andculturally appropriate methods to reduce marinepollution wherever possible, while recognising thatmarine pollution is a ‘western’ problem that oftenrequires ‘western’ solutions.

• The programme will incorporate genderconsiderations throughout.

• Whilst the overriding aim of PACPOL is protectionof coastal and marine environments from ship-sourced marine pollution, the vital role of shippingin the region and the need for the shipping industryto further develop will be considered at all times.

2.3. Geographical scope

The geographical scope of PACPOL is the Pacificislands region, defined as the coastlines and all ma-rine waters within the 200 nautical mile limits of the22 Pacific island countries and territories which are

7

members of SPREP (SPREP island members—Ta-ble 1 and Figure 1).

SPREP island members are grouped into two catego-ries: the 14 independent and semi-independent coun-tries (Pacific island countries) and the eight territo-ries (Pacific island territories—Table 1).

In addition to the SPREP island members, there arefour developed countries which are also members ofSPREP (Table 1). They do not constitute part of thePacific islands region, but play a vital role in sup-porting PACPOL.

2.4. Technical scope

2.4.1. Definition of ship

For the purposes of PACPOL “ship” is defined asany vessel used by humans for transport, commerce,recreation or any other purpose on the sea, includingbut not restricted to all types and sizes of cargo ves-sels, passenger vessels, fishing vessels, research ves-sels, naval vessels, barges, boats, yachts, launches,dinghies and canoes. PACPOL is designed to addressmarine pollution from all vessel types.

2.4.2. Definition and types of marinepollution

Marine pollution is defined by the United Nations’(UN) Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects ofMarine Protection (GESAMP) as: “the introductionby humans, directly or indirectly, of substances orenergy to the marine environment resulting indeleterious…effects”.

PACPOL is designed to address ship-sourced marinepollution, in particular:

• marine spills (oil and other hazardous materials);

• ships’ waste (oil, sewage and garbage/marinedebris);

• introduced marine species;

• the development and operation of ports.

PACPOL does not address marine pollution fromland-based activities, atmospheric fallout and othernon-ship sources.

2.5. Institutional arrangements

A regional programme consisting of a range of dif-ferent projects to be implemented over several years,in a large number of developing countries spread

Table 1 SPREP member countries and territories

Pacific island countries Pacific island territories

Cook Islands American Samoa Australia

Fiji Islands Northern Mariana Islands France

Kiribati French Polynesia New Zealand

Marshall Islands Guam United States of America

Federated States of Micronesia New Caledonia

Nauru Pitcairn Islands

Niue Tokelau Islands

Palau Wallis and Futuna

Papua New Guinea

Samoa

Solomon Islands

Tonga

Tuvalu

Vanuatu

SPREP island members SPREPdeveloped country members


throughout a huge expanse of ocean, cannot be suc-cessful without adequate institutional arrangements.The institutional arrangements for PACPOL includemandate, programme management and human re-sources, funding, sectoral and organisational linkagesand reporting requirements, as outlined below.

2.5.1. Mandate

The mandate for PACPOL is derived from a numberof sources, including:

• The National Environmental ManagementStrategies (NEMS) developed by Pacific islandcountries with assistance from SPREP, whichidentify the need to further develop capacity in thearea of marine pollution management.

• The Convention for the Protection of the NaturalResources and Environment in the South PacificRegion (SPREP Convention) and in particular itsDumping and Pollution Protocols. These requireparties to develop and implement regional,cooperative programmes and arrangements toaddress marine pollution (NB: Not all SPREPmembers are party to the SPREP Convention or itsprotocols, see Appendix I).

• The international Law of the Sea (LOS), inparticular the following:

− Article 43. Navigational and safety aids andother improvements and the prevention,reduction and control of marine pollution;

− Article 194. Measures to prevent, reduce andcontrol pollution of the marine environment;

− Section 2. Global and Regional Cooperation;− Article 204. Monitoring of the risks or threats of

marine pollution;− Section 5. International Rules and National

Legislation to Prevent− Reduce and Control Pollution of the Marine

Environment;− Section 6. Enforcement.

• The various IMO and related marine pollutionconventions, including:

− the International Convention for the Preventionof Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified bythe Protocol of 1978 relating thereto(MARPOL);

− the International Convention on Oil PollutionPreparedness, Response and Cooperation 1990(OPRC);

− the International Convention Relating toIntervention on the High Seas in Cases of OilPollution Casualties 1969 (Intervention

Convention);− the Convention on the Prevention of Marine

Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and OtherMatter 1972, as modified by the Protocol of1996 relating thereto (London Convention orLC).

(NB: Not all SPREP members are party to the UnitedNations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)or IMO pollution conventions, see Appendix I.)

• The SPREP Workplan 1998–2000, approved by theninth SPREP intergovernmental meeting andincluding a Waste Management, PollutionPrevention and Emergencies component.

• The tenth SPREP intergovernmental meeting heldin Apia, Samoa, in September 1998, whichendorsed and approved PACPOL forimplementation.

• Supporting comments received from SPREPmember countries, international and regionalorganisations and the private sector during thedevelopment of PACPOL in 1998.

In addition, at the ANZECC/APEC Asia-Pacific work-shop on Ship-based Pollution held in Townsville, Aus-tralia, in April 1998, PACPOL was endorsed as theregional programme to address ship-sourced marinepollution in the Pacific islands (a sub-set of the broaderAsia-Pacific region).

2.5.2. Programme management andhuman resources

Responsibility for the development and ongoing man-agement of PACPOL rests with the SPREP technicalsecretariat in Apia, Samoa. The programme falls un-der the Waste Management, Pollution Prevention andEmergencies area of the Environmental Planning andManagement (EMP) Division.

SPREP’s responsibility includes managing the imple-mentation of PACPOL projects and ensuring the de-livery of outputs and benefits to SPREP island mem-bers, securing and managing funding for PACPOLprojects and reporting progress to SPREP members,donors and other stakeholders. The following humanresources are required for the full implementation ofPACPOL:

• three full-time positions at the SPREP office inSamoa, consisting of:

− Marine Pollution Adviser;

9

SPREP, at source-party cost, to assist with humanresourcing and enhance organisational links.

PACPOL National Counterparts: PACPOL Na-tional Counterparts in each Pacific island country willassist with the delivery and implementation of projectswithin countries. PACPOL National Counterparts ineach Pacific island territory and SPREP non-islandmember will coordinate links with and support forPACPOL.

PACPOL National Counterparts may vary betweencountries and territories. Ideally they should comprisethe head of the national maritime administration, whomay delegate to another individual or administration.The maritime administration should be supported inthis role by the environment administration andSPREP National Focal Point (if different).

Appendix II lists these for each SPREP member. Forsignificant issues, communications between SPREPand PACPOL National Counterparts should be di-rected via the SPREP National Focal Points.

The time spent by PACPOL National Counterpartson PACPOL projects should be part of the relevantofficers’ normal workload, provided by each national/territorial government as support-in-kind forPACPOL, along with logistical, organisational andother in-country assistance to PACPOL projects.

Consultants: Consultants will be engaged as requiredand include personnel from other CROP organisationsfor projects that are to be implemented jointly. Pri-

− Marine Pollution Project Officer;− Administrative Assistant;

• External Placements/Advisers at SPREP;

• part-time National Counterparts in each SPREPmember country and territory;

• consultants as required.

Director SPREP and Head EMP Division: Theseare core SPREP positions which allocate a small per-centage of time to the overall supervision of PACPOLas part of corporate management functions.

Marine Pollution Adviser: Undertakes the role ofPACPOL Programme Manager. Commenced dutiesin January 1998. Funded by COMSEC until the endof 1999. Possible extension to the end of 2000.Resourcing to be secured thereafter.

Marine Pollution Project Officer: Assists the Ma-rine Pollution Adviser. A training position, aimed ateventually assuming the programme managementrole. The Project Officer is expected to commence inmid to late 1999 and is funded by C–SPOD until midto late 2003. Resourcing to be secured thereafter.

Administrative Assistant: A part-time Administra-tive Assistant (approximately 20 per cent time) is pro-vided by EMP.

Placements/Advisers: As PACPOL proceeds,SPREP will invite technical experts from external or-ganisations such as IMO, developed country govern-ments and industry to undertake placements at

Figure 2 PACPOL staff resourcing

AdministrativeAssistant

Placements/Advisers(from IMO, governments,

industry)

National Counterparts- SPREP Island Members

National Counterparts- SPREP Developed Country Members

Consultants(as required)

Marine Pollution Project Officer(Trainee Programme Manager)

Marine Pollution Adviser (Programme Manager)

HeadEMP Division

DirectorSPREP


vate sector consultants will be engaged on a com-mercial contractual basis. Joint projects with otherCROP organisations will be conducted under project-specific letters of understanding.

Successional plan

Once the Project Officer succeeds the Adviser, a newProject Officer should be recruited to allow an ongo-ing, long term successional capacity within the pro-

gramme. Funding for this successional plan is not yetsecured. The need for additional staff time in the ad-ministrative support area, including the possibility ofa full-time position, should be monitored and met asPACPOL proceeds. SPREP is committed to identify-ing and securing ongoing, long-term resourcing formarine pollution personnel and providing the neces-sary in-house support and services.

2.5.3. Funding

At April 1999, the majority of funding for PACPOL has been provided as follows:

COMSEC: Marine Pollution Adviser emoluments for two years (1998–1999) plus approximatelyUS$8,000 equipment and regional travel contribution.

C–SPOD: US$45,000 for programme development in 1998. US$660,000 for the implementationof selected high priority projects over three years (1999–2001—refer Workplan).

IMO: US$220,000 for the implementation of three specific projects (refer Workplan).

Table 2 PACPOL staff resourcing—five year successional plan

MPA = Marine Pollution Adviser. MPPO = Marine Pollution Project Officer. AA = Adminstration Assistant

98 99 00 01 02 03

Jan Dec Jan Dec Jan Dec Jan Dec Jan Dec Jan Dec

MPA

MPPO

AA

ì

ì = MPPO assumes MPA position

= Funding secured (at April 99) = Funding not secured(at April 99)

ì

11

Long-term staff resourcing, eleven regional projectsand six country-specific projects remain unfunded (re-fer Workplan). As currently funded projects are im-plemented, further resourcing for remaining projectswill need to be identified and secured. Potentialsources include:

• additional funds from C–SPOD and IMO;

• SPREP non-island members (Australia, France,New Zealand and USA);

• aid programmes of other countries, in particularJapan and the United Kingdom, which have well-developed maritime sectors and marine pollutionmanagement capabilities;

• international organisations, including the GlobalEnvironment Facility (GEF), the United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP) and the UnitedNations Environment Programme (UNEP).

2.5.4. Sectoral and organisational linkages

It is vital that PACPOL is not just a SPREP initiativebut is truly a regional programme, coordinated andconsistent with other regional and international activi-ties relating to marine pollution. PACPOL links withthe following organisations and programmes:

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

The IMO is a key partner in PACPOL. IMO is theUnited Nations agency responsible for the interna-tional maritime regulatory regime. IMO administersa number of international conventions relating tomaritime safety and pollution prevention (Appen-

dix I). IMO also manages an Integrated Technical Co-operation Programme (ITCP), under which technicalassistance and seed-funding is provided to develop-ing countries to further IMO’s global goals of “SaferShipping—Cleaner Oceans”.

Assisting Pacific island countries to become mem-bers of IMO and to adopt and implement relevant IMOconventions is a major objective of PACPOL. A gen-eral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has beensigned by IMO and SPREP which in effect givesSPREP observer status at IMO meetings. This pro-vides a mechanism for representation of the Pacificislands region as a whole at such meetings. A spe-cific MOU has also been signed between IMO andSPREP for the delivery of ITCP projects in the re-gion by SPREP, through PACPOL.

Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)

SPC is an intergovernmental organisation with simi-lar membership to SPREP (with the addition of theUnited Kingdom) which provides technical assistanceto member countries in all areas of social and eco-nomic development.

SPC runs a Regional Maritime Programme (RMP)which focuses on two key areas: the development ofmaritime training in the region, including implemen-tation of the International Convention on Standardsof Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Sea-farers (STCW); and assisting member countries todevelop maritime legislation in accordance with IMOconventions.

Table 3 Primary funding sources for the implementation of PACPOL

Item Funding Source

Office accommodation/services for MarinePollution Adviser, Project Officer and Admin. Assistant SPREP

Computer, office furniture andequipment for Marine Pollution Adviser COMSEC

Computer, office furniture andequipment for Marine Pollution Project Officer C-SPOD

Salary for Marine Pollution Adviser COMSEC (98/99 only, to be secured thereafter)

Salary for Marine Pollution Project Officer C-SPOD (99-01 only, to be secured thereafter)

Salary for Admin. Assistant (20% time) SPREP

Operational budget (travel, communications etc) COMSEC, C-SPOD, IMO

Project implementation budget (including administration.) C-SPOD, IMO (+ support from industry)

National Counterparts/in-country support SPREP Members


PACPOL has been developed in close consultationwith SPC’s RMP, and some PACPOL projects willbe implemented jointly between SPREP and SPC, inparticular the development of marine pollution legis-lation for Pacific island countries (Project CL1) andthe development of a marine pollution educationmodule for regional maritime training institutes(Project EAR 5).

South Pacific Forum Secretariat (ForSec)

ForSec is an intergovernmental, regional organisa-tion with its members drawn from the fourteen inde-pendent and self-governing Pacific Island countriesand includes Australia and New Zealand. ForSec pro-grammes are aimed at promoting regional coopera-tion among member states through trade, investment,economic development, and political and internationalaffairs.

ForSec management of a Regional Natural DisasterRelief Fund and the works of the Petroleum Adviserare of direct relevance to PACPOL. In addition ForSecis the regional coordinating partner agency forC-SPOD, the primary funding source for PACPOL.

PACPOL will link closely with ForSec’s petroleumactivities to ensure that environmental and pollutionissues related to the petroleum industry are addressedin a cooperative and consistent manner.

ForSec also has a role in donor coordination and hasbeen charged by CROP to coordinate the CROP Re-gional Strategy through working groups. As such theyhave a role in ensuring that PACPOL is coordinatedwith other regional partners, in particular through theMarine Sector Working Group.

Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)

FFA is a technical agency of the Forum island coun-tries that offers advice on the sustainable manage-ment and development of the offshore fisheries re-sources, in particularly the four major Tuna species.

FFA’s role in PACPOL is to assist SPREP with thosePACPOL projects which relate to the fishing indus-try, including:

• education projects which target the fishing industry(Project EAR 1), and

• developing regional fisheries surveillance andenforcement arrangements to include marinepollution surveillance and enforcement(Project MS 6).

South Pacific Applied GeoscienceCommission (SOPAC)

SOPAC is a regional organisation whose primary roleis to assist Pacific island countries with the explora-tion and exploitation of mineral resources, but whichhas also developed technical expertise in a numberof natural resource management areas, including inthe coastal and marine fields.

SOPAC’s role in PACPOL is as a potential collabo-rator or consultant, to implement those PACPOLprojects that may require the scientific and technicalexpertise possessed by SOPAC, consistent withSOPAC’s other activities and commitments (e.g.Project RA 1).

University of the South Pacific (USP)

USP is the premier regional tertiary education andresearch institution, with a significant marine studiesprogramme. USP’s role in PACPOL is as a potentialcollaborator or consultant to implement thosePACPOL projects that may require the scientific andtechnical expertise possessed by USP, consistent withUSP’s other activities and commitments (e.g. ProjectIMS 2).

Oceania Regional Response Team (ORRT)

ORRT is an interagency team comprising US Fed-eral, State and Local government agencies chairedjointly by District 14 of the US Coast Guard in Ha-waii and Region 9 of the US Environmental Protec-tion Agency in San Francisco. ORRT advises on re-sponse planning and actual responses to marine spillsin the Pacific islands which are under some form ofUS jurisdiction. These comprise the Territory ofAmerican Samoa, the Territory of Guam, the State ofHawaii and the Commonwealth of the NorthernMariana Islands.

ORRT has developed an Oceania Regional Contin-gency Plan (ORCP), which provides the frameworkfor the response to marine spills in these jurisdictions.It is vital to ensure linkages between ORCP and thebroader Pacific Islands Regional Marine Spill Con-tingency Plan (PACPLAN), being developed underPACPOL. Such linkages should include mechanismsfor the provision of assistance by the US and its Pa-cific island jurisdictions to non-US islands, and viceversa.

Oil, shipping and port industries

Involvement of the private sector, in particular theoil, shipping and port industries, is vital to the suc-cess of PACPOL. The support and cooperation of

13

industry, including assistance with the resourcing ofprojects, will continue to be developed throughoutthe implementation of PACPOL.

Individual oil companies are important sources ofsupport-in-kind for the annual PACPOL workshopsand marine spill response training, and must be inte-grated into regional and national contingency plans.

The Association of Pacific Ports (APP) is a network-ing organisation for port authorities in the region. TheAPP has shown a growing interest in the environ-mental considerations of port planning, developmentand management, and is an important partner for theimplementation of PACPOL projects relating to ports.

Non-government organisations

There are four main environmental NGOs active on aregional or semi-regional basis in the Pacific islandsregion: Greenpeace, The Nature Conservancy (TNC),the South Pacific Action Committee for Human Ecol-ogy and the Environment (SPACHEE) and the WorldWide Fund for the Conservation of Nature and Natu-ral Resources (WWF).

None of these currently run significant programmesof direct relevance to PACPOL, although Greenpeaceis very active on the issue of carriage of nuclear ma-terials by ships and the marine dumping of nuclearwaste. Greenpeace is also campaigning for the aboli-

tion of Flags of Convenience, or ship registries whichdo not require compliance with the international regu-latory regime administered by IMO.

Links and cooperative projects will be developed withregional NGO’s throughout the implementation ofPACPOL. PACPOL National Counterparts are re-sponsible for in-country links with NGOs at the na-tional level.

2.5.5. Reporting requirements

As part of its programme management responsibili-ties, the SPREP Secretariat will regularly report onprogress with the implementation of PACPOL toSPREP members, to programme donors, to other re-gional organisations, the IMO, the regional oil, ship-ping and port industries and the community in gen-eral. This will be achieved through:

• the normal SPREP reporting process to members,including publication and distribution of the SPREPAnnual Reports;

• the reporting requirements of individual fundingarrangements with programme donors;

• presentations at relevant meetings, conferences,workshops and seminars; and

• the regional news media.

PACPOL Workplan

Chapter 3

The PACPOL Workplan forms the “backbone” of the programme, outlining the projects that need to beimplemented in order to reduce ship-sourced marine pollution in the region.


3.1. Introduction

The PACPOL Workplan forms the “backbone” of theprogramme, outlining the projects that need to beimplemented in order to reduce ship-sourced marinepollution in the region. The Workplan describes bothregional projects and country-specific projects, andoutlines the time frame for their implementation.

The projects contained within the Workplan reflectthe needs and priorities of Pacific island countries, asidentified through country consultations during thedevelopment of PACPOL in 1998.

The Workplan is presented in tabular form. Furtherdetails for each project are contained on individualproject sheets in Appendix III for regional projectsand Appendix IV for country-specific projects. Theproject sheets provide the basis for a project docu-ment for each project.

3.2. Regional projects

Regional projects are those which address marinepollution problems that are common to the whole re-gion and generally apply to all Pacific island coun-tries. In some instances initial pilot phases may beundertaken in only a limited number of countries.Regional projects are grouped into the following cat-egories (in no particular order):

• Staff Resources (SR) projects

• Risk Assessment (RA) projects• Education and Awareness Raising (EAR) projects• Conventions and Legislation (CL) projects• Introduced Marine Species (IMS) projects• Marine Spill (MS) projects• Ships’ Waste (SW) projects• Port (PO) projects.

Workplan Table 1 summarises regional projects.

3.3. Country-specific projects

Country-specific projects are those which are specifi-cally required by a particular Pacific island countryto address marine pollution in that country, given itsparticular circumstances. Country-specific projectsare unique to individual countries, and were identi-fied through country consultations during the devel-opment of PACPOL in 1998.

Workplan Table 2 summarises country-specificprojects.

Most countries did not identify country-specificprojects during the consultation phase, and thereforeare not listed in Workplan Table 2. All of the regionalprojects in Workplan Table 1 apply at the nationallevel and therefore are not repeated in this section.

17

Workplan Table 1 Regional projects(For details on each project refer to project sheets in Appendix III)

Project Area Project Code & Title Description US$ Funding (at 4/99) Time-line Priority

Staff Resources(SR)

SR 1: Extension of MarinePollution Adviser (MPA)

Extend contract by 12 months (toend 2000) to ensure programmeimplementation. Secure futureresourcing.

70K/yr Not secured 12 months V. High

SR 2: Marine PollutionProject Officer

Employ regional counterpart to assistMPA, receive training and assumeMPA's position. Secure futureresourcing.

155K/3yrs C-SPOD: 99-01 3 yrs initially V. High

Risk Assessment(RA)

RA 1: Marine PollutionRisk Assessment

Describe/map shipping patterns andidentify high risk areas throughoutthe region and within each islandcountry.

100K C-SPOD 1 yr(3-5 yrreview)

V. High

Education/Aware--ness Raising (EAR)

EAR 1: Visual Materials Produce visual materials for marinepollution awareness raising, includingposters, stickers, brochures/pamphlets.

60K C-SPOD 1 yrOngoing

High

EAR 2: Marine PollutionVideo

Produce video for marine pollutioneducation.

60K Not secured 6 months Low

EAR 3: Marine PollutionEducation Kit for Schools

Develop/produce marine pollutioneducation kit for primary/secondaryschools.

30K Not secured 6 months Medium

EAR 4: Marine PollutionModule for TertiaryEducation Institutions

Develop/produce marine pollutioneducation module for USP marinestudies course.

In-house SPREP in-house 6 months Medium

EAR 5: Marine PollutionModule for MaritimeTraining Institutes

Develop/produce marine pollutioneducation module for regionalmaritime training institutions.

In-house SPREP in-house 6 months High

EAR 6: Media Strategy Develop & implement media strategyfor PACPOL.

In-house SPREP in-house Ongoing High

Conventions &Legislation (CL)

CL 1: Marine PollutionLegislation for PacificIsland Countries

Assist each Pacific island country toimplement national marine pollutionlegislation, consistent with IMOconventions, through a regionalmodel.

60K IMO 2 yrs V. High

CL 2: SPREP ConventionProtocols

Update the 2 SPREP ConventionProtocols to ensure consistency withOPRC and London Conventions.

30K SPREP core budget 1 yr

CL 3: IMO Conventions Assist Pacific island countries tobecome party to, ratify andimplement IMO marine pollutionconventions.

CL1. Through CL1 Ongoing V. High

CL 4: IMO Representation Ensure effective & cost-effectiverepresentation of region at relevantIMO meetings, as required.

5K/yr C-SPOD Ongoing Medium

Introduced MarineSpecies (IMS)

IMS 1: IMS RiskAssessment

Assess the risk of IMS entering eachPacific island country throughshipping.

500K Not secured 18 months High

IMS 2: IMS Surveys I. Determine the presence/absence,distribution and impacts of IMS inPacific island countries.II. Start with pilot study.

I. I. 2M

II. 100K

Not secured I. 5 yrs

II. 1 yr

High

Marine Spills (MS) MS 1: Spill PreventionReview

Review current spill preventionmeasures in all Pacific islandcountries and recommendimprovements.

100K Not secured 6 months V. High

MS 2: Marine SpillContingency Plans

Update/develop marine spillcontingency plans for the region(PACPLAN) and each Pacific islandcountry (NATPLANS).

75K C-SPOD 1 yrOngoing

High

MS 3: Annual PACPOLWorkshops

Hold an annual PACPOL regionalworkshop:· Training in marine spill response· Regional desk-top exercise.· Regional coordination meeting.

50K/ yr 98: IMO99: IMO/C-SPOD2000: C-SPODNot securedthereafter

Annual,Ongoing

High


Workplan Table 1 Regional projects (cont’d)(For details on each project refer to project sheets in Appendix III)

Project Area ProjectCode\Title

Description US$ Funding (at 4/99) Time-line Priority

Marine Spills (MS)continued:

MS 4: RegionalEquipmentStrategy

Review spill responseequipment needs in eachcountry and developstrategy.

70K Not secured 6 months V. High

MS 5: PACRep Establish a regionalmarine spill reportingcentre and database toprovide information tosupport management.

In-house SPREP, C-SPOD Set up: 3monthsOngoing

Medium

MS 6:PACPOLPatrol

Establish a regionalmarine pollutionsurveillance system,utilising existing fisheriessurveillance programmeand routine civil flights.

Set up: 5K C-SPOD Set up: 6monthsOngoing

Medium

MS 7: CoastalResource Mapping

Provide a coastalresource map for eachPacific island country (3pilot projects first).

Pilot: 300KAll: 2M

Not secured Pilot: 18monthsAll: 5 yrs

Low

MS 8: Marine SpillTrajectoryModelling

Provide spill trajectorymodels for a limitednumber of high risk areasin each Pacific islandcountry for use in spillresponse planning (3 pilotprojects first)

Pilot: 300KAll: 2M

Not secured Pilot: 18monthsAll: 5 yrs

Low

MS 9: Review ofImpacts of MarineOil Spills onPacific IslandEnvironments

Provide regionallyrelevant data on theimpacts of marine oilspills by reviewingimpacts of and recoveryfrom known spills in theregion to date.

150K Not secured 1 yr

Ships' Waste (SW) SW1: ImprovingShips' WasteManagement InPacific IslandsPorts

Review adequacy ofships' waste receptionfacilities against IMOcriteria in all Pacific islandcountries. Develop actionplan for facilities.

150K IMOAustralia

1 yr V. High

SW 2: CoastalClean-ups

Extend Centre for MarineConservation (CMC)International CoastalClean-up to as manyPacific island countries aspossible.

In-house SPREP, CMC,countries

Ongoing Medium

Port Project (PO) PO 1:EnvironmentalManagementGuidelines forPacific Island Ports

Develop regionalenvironmentalmanagement guidelinesfor use by ports.

In-house SPREP, C-SPOD 6 months High

PO 2:EnvironmentalAudits of RegionalOil Terminals

Audit a sample ofregional oil terminals.

50K Not secured 6 months High

19

Workplan Table 2: Country-specific projects(For details on each project, refer Project Sheets in Appendix IV).

Country ProjectCode\Title

Description US$ Funding Time-line Priority

Fiji (FJ) FJ 1: Suva HarbourMarine PollutionManagement Plan

Develop and implementan integratedmanagement plan toaddress all sources ofmarine pollution in Suvaharbour.

1M* Not secured Develop: 1 yrOngoing

Urgent

FJ 2: Vuda PointContaminationSurvey

Assess potentialcontamination ofsediments and seafoodspecies at Vuda point.

150K* Not secured 6 months High

Federated Statesof Micronesia(FSM)

FSM 1: OkatHarbourEnvironmentalManagement Plan

Develop and implementan integratedmanagement plan toaddress all sources ofmarine pollution in Okatharbour, Kosrae State.

100K Not secured Develop: 1 yrOngoing

Medium

Niue (NI) NI 1: BeveridgeReef ResourceSurvey

Develop marine resourceinventory and monitoringbaseline for BeveridgeReef, which is at riskfrom pollution from shipgroundings.

50K Not secured 18 months Medium

Solomon Islands(SI)

SI 1: Removal ofOil from WWIIWrecks

Remove remaining oilfrom WWII wrecks inIron Bottom Sound.

TBD** Not secured TBD** High

Tuvalu (TV) TV1: TBD** During PACPOLconsultations, Tuvaluexpressed interest incountry-specific projectsto address particularmarine pollution issues intheir jurisdiction. Detailsto be developed uponcountry-mission byPACPOL staff, which wasunable to be undertakenduring 1998.

TBD** Not secured TBD** TBD**

* Developmental costs only. Implementation budget to be determined.** TBD = To be determined.


3.4. Time frame

Phase One, the development of PACPOL, was com-pleted in 1998. Phase Two, implementation ofPACPOL projects, covers a five-year time frame, fromearly 1999 until the end of 2003.

Highest priority projects, as initially funded byC–SPOD and IMO, will be implemented in the firstthree years (1999–2001). Implementation should bereviewed by all stakeholders at the end of this period.Remaining projects may be implemented in 2002–2003, subject to this review, additional resources andevolving country needs, priorities and capacity.

Workplan Table 3 Project implementation timelines (indicative only, April 1999)

At the end of the first five-year period, the success orotherwise of PACPOL should be reviewed by allstakeholders who should appoint and resource a

review committee for the task. The programme maythen be further developed for the post-2003 period.

Chapter 4

References


Adams, T., Richards, A., Dalzell, P. & Bell, L. 1995.Research on Fisheries in the Pacific Islands Re-gion. In South Pacific Commission and ForumFisheries Agency Workshop on the Managementof South Pacific Inshore Fisheries—ManuscriptCollection of Country Statements and Back-ground Papers Vol. 2. Integrated Coastal Fisher-ies Management Project Technical Document No.12. SPC Noumea.

Baker, J. 1992. Ecological Recovery Following OilSpills. Proceedings of SPILLCON 92. AIP Mel-bourne.

Duke, N.C., Ellison, J. C. & Burns, K.A. 1998. Sur-veys of Oil Spill Incidents Affecting MangroveHabitat in Australia: A Preliminary Assessmentof Incidents, Impacts on Mangroves and Recov-ery of Deforested Areas. APPEA Journal 1998—647. APPEA Canberra.

Eldridge, L.G. 1994. Perspectives in Aquatic Ex-otic Species Management in the Pacific IslandsVol. I: Introductions of Commercially SignificantAquatic Organisms to the Pacific Islands. InshoreFisheries Research Project Technical DocumentNo. 7. SPC Noumea.

Hewitt, C.L. & Martin, R.B. 1996. Port Surveys forIntroduced Marine Species—Background Con-siderations and Sampling Protocols. Centre forResearch on Introduced Marine Pests TechnicalReport No. 4. CSIRO Marine Research Hobart.

Hilliard, R.W. & Raaymakers, S. 1997. Ballast Wa-ter Risk Assessment—12 Queensland Ports: Stage5 Report—Executive Summary & Synthesis of Re-sults. EcoPorts Monograph Series No. 14. PCQBrisbane.

Maata, M. 1997. The Degradation of Tributyltin(TBT) in Tropical Marine Sediments. PhD The-sis. USP Suva.

Preston, G.L., Gillet, R.D., McCoy, M.A., Murrell,P.A. and Lovell, E.R. 1997. Ship Groundings inthe Pacific Islands Region: Issues and Guidelines.SPREP, Apia.

Chapter 5

Appendices


Appendix I

Marine Pollution Conventions in SPREPMember Countries (at April 1999)

NB: Table only indicates whether a country is a partyto a convention. It does not indicate whether a coun-try has ratified or implemented the convention do-mestically. Also, the table does not show to whichannexes and/or protocols of each convention coun-tries may also be party (except LC 96 Protocol and

SPREP Convention Protocols). For further details re-fer to the IMO web site (http://www.imo.org) or en-quire at SPREP. Pacific island territories are notshown explicitly, although many are covered throughconvention membership by the SPREP non-islandmember with which they are associated.

IMO UNCLOS MARPOL OPRC CLC 92 FUND 92 HNS INTVN. LC LC 96Prot.

SPREPConv.

SPREPDump. Prot.

SPREP Pol. Prot.

Countries

Cook Is x x x x

Fiji x x x x x x x

FederatedStates ofMicronesia

x x x x

Kiribati x

Marshall Is x x x x x x x x x xx

Nauru x x x x x

Niue

Palau x x x x

Papua NewGuinea x x x x x x x x

Samoa x x x x x

Solomon Is x x x x x x

Tonga x x x x x

Tuvalu x x x x

Vanuatu x x x x x x x x

Australia x x x x x x x x x x x x

France x x x x x x x x x x x x

NewZealand x x x x x x x x x x

UnitedStates ofAmerica

x x x x x x x x

A key objective of PACPOL is to work towards complete filling of the above table, thereby establishing a standardised regulatory regime for ship-sourced marine pollution in thePacific islands region.

25

Appendix II

PACPOL Contacts in SPREP Member Countriesand Territories (April 1999)

(The preferred PACPOL National Counterpart in each country/territory is the head of the national maritimeadministration, who may delegate to another individual or administration. The maritime administration shouldbe supported in this role by the environment administration and SPREP National Focal Point (if different). Forsignificant issues, communications from SPREP to PACPOL National Counterparts should be directed via theSPREP National Focal Points. Port authorities and oil companies in each country/territory are also importantPACPOL contacts, but are not listed).


Appendix III

Project Sheets for Regional Projects

29

PACPOL PROJECT SHEET

Project RA1: Marine Pollution Risk Assessment for the Pacific Islands Region

Introduction

There is currently no information available in a con-solidated form describing shipping patterns through-out the Pacific islands region that would allow iden-tification and assessment of marine pollution risks.

Without such information it is not possible to iden-tify high risk and/or problem areas and develop fo-cused, prioritised actions to address these areas. Sucha risk assessment forms an essential, fundamentalstarting point for PACPOL.

Aims

The risk assessment aims to:

• identify, describe, quantify and map shippingpatterns in the Pacific islands region,

• identify, describe and map marine pollution hazardsin Pacific island ports,

in order to collate and present data to help identifyhigh risk areas for shipping accidents/marine pollu-tion incidents.

Scope

The assessment will be conducted at three scales:

• the Pacific islands region as a whole;• within the 200 nautical mile limit of each Pacific

island country/territory;• for each capital/major port within each country/

territory.

The assessment will apply to all ships as defined bythe International Convention on the Prevention ofPollution from Ships 1973 and its Protocol of 1978(MARPOL 73/78) and its annexes, and will includefishing vessels from distant water fishing nations.

Outputs

The project outputs will comprise:• a GIS map of the Pacific islands region

displaying:− shipping lanes,− cargo types and tonnages carried,− shipping frequencies and intensities,− locations and descriptions of all ports,

especially oil loading/unloading operations,− identification of mid-ocean ballast exchange/

reballasting sites and− identification of high risk areas for shipping

accidents/marine pollution incidents;

• a GIS map of each Pacific island country/territorydisplaying the above within the 200 nautical milelimit of each country/territory;

• a GIS map of each capital/major port in eachcountry/territory identifying and describing highrisk areas for shipping accidents/marine pollutionincidents within each port.

Methods

• The study will be done by a consultancy on contractto SPREP.

• Methods to be used will be proposed by theconsultancy and assessed/approved by SPREP priorto commencement.

• Methods should include obtaining and analysingdata from national maritime and port authorities,shipping companies and shipping agents.

• Data and maps to be updateable every two years.

Budget

US$100,000

Time frameTwelve months from contract signing.

Risk Assessment (RA) projects

descriptions of ports. This would allow a marine pol-lution risk assessment to be conducted. One projectwill be undertaken under PACPOL to address gen-eral risk assessment: Project RA1 Marine PollutionRisk Assessment for the Pacific Islands Region

In order to develop a programme which effectivelyaddresses marine pollution it is necessary to first havea picture of shipping patterns, including shippinglanes, shipping types, cargoes carried and shippingfrequencies and intensities, plus the locations and


Education and Awareness Raising (EAR) projects

Education and awareness raising is one of the mosteffective tools in environmental management. Oncestakeholders become aware of environmental values,the impacts that human activities can have on thesevalues and the options available to reduce/eliminatethese impacts, they are more likely to become com-mitted to protecting the environment. Education andawareness raising is widely recognised as being moreeffective than legislation and enforcement as an en-vironmental management tool.

Marine pollution education programmes have beenunder development and implemented in many coun-tries outside of the region for some time (e.g. Aus-tralia, USA). Whilst the products of these programmesmay be useful for some applications in the Pacificislands, they may not always be regionally relevantnor culturally appropriate.

A concerted and sustained marine pollution educa-tion and awareness-raising programme which is cus-tomised for use in the Pacific islands region and tar-gets the full range of stakeholders is required as ahigh priority under PACPOL.

Six projects will be undertaken under PACPOL toimprove marine pollution education and awarenessraising in the Pacific islands region. These are:

• Project EAR 1: Visual materials• Project EAR 2: Marine pollution education video• Project EAR 3: Marine pollution education kit for

schools• Project EAR 4: Marine pollution education module

for tertiary education institutions• Project EAR 5: Marine pollution education module

for maritime training institutes• Project EAR 6: PACPOL Media strategy.

31


Project EAR 1: Visual Materials

Introduction

Visual materials such as posters, stickers, decals andbrochures have been used effectively in general en-vironmental education efforts for many years. Thereare currently few, if any, such materials addressingmarine pollution in a Pacific islands context. Devel-opment of a coordinated set of visual materials linkedby a common theme and style would be most usefulfor marine pollution education and awareness rais-ing, as well as general marketing and publicising ofPACPOL.

Aim

To stimulate commitment by all stakeholders to re-ducing/eliminating marine pollution in the Pacific is-lands region by raising awareness about the impactsof marine pollution and the options available to re-duce/eliminate these impacts.

Scope

• This project applies to all Pacific island countriesand the outputs could be used by island territories.

• The visual materials will target a broad audience,with a priority given to foreign fishing fleet crewsand mariners.

Outputs

• The visual materials will comprise a range ofoutputs, including posters, stickers, decals,brochures and booklets.

• These outputs must be regionally relevant andculturally appropriate, and have a distinct Pacificislands flavour whilst getting the desired messagesacross to the target audiences effectively.

• Outputs will be produced in a variety of languageswhere beneficial and cost-effective.

Methods

• Outputs will be produced as a coordinated packageby consultancies on contract to SPREP.

• Methods will be proposed by the consultancies andreviewed/approved by SPREP.

• Methods will include consultations with FFA formaterials which target the fishing industry.

Budget

US$60,000

Time frame

• All initial outputs will be produced within sixmonths of commencement.

• Implementation throughout the five year PACPOLimplementation period, with annual reviews andreprints as required, subject to funding.



Project EAR 2: Marine Pollution Education Video

Outputs

• A simple video, using entertaining/easilycomprehensible approaches, outlining the sourcesand impacts of and solutions to marine pollution.

• The video must be regionally relevant and culturallyappropriate, and have a distinct Pacific islandsflavour whilst getting the desired messages across tothe target audiences effectively.

• In the first run, 10,000 will be produced in English,in both PAL and NTSC.

Methods

• The video will be produced by a consultancy oncontract to SPREP.

• Methods to be used will be proposed by theconsultancy and reviewed/approved by SPREP.

• The option of corporate sponsorship will beexplored in developing the video.

Budget

US$60,000

Time frame

• Video production within six months of contractsigning.

• Implementation and annual reviews throughout thefive-year PACPOL implementation period.

• Reproductions as required (subject to funding).

Introduction

The use of videos is a proven and popular tool in en-vironmental education and presents a useful mediumfor marine pollution education as they can be readilyused by all stakeholders, including seafarers on boardships. Videos also provide an opportunity for corpo-rate sponsorship through advertising, especially byrelevant industries such as the shipping industry,manufacturers of boating and fishing equipment andthe manufacturers of marine pollution equipment.

Aim

To stimulate commitment by all stakeholders to re-ducing/eliminating marine pollution in the Pacific is-lands region by raising awareness about the impactsof marine pollution and the options available to re-duce/eliminate these impacts.

Scope

• This project applies to all Pacific island countriesand the output could be used by island territories.

• The video will target the full range of stakeholders,including school students, school teachers,university students, coastal communities andvillages, the shipping industry (including mariners),the fishing industry, non-government organisations,women’s groups and all levels of government.

33


Project EAR 3: Marine Pollution Education Kit for Schools

Introduction

In order to gain long-term benefits from environmen-tal education it is important to target the emerginggenerations who will be taking up positions in indus-try and government in future years. Environmentaleducation as a formal part of school curriculums is arelatively recent phenomenon in the region, and gen-erally does not include an explicit marine pollutioncomponent at this time. Targeting school students aspart of marine pollution education and awareness rais-ing is a high priority under PACPOL.

Aim

To stimulate commitment by primary and secondaryschool students to reducing/eliminating marine pol-lution in the Pacific islands region, by raising aware-ness about the impacts of marine pollution and theoptions available to reduce/eliminate these impacts.

Scope

• This project applies to all Pacific island countriesand the output could be used by island territories.

• This project targets both primary and secondaryschools.

Outputs

• Development of a marine pollution education kit,with exercise workbooks and other teaching/learning resources (including outputs of projects

EAR 1 and 2) for use by regional educationsystems.

• The kit must be regionally relevant and culturallyappropriate, and have a distinct Pacific islandsflavour whilst getting the desired messages across tothe target audiences effectively.

• Kits will be produced in a variety of languageswhere beneficial and cost-effective.

Methods

• The education kit will be produced by a consultancyon contract to SPREP.


• Methods will include significant consultation withregional education administrations, teachers’ groupsand the SPREP general environmental educationprogramme.

Budget

US$ 30,000

Time frame

• Development of the education kit will be completedwithin six months of contract signing.

• Implementation, annual reviews and periodicupdates throughout the five year PACPOLimplementation period (subject to funding).



Project EAR 4: Marine Pollution Module for Tertiary Education Institutions

Introduction

Many graduates of science, geography and othercourses in tertiary education will take up positions inindustry and government where they may be directlyresponsible for or involved in the management ofmarine pollution in the region. It is vital to ensurethat these graduates have adequate skills and qualifi-cations (capacity) to undertake such roles. Ensuringthat regional tertiary education courses include ap-propriate marine pollution component is therefore animportant part of PACPOL.

Aims

• To stimulate commitment by tertiary students toreducing/eliminating marine pollution in the Pacificislands region by raising awareness about theimpacts of marine pollution and the optionsavailable to reduce/eliminate these impacts.

• To provide students in relevant tertiary courses withthe basic qualifications to assist marine pollutionmanagement positions in relevant organisationsupon graduation (capacity building).

Scope

This project applies to all Pacific island countries andthe output could be used by island territories.

Outputs

• A review of regional university/other tertiarycourses identifying opportunities to insert/further

develop a marine pollution education component(e.g. in science and geography).

• Development of a marine pollution educationmodule, with teaching/learning resources, for useby regional tertiary education systems.

Methods

• The review of tertiary courses and development of amarine pollution education module will beconducted as two sequential phases, internally atSPREP by PACPOL staff.

• Methods will include significant consultation withregional tertiary education administrations,lecturers’ groups and the SPREP generalenvironmental education programme.

Budget

SPREP in-house (PACPOL staff time and minor ma-terials).

Time frame

• Review of tertiary courses and development of themarine pollution education component within sixmonths of commencement.

• Implementation and annual reviews throughout thefive year PACPOL implementation period (subjectto funding).

35


Project EAR 5. Marine Pollution Module for Maritime Training Institutes

Introduction

As the individuals who actually do the polluting, and/or who are responsible for preventing pollution (asthe case may be), seafarers are perhaps the most im-portant target audience for the marine pollution edu-cation and awareness raising programme.

There are a number of maritime training institutes inthe region, from which seafarers are provided to boththe regional and international shipping fleets. Mostmaritime training curriculums in the region includesome coverage of marine pollution. However, an im-portant task for PACPOL is to ensure that such cov-erage is providing maximum results in terms of re-ducing/eliminating pollution from ships.

Aims

• To stimulate commitment by maritime students toreducing/eliminating marine pollution in the Pacificislands region, by raising awareness about theimpacts of marine pollution and the optionsavailable to reduce/eliminate these impacts.

• To provide maritime students with the qualificationsnecessary to reduce/eliminate maritime pollutionfrom their operations once they commenceemployment as seafarers.

Scope

This project applies to all Pacific island countries andthe output could be used by island territories.

Outputs

• A review of regional maritime training coursesidentifying opportunities to insert/further develop amaritime pollution education component.

• Development of such a component, with teaching/learning resources, for use by regional maritimetraining institutes.

Methods

• The review of maritime training courses anddevelopment of a marine pollution module will beconducted internally at SPREP by PACPOL staff.

• Methods will include significant consultation withSPC RMP, regional maritime training institutes andthe SPREP general environmental educationprogramme.

Budget

SPREP in-house (PACPOL staff time and minor ma-terials). Support from SPC RMP.

Time frame

• Development of marine pollution module within sixmonths of commencement.

• Implementation and annual reviews throughout thefive-year PACPOL implementation period.



Project EAR 6: PACPOL Media Strategy

Introduction

Newspapers, radio and television provide importantmedia for general awareness raising. A comprehen-sive media strategy will be developed for PACPOLand implemented throughout the region.

Aim

To make maximum use of the news media as a toolfor raising general awareness throughout the Pacificislands region about marine pollution and the activi-ties of PACPOL.

Scope

The PACPOL media strategy will apply to all formsof the news media throughout the Pacific islands re-gion plus Australia and New Zealand. It will coverall PACPOL activities.

Outputs

Development and implementation of a media strat-egy which effectively raises awareness throughout the

region about marine pollution and the activities ofPACPOL.

Methods

The PACPOL media strategy will be developed in-house by SPREP media staff, in close consultationwith PACPOL staff.

Budget

SPREP in-house (PACPOL and media staff time andminor materials).

Time frame

• Strategy be developed within one month ofcommencement.

• Implementation and monthly reviews throughoutthe five year PACPOL implementation period.

37

Conventions and Legislation (CL) projects

Regulation of the shipping industry by governmentis an important tool for setting and maintaining stand-ards, particularly in relation to crew conditions, safetyand environment protection. Because shipping is aninternational, global industry, it is essential that regu-latory regimes are also international, and that con-sistent standards are applied globally.

IMO has developed a number of international con-ventions which provide a standardised regulatory re-gime for the shipping industry. Several of these con-ventions regulate marine pollution. The status of in-ternational marine pollution conventions in SPREPmember countries is contained in Appendix I. Someimportant ones are:

• The International Convention for the Prevention ofPollution from Ships 1973 as amended by theProtocol of 1978 (MARPOL).

• MARPOL regulates the design and operation ofships in relation to six types of marine pollution,through six annexes. These are:− Annex I Oil− Annex II Noxious liquid substances− Annex III Harmful packaged substances− Annex IV Sewage− Annex V Garbage− Annex VI Air emissions.

• The International Convention on Oil PollutionPreparedness, Response and Cooperation 1990(OPRC).

− OPRC provides a regime for internationalcooperation in the response to oil spills fromships. OPRC is currently being developedfurther to include spills of hazardous materialsand chemicals from ships. Within the Pacific

islands region, the Protocol coveringCooperation in Combating PollutionEmergencies of the SPREP Conventionprovides a regional equivalent of OPRC.

• The Convention on the Prevention of MarinePollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter1972, as amended by the Protocol of 1996 (LondonConvention).− This Convention, as amended by the 1996

Protocol, prohibits the dumping of wastes atsea, except for a restricted list of specifiedsubstances, and provides a regime for theenvironmental assessment and management ofthose substances which may be dumped. Itapplies to wastes which are loaded onto vesselsfor the purpose of dumping at sea, and not towastes generated by the day-to-day operation ofvessels. The latter are covered by MARPOL.Within the Pacific islands region, the Protocolfor the Prevention of Pollution of the SouthPacific Region by Dumping of the SPREPConvention provides a regional equivalent ofthe London Convention (although it is currentlynot consistent with the London Convention andits 1996 Protocol).

Four projects will be carried out under PACPOL toassist countries with conventions and legislation:

• Project CL1: Marine Pollution Legislation forPacific Island Countries

• Project CL 2: Updating of the SPREP ConventionProtocols

• Project CL 3: Ratification/implementation of IMOConventions

• Project CL 4: Representation of the Pacific IslandsRegion at IMO.



Project CL1: Marine Pollution Legislation for Pacific Island Countries

Introduction

International conventions are of no use if they arenot implemented within national jurisdictions by do-mestic legislation. If Pacific island countries are tobe able to effectively reduce marine pollution, theymust have effective regulatory regimes. Many Pacificisland countries are not parties to, have not ratifiedand/or have not implemented IMO marine pollutionconventions.

It is not absolutely necessary for countries to ratifysuch conventions in order to regulate marine pollu-tion. Several Pacific island countries have alreadydeveloped marine pollution legislation. Even if thesecountries are not party to or have not ratified relevantIMO conventions, it is essential that such legislationis totally consistent with these conventions. This willensure that shipping in the region is subject to thesame regulatory regime as other parts of the world,and will facilitate future ratification and implementa-tion of IMO conventions by these countries.

Aim

To improve the protection of coastal and marine en-vironments in the Pacific islands region by ensuringthat each Pacific island country has effective nationalmarine pollution legislation consistent with relevantinternational marine pollution conventions.

Scope

• This project will apply to all Pacific islandcountries.

• The legislation will apply to all ships and types ofmarine pollution as defined in Section 2.4 ofPACPOL.

Outputs

• A review of the current status of marine pollutionlegislation in each Pacific island country, includingwhether such legislation exists, if it does whether itis consistent with the relevant internationalconventions and whether it is consistent with theregional model.

• Development of Model Marine PollutionLegislation that is consistent with the relevantinternational conventions for use by Pacific islandcountries to develop their national legislation.

• Provision of technical assistance to Pacific islandcountries to draft marine pollution legislationconsistent with the regional model, or if theyalready have marine pollution legislation, to updatesuch legislation should it not be consistent with theregional model.

Methods

The project will be undertaken collaboratively bySPREP and SPC through the SPREP Marine Pollu-tion Adviser and Legal Officer and the SPC RegionalMaritime Legal Adviser.

Budget

US$60,000 plus support-in-kind from SPREP andSPC RMP.

Time frame

Two years from date of commencement.

39


Project CL 2: Updating of the SPREP Convention Protocols

Introduction

As stated above, the Protocol covering Cooperationin Combating Pollution Emergencies of the SPREPConvention provides a regional equivalent of OPRCand the Protocol for the Prevention of Pollution ofthe South Pacific Region by Dumping of the SPREPConvention provides a regional equivalent of theLondon Convention. Neither of these protocols is cur-rently consistent with the international conventionsthat they are intended to implement in the region.

Aim

To facilitate implementation of the OPRC and Lon-don Conventions in the Pacific islands region by en-suring that the respective protocols to the SPREPConvention are consistent with these two internationalconventions.

Scope

This project will apply to the two protocols of theSPREP Convention.

Outputs

Amendments to the two protocols of the SPREP Con-vention to bring them into line with the OPRC andLondon Conventions (and its 1996 Protocol) respec-tively.

Methods

This project will be undertaken by a working groupfrom SPREP, New Zealand and IMO.

Budget

US$30,000 (plus in-house support-in-kind fromSPREP, New Zealand and IMO).

Time frame

Twelve months from commencement.



Project CL 3: Ratification/implementation of IMO Conventions

Methods

• Much of project CL1 will be aimed at delivering theoutputs of this project. In addition, every opportunitywill be taken by SPREP to lobby Pacific islandcountries to join IMO and adopt/ratify/implementIMO marine pollution conventions through allPACPOL projects and awareness raising mediumsand events.

• Technical assistance and advice will be provided tocountries as requested.

Budget

CL 1 plus SPREP in-house staff time.

Time frame

Ongoing throughout implementation of PACPOL.

Introduction

Once each Pacific island country has passed integratedmarine pollution legislation which is consistent with IMOmarine pollution conventions, it will be much easier forthese countries to adopt, ratify and implement these con-ventions, thereby further strengthening their ability toeffectively regulate marine pollution.

Aim

All Pacific island countries join IMO and adopt, ratifyand implement all IMO marine pollution conventions.

Scope

This project applies to all Pacific island countries thatare not IMO members and/or have not adopted, ratifiedor implemented all IMO marine pollution conventions(refer to Appendix I).

Outputs

Membership of IMO and ratification and implementa-tion of IMO marine pollution conventions by all Pacificisland countries.

41


Project CL 4: Representation of the Pacific Islands Region at IMO

Introduction

The Pacific islands region currently has limited rep-resentation at IMO. Several countries, such as Fiji,Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are members of IMO.Whilst some such as Vanuatu maintain permanentrepresentation at IMO meetings, many find it diffi-cult to send delegates due to limited resources versusthe expense of travelling to IMO headquarters in Lon-don.

SPREP has signed a Memorandum of Understandingwith IMO which allows observer status at IMO meet-ings, but generally does not attend meetings, also dueto a lack of resources.

This limited representation by the region at IMOmeans that the international regulatory regime forshipping has developed and is developing largelywithout consideration of the interests of the Pacificislands. This can sometimes have disadvantages andmay cause negative impacts in the region.

Aim

Effective and cost-effective representation of Pacificislands’ interests at IMO.

Scope

This project applies to all Pacific island countries andonly those IMO activities that relate to marine pollu-tion.

Outputs

An international regulatory regime for shipping whichreflects the needs of the Pacific islands region, and

which does not disadvantage or cause inadvertentimpacts on the region.

Methods

• Representation of Pacific islands’ interests is mostappropriately carried out by individual IMOmember countries themselves. However, regionalorganisations such as SPREP can assist as observersat IMO meetings, disseminating information toSPREP member countries, and presentingstatements on behalf of member countries.

• SPREP PACPOL staff can assist with this role.• A vital role of this representative will be to canvas

views from all Pacific island countries prior to IMOmeetings, to ensure effective representation of theseviews at IMO and to report back to countries aftermeetings.

• In selecting which IMO meetings to attend, SPREPwill carefully consider the relevance of the meetingagenda and the likely benefits for SPREP membercountries versus the costs of attendance. In theinterests of cost-effectiveness, only highest prioritymeetings of direct relevance to member countrieswill be attended.

Budget

US$5,000/year (ongoing).

Time frame

Ongoing.


Introduced Marine Species (IMS) projects

ping in the region. Two projects are proposed to ad-dress the IMS issue in the Pacific islands region:

• Project IMS 1: Introduced Marine Species RiskAssessment for the Pacific Islands Region (IMSRisk Assessment)

• Project IMS 2: Surveys for Introduced MarineSpecies in Pacific Islands Ports (IMS Surveys).

Introduced marine species (IMS) constitute a majorthreat to marine biodiversity, fisheries, aquacultureand even human health. Shipping, via ships’ ballastwater and hull fouling, is a major vector for the intro-duction of foreign marine species. No work has beendone to date to address this issue in the Pacific is-lands region, despite the fact that it may constitutethe major threat to the marine environment from ship-

43


Project IMS 1: Introduced Marine Species Risk Assessment for the Pacific Islands Region

Introduction

Whilst some work has been done in the region onintroduced marine species (IMS) in relation to non-shipping vectors such as aquaculture (Eldridge 1994),shipping-related IMS have not been addressed at all.In order to develop a programme which effectivelyaddresses IMS in the region, it is necessary to firstidentify high risk and/or problem areas and developfocused, prioritised actions to address these.

Aim

To assess the risk of IMS in the Pacific islands re-gion via shipping.

Scope

All Pacific island countries, all ship types and bothballast water and hull fouling as vectors.

Outputs

• For each shipping lane in the region, identificationof mid-ocean ballast exchange locations (especiallyrelating to transit shipping), including times,frequencies and volumes of discharge.

• For each port in the region, characterisation of thedeballasting cycle, including locations, times,frequencies and volumes of ballast waterdischarged, and description of any hull-cleaningpractices.

• For each port in the region, identification of its fullset of source ports from which ships arrive.

• For each port in the region, development of anenvironmental similarity matrix with its set ofsource ports from which ships arrive.

• For each port in the region, identification of a targetlist of foreign marine species that pose the highestrisk of being introduced.

• For each Pacific island country, a statement on therisk of IMS occurring via shipping.

• Critical discussion of and recommendationsstemming from the above.

Methods

• This project will be undertaken by a consultancy oncontract to SPREP.

• Methods to be used will be proposed by theconsultant and assessed/approved by SPREP.

• Methods to include use of the outputs of RA1 andHilliard and Raaymakers (1997).

• The project may be staged, with a small sample ofpilot study ports addressed first.

Budget

US$500,000.

Time frame

The project will be completed within 18 months ofcontract signing.



Project IMS 2: Surveys for IMS in Pacific Island Ports

• recommendations for management action andfurther monitoring

• Building of capacity at USP for future surveys.

Methods

• This project will be carried out by a consultancy oncontract to SPREP. The consultancy will includerelevant regional expertise such as the MarineStudies Programme at USP, the Bishop Museum inHawaii and James Cook University of NorthQueensland. The latter two will undertake capacitybuilding for the former throughout the project.

• Survey methods outlined in Hewitt and Martin 1996will be used as a model for the field surveys.

• Field surveys will be preceded by literature reviewsfor each Pacific island country.

• Three pilot studies will be conducted initially.

Budget

• Initial pilot studies: US$300,000.• Remaining surveys: US$2 million.

Time frame

• Initial pilot studies: 18 months fromcommencement.

• Remaining surveys: three years from date ofcommencement.

Introduction

It is necessary to obtain a picture of the current ex-tent and impacts of existing introduced marine spe-cies throughout the region. This will provide man-agement with an understanding of the extent and se-verity of current introductions, allow managementresponses (if any) to be formulated, and complementthe work under Project IMS 1.

Aims

• To determine the presence/absence of IMS in thePacific island ports, including, if possible, thevector by which any IMS found may have arrived.

• To assess the impacts of any IMS in the region.• To recommend management responses to any IMS

in the region

Scope

This project will apply to all main ports in Pacificisland countries.

Outputs

For each Pacific island country, a report on a surveyfor IMS in each country, including:

• literature review and survey results (includingspecies lists and GIS maps of distribution)

• assessment of impacts of any IMS found

45

Marine Spills (MS) projects

still a major concern. Because many Pacific islandsare so small, and because their populations are highlydependent on coastal and marine environments, evena relatively small spill can have significant negativeimpacts on Pacific island communities. Ten projectsare proposed to address Marine Spills (MS) from ship-ping in the Pacific islands region:

• Project MS 1: Marine Spill Prevention Review• Project MS 2: Regional and National Marine Spill

Contingency Plans• Project MS 3: Annual PACPOL Workshops• Project MS 4: Regional Spill Response Equipment

Strategy• Project MS 5: Regional Marine Spill Reporting

Centre (PACPRep)• Project MS 6: Regional Marine Pollution

Surveillance System (PACPOLPatrol)• Project MS 7: Coastal Resource Mapping• Project MS 8: Marine Spill Trajectory Modelling• Project MS 9: Review of Impacts of Marine Oil

Spills on Pacific Island Environments.

Major shipping accidents resulting in catastrophic oilspills are probably the most familiar form of marinepollution to the general public, enhanced by the com-prehensive media coverage usually afforded suchevents. However, they are not necessarily the worstform of marine pollution. Some would argue that theenvironmental impacts of introduced marine species,which are usually irreversible, are far worse than theimpacts of oil spills, from which ecosystems will even-tually recover over time.

In many areas, especially enclosed ports and busyshipping lanes, low-level, chronic oil pollution fromregular small-scale spills and discharges of waste oilis a more serious problem than major oil spills. Inaddition to oil, there is a whole range of chemicalsand hazardous materials that are carried by ships,which can cause severe impacts if spilt into the ma-rine environment.

Although shipping levels and quantities of oil andhazardous materials carried in the Pacific islands re-gion are low compared to other areas of the world,the risks of shipping incidents resulting in spills is



Project MS 1: Marine Spill Prevention Review

• vessel fuelling operations/procedures• domestic and regional vessel design standards• crewing standards• provision of navigation aids• pilotage requirements• Port State Control capabilities.

Outputs

A report reviewing the current status and standard ofmarine spill prevention measures in the Pacific is-lands region, as listed under scope, with recommen-dations for any improvements required in each Pa-cific island country.

Methods

• This project will be carried out by a consultancy oncontract to SPREP.

• Methods will be proposed by the consultancy andreviewed/approved by SPREP.

• Methods to include significant consultation withSPC RMP, national maritime administrations andshipping and oil companies in Pacific islandcountries, including country visits.

Budget

US$100,000

Time frame

This project will be completed within six months ofcontract signing.

Introduction

Because of inherent limitations in the ability to pro-tect the environment once a pollutant has been spiltinto the sea, PACPOL places the highest priority onmeasures to prevent marine spills from occurring.

Most measures for preventing marine spills are aimedat preventing shipping accidents, such as groundingsand collisions, and therefore relate to shipping safety.In addition, accidents during the transfers from shipto shore and shore to ship are a major source of ma-rine spills.

Through Project MS 1, PACPOL seeks to reviewcurrent arrangements for the prevention of marinespills in the region and recommend ways of improv-ing such arrangements.

Aim

To reduce the frequency of marine spills in the Pa-cific islands region by improving marine spill pre-vention measures in the region.

Scope

This project will address all measures to prevent ma-rine spills from shipping in all Pacific island coun-tries, including:

• oil/hazardous cargo loading/unloading operations/procedures

47


Project MS 2: Regional and National Marine Spill Contingency Plans

of all relevant government organisations plus theshipping, port and oil industries.

• SPREP Guidelines and Template for NationalMarine Spill Contingency Plans (SPREPNATPLAN Guidelines), for use by countries indeveloping NATPLANs. Technical advice andassistance, and financial assistance (US$5,000 percountry) for Pacific island countries to develop andimplement NATPLANs.

Methods

• PACPLAN and the SPREP NATPLAN Guidelineswill be developed in-house by SPREP inconsultation with SPREP member countries andterritories, IMO and the oil industry.

• NATPLANs will be developed in-country by themarine pollution committees formed in eachcountry. SPREP will provide technical assistanceand a reimbursement grant of US$5,000 per countryto these committees, as NATPLANs are completedand submitted to SPREP.

Budget

US$75,000.

Time frame

• PACPLAN and SPREP NATPLAN Guidelinescompleted within 12 months of commencement.

• Development of NATPLANs will depend onindividual countries.

Introduction

While priority must be given to spill prevention, it isalso necessary to have a capability to respond to ma-rine spills should they occur. Some Pacific islandcountries have developed contingency plans, how-ever in many cases these have not been updated, ex-ercised or communicated to relevant agencies.

Aim

To improve marine spill response capabilities in thePacific islands region, by developing a regional con-tingency plan and assisting Pacific island countriesto develop national plans.

Scope

• Contingency plans will be developed andimplemented for both the regional and nationallevels.

• Consistent with world’s best practice, these planswill cover spills of all types of pollutants (not justoil) into marine waters from all sources (not justshipping).

Outputs

• A Pacific Islands Regional Marine SpillContingency Plan (PACPLAN). This will contain,amongst other things, broad aims and objectives,underlying spill response philosophies andpriorities, roles and responsibilities of relevantorganisations, regional and supra-regional linkagesand mechanisms for accessing regional and supra-regional assistance.

• A National Marine Pollution Committee in eachPacific island country, comprising representatives



Project MS 3: Annual PACPOL Workshops

personnel from government environmental andmaritime administrations and the oil industry. It isdesigned to provide a general but reasonablydetailed overview of all aspects of spill response.

• The one-day desk-top exercise and one-daycoordination meeting will involve personnel fromall SPREP member countries and territories.

Outputs

• A four day marine spill response training course for50 trainees.

• A one-day desk-top exercise of a regional responseto a major marine spill under PACPLAN.

• A one-day regional PACPOL coordination meeting.

Methods

The annual PACPOL workshops will be organisedby SPREP PACPOL staff. The venue will rotate to adifferent Pacific island country each year.

Budget

US$50,000 per workshop. Support-in-kind from thegovernment and oil industry in the host country andSPREP developed countries.

Time frame

Six days in late October each year. Ongoing (subjectto funding).

Introduction

The development of regional and national capabili-ties to effectively respond to marine spills requirestraining, exercises and coordination. During the 1980sand until 1992 SPREP, IMO and Australia held bian-nual workshops in both Fiji and Australia to trainpersonnel from Pacific island countries in marine spillresponse. No such workshops have been held since1992. PACPOL will resurrect regional marine spillresponse training and combine it with annual exer-cising of the regional marine spill contingency plan(PACPLAN) and a regional coordination meeting,through annual workshops.

Aims

To improve the protection of coastal and marine en-vironments in the Pacific islands region, by:

• training personnel from Pacific island countries inmarine spill response

• exercising PACPLAN• improving regional coordination in marine spill

response matters.

Scope

• The workshops will cover the response to spills ofall forms of hazardous substances from all sourcesinto the marine environment.

• The training course is based on the IMO Level 2Model Course, and targets middle-management

49


Project MS 4: Regional Spill Response Equipment Strategy

Outputs

• A review of current spill response equipment needsin all Pacific island countries, considering likelyspill scenarios, local conditions and capacity tooperate, store and maintain such equipment.

• Development of a regional equipment strategy,which identifies the most cost-effective way ofproviding for each country’s needs (includingopportunities for use of local resources and accessto regional arrangements).

• The strategy will be provided to countries, the oilindustry and major donors to pursue provision ofthe identified equipment needs on a bilateral basis.

Methods

• This project will be undertaken as a consultancy oncontract to SPREP. Methods used will be proposedby the consultancy and reviewed/approved bySPREP. Methods to include country visits.

• Three experts will each be assigned to one of thethree subregions of Micronesia, Melanesia andPolynesia (the region is too large to be covered by asingle expert).

Budget

US$70,000.

Time frame

The project will be completed within six months ofcommencement.

Introduction

Marine spill contingency plans are of little value ifappropriate equipment is not available to respond tothe spill. Whilst equipment is necessary, caution mustbe exercised to ensure that any investment of capitalfunds results in the most suitable equipment for thetask and circumstances. The sustainability of such in-vestment, including training, storage and mainte-nance, needs to be considered carefully.

Often simple, low-cost options utilising locally avail-able products can be more effective and appropriatethan expensive high technology. For example, chickenfeathers, coconut husks or kapok wrapped with a fish-ing net can be used as a basic oil absorbent boom.

The option of sharing equipment through centralisedregional resource centres, or accessing existing re-source centres around the region, needs to be exploredas a cost-effective way of providing major items ofequipment in the event of a spill.

Aim

To improve marine spill response capabilities in thePacific islands region, through the identification ofregionally appropriate equipment arrangements.

Scope

This project applies to all Pacific island countries,and includes regional arrangements for access to re-source centres in Pacific island territories and SPREPdeveloped countries.



Project MS 5: Regional Marine Spill Reporting Centre (PACRep)

Outputs

• Development of a standardised marine PollutionReport (POLREP) for completion by spill responseagencies in each Pacific island country, andforwarding to SPREP in the event of a spill, forentry into the PACPRep database.

• Establishment of the PACPRep database at SPREP.• Annual reporting of data to Pacific island countries

and other stakeholders for use by management.

Methods

• This project will be undertaken in-house at SPREPby PACPOL staff.

• Methods will include evaluation of similar spillreporting centres and databases in other countries(e.g. OILSPILL database developed by AMSA).

• Individual countries will be responsible forcompleting and submitting POLREPs.

Budget

SPREP in-house (staff time).

Time frame

• Establishment of PACRep will completed withinthree months of commencement.

• Reporting, recording and analysis will be ongoing.

Introduction

An underlying principal of PACPOL is that you needto measure in order to manage. At present, data onthe sources, frequencies, locations and types of ma-rine spills in the region is generally unavailable. Thismakes it difficult to assess where the problem areasare located and to target management action.

Development of a Regional Marine Spill ReportingCentre would allow a database to be built, therebyproviding useful information to management, includ-ing performance indicators to assess the effectivenessof PACPOL projects in reducing spills. It would alsoassist more effective coordination of regional andsupra-regional assistance to Pacific island countries.

Aim

To improve marine spill response capabilities in thePacific islands region, by providing data on marinespills in the region for use by management.

Scope

This project applies to all types of marine spills (notjust oil) from all sources (not just shipping) in allPacific island countries.

51


Project MS 6: Regional Marine Pollution Surveillance System (PACPOLPatrol).

• training of aerial surveillance personnel in marinepollution surveillance;

• a system for voluntary participation by civilaviation as opportunistic observers;

• development of mechanisms for the rapid reportingof observed pollution incidents to enforcement andresponse authorities;

• development of a standardised marine PollutionReport (POLREP) for completion by surveillancepersonnel and submission as required.

Methods

• Developmental tasks and coordination will beundertaken in-house at SPREP by PACPOL staff.

• Initiation and coordination of the system, andtraining of observers, will piggy-back on the annualaerial surveillance meetings managed by FFA.

• Implementation of the system will piggy-back onexisting surveillance and observer programmes.

Budget

US$5,000 for initiation meeting plus ongoing sup-port-in-kind from SPREP and participating parties.

Time frame

Ongoing.

Introduction

Effective responses to marine spills and other marinepollution (e.g. discharges of ships’ garbage), includingeffective enforcement action, require a surveillancesystem. Such a system can also provide data on thesources, frequencies, locations and types of marinespills in the region for use by management, as perProject MS 6. There is currently no concertedsurveillance system targeting marine pollution in theregion.

Aim

To improve marine pollution management in the Pa-cific islands region by providing an effective marinepollution surveillance system to assist enforcementand other management efforts.

Scope

All types of marine pollution from all ship types inall Pacific island countries.

Outputs

Development of a Regional Marine Pollution Surveil-lance System (PACPOLPatrol) which utilises exist-ing surveillance platforms and programmes (e.g. aerialsurveillance by regional airforces, FFA/SPC fisher-ies surveillance and observer programmes, routinecivil aviation and Pacific patrol boats programme).This system to include:

• development of a quick reference flip-chart; “AerialSurveillance Guidelines for Marine Pollution in thePacific Islands Region”;



Project MS 7: Coastal Resource Mapping

use/non-use zones and spill response equipment andpriorities.

Methods

• This project will be undertaken as a consultancy oncontract to SPREP.


• Maximum use is to be made of all existing data,including resource maps from other programmes.

• Whilst coastal resource maps will ultimately begenerated for the entire coastlines of all Pacificisland countries, the consultancy will proposeundertaking three pilot projects to begin with (to bedetermined).

• Standardised terms, symbols and classificationsystems, such as those outlined in IPIECA/IMOpublication Sensitivity Mapping for Oil SpillResponse 1996, shall be used.

Budget

• Initial pilot studies: US$300,000.• Remaining surveys: US$2 million.• Total: US$2.3 million.

Time frame


• Remaining surveys: three years from date ofcommencement.

Introduction

Useful tools in marine spill response are maps show-ing the locations of coastal and marine resources thatmight be impacted by or used in the response to aspill. Such maps can be used to assess priorities forprotection and to better plan the response. Coastalresource maps can be produced either as hard-copymaps or in electronic form on a computerised Geo-graphic Information System (GIS).

Coastal resource mapping is highly advanced in manycountries, not only for marine spill response but alsogeneral coastal resource management. Some coastalresource mapping has already been done for somePacific islands.

Aim

To improve marine spill response capabilities in thePacific islands region, by providing coastal resourcemaps for use in spill contingency plans.

Scope

This project applies to the entire coastline of all Pa-cific island countries.

Outputs

For each Pacific island country, a coastal resourcemap, both in hard copy and GIS, showing the spatialand temporal distribution of all biological, culturalheritage, recreational, commercial and industrial re-sources and infrastructure, environmental sensitivitygradings, protection priorities, chemical dispersant

53


Project MS 8: Marine Spill Trajectory Modelling

Outputs

A three dimensional marine spill trajectory model,linked with the coastal resource map developed un-der Project MS 7, for each high risk area in each Pa-cific island country.

Methods

• This project will be undertaken by a consultancy oncontract to SPREP.

• Methods will be proposed by the consultancy andreviewed/approved by SPREP.

• Methods will include an initial review of anyexisting models and the availability of physicaloceanographic data, collection of high priorityoceanographic data where needed, development,testing and implementation of the models andtraining of regional personnel in the use of themodels.

Whilst models will ultimately be generated for highrisk areas in all Pacific island countries, the consul-tancy will propose undertaking three pilot projects tobegin with (to be determined).

Budget

• Initial pilot studies: US$300,000.• Remaining models: US$2 million.

Time frame


• Remaining models: Three years from date ofcommencement.

Introduction

The use of computerised hydrodynamic models tosimulate the dispersal of marine spills has been un-der development for over a decade. They provide auseful tool for predicting the likely trajectory of a spillunder given conditions. Such models can be linkedto GIS coastal resource maps to provide an indica-tion of the resources likely to be impacted under aparticular spill scenario.

It should be noted that such models are limited by thequantity and quality of physical data available toverify and calibrate the model. The main benefit isfor pre-spill planning, rather than assisting a real-timeresponse. For any given site, such as a port or highrisk shipping lane, a range of spill scenarios underdiffering weather conditions can be modelled and thelikely impacts predicted. This information can thenbe fed into the marine spill contingency plan for thearea, allowing better planning, more accurate estab-lishment of response priorities, predetermination ofresponse options and pre-positioning of equipment.Generally, such models currently do not exist for thePacific islands region.

Aim

To improve marine spill response capabilities in thePacific islands region, by providing spill trajectorymodels for high risk areas, for use in spill contingencyplans.

Scope

This project applies to all Pacific island countries,but models will only be developed for high risk areas(ports and busy shipping lanes).



Project MS 9: Review of Impacts of Marine Oil Spills on Pacific Island Environments

Scope

This project will address the impacts of oil spills onall Pacific island coastal/marine environments.

Outputs

A report presenting aims, methods, results, criticaldiscussion and management recommendations.

Methods

• This project will be conducted by a consultancy oncontract to SPREP.

• Methods will be based on a review of spills thathave occurred in the region to date, including thesignificant oil pollution that occurred in some areasof the Pacific during the World War II.

• The project will not include manipulative fieldexperiments.

• Methods used by Duke et al (1998) will be used as amodel.

Budget

US$150,000.

Time frame

The project will be completed within 12 months ofcommencement.

Introduction

Perceptions of the impacts of marine spills, includ-ing oil spills, on marine and coastal environments varywidely. Baker (1990) reports that impacts of oil spillscan range from total devastation of mangrove foreststhrough to actual short-term enhancement of growthrates in some marsh plants.

An increased understanding of the environmentalimpacts of marine oil spills is essential to improvedspill response. The impacts of oil spills on Pacificisland environments have generally not been investi-gated. Management must rely on data from other ar-eas which may not be applicable to conditions in thePacific. Varying conditions in different areas can sig-nificantly influence the impacts of spills. Caution mustbe exercised when transposing research findings fromone area to another.

Aim

To improve the response to marine oil spills in thePacific islands region by providing a better under-standing of the impacts of such spills on Pacific is-land environments.

55

Ships’ Waste (SW) projects

coastal areas, with subsequent negative impacts onrecreation and tourism. Marine debris can also inter-fere with shipping operations themselves, entanglingpropellers and fouling engine cooling water intakesystems.

The management of waste oil, sewage and garbagefrom ships is regulated at the international level byMARPOL Annexes I, IV and V respectively. A keycomponent of these Annexes is a requirement forships’ waste reception facilities to be provided inports. Two projects will be conducted under PACPOLto address ships’ waste in the Pacific islands region:

• Project SW 1: Improving Ships’ WasteManagement in Pacific Islands Ports

• Project SW 2: Coastal Clean-ups.

In addition, all EAR and CL projects will assist inaddressing ships’ waste in the region.

Three general types of waste are generated from day-to-day operations on-board ships; waste oil/oilywaste, sewage and garbage. Disposal of these wastesinto the sea can cause negative environmental im-pacts.

Discharge of waste oil and oily waste from ships cancause chronic oil pollution which in some areas canhave greater impacts than large, one-off oil spills.Ships’ sewage can cause degradation of marine wa-ter quality and have human amenity and health im-pacts when discharged untreated, especially in en-closed waterways, ports and harbours.

Ships’ garbage, including plastics and fishing gear,contributes to marine debris. Marine debris can havesevere impacts on marine life through ingestion andentanglement. Marine debris beaching on islands cangreatly reduce the aesthetic and amenity value of



Project SW 1: Improving Ships’ Waste Management in the Pacific Islands ports

Introduction

If adequate facilities are not provided in ports to re-ceive waste off ships, ships’ crews may have littlechoice but to dispose of this waste by dumping it intothe sea. It is therefore necessary to ensure that suchfacilities are available in the Pacific islands region ifships’ waste is to be addressed effectively.

Aim

To improve the protection of coastal and marine en-vironments in the Pacific islands region by develop-ing a regionally coordinated, long-term strategy forthe provision of adequate ships’ waste reception fa-cilities in each Pacific island country and territory, asappropriate.

Scope

• The project will address garbage and waste oil fromall vessels. Generally, it will not address sewage. Itwill only address sewage from vessels in enclosed,poorly flushed harbour areas with concentrations ofvessels, where people live aboard for extendedperiods.

• The project will cover all Pacific island countriesand territories.

Outputs

• A review of the status of ships’ waste receptionfacilities in each country/territory, including:− whether such facilities exist and− if they do, whether they are adequate in relation

to demand and MARPOL requirements.

• A recommended optimum ships’ wastemanagement arrangement for each country/territory,based on the IMO publication ComprehensiveManual on Port Reception Facilities and theANZECC publication Best Practice Guidelines forWaste Reception Facilities in Ports, Marinas andBoat Harbours (in some cases, especially smallatolls, the optimum arrangement may be non-provision of facilities).

• Provision of technical assistance to each countryand territory to implement the recommended ships’waste management arrangement.

Methods

• The first two outputs will be achieved through aconsultancy on contract to SPREP.

• The consultancy team will undertake a fact-findingmission to each Pacific island country and territory.Three experts will be assigned, one to each of thethree subregions of Micronesia, Melanesia andPolynesia (the region is too large to be covered by asingle expert).

Budget

US$150,000.

Time frame

Completion within 12 months of contract signing.

57


Project SW 2: Coastal Clean-ups

Outputs

A marine debris monitoring and coastal clean-up pro-gramme for the region.

Methods

• The output will be achieved through efforts bySPREP to extend the Centre for MarineConservation’s (CMC) International Coastal Clean-up to as many Pacific island countries as possible.

• SPREP will facilitate links between CMC andPacific island countries.

• The marine debris clean-up programmes will becoordinated by the relevant agency in each Pacificisland country.

Budget

SPREP and CMC staff time. Staff time and support-in-kind from participating countries.

Time frame

Annual, ongoing event.

Introduction

Monitoring the types, quantities and locations ofmarine debris that come ashore onto islands can pro-vide useful information to support an improved man-agement response (e.g. better targeted education andenforcement). Linking such monitoring with marinedebris clean-ups is useful for actually improving en-vironmental quality and raising awareness about ma-rine debris.

Aim

To reduce the impacts of marine debris in the Pacificislands region by collecting information on the types,quantities and locations of marine debris in the re-gion and conducting clean-ups of marine debris alongcoastlines in the region.

Scope

This project applies to selected high exposure (sink)coastal sites throughout the region.


Port (PO) projects

tal considerations into port management is a relativelynew concept in the Pacific islands region. Twoprojects are proposed under PACPOL to address this:

• Project PO 1: Environmental Guidelines for PacificIsland Ports

• Project PO 2: Environmental Audits of Regional OilTerminals.

The shipping industry could obviously not operatewithout ports. Ports can be a major source of envi-ronmental impacts, both from the concentration ofshipping that invariably occurs at ports and from thedevelopment and operation of the ports themselves.

Environment protection must form an integral part ofmodern port management. Integration of environmen-

59


Project P0 1: Environmental Guidelines for Pacific Island ports

Outputs

The publication of Environmental Guidelines for Pa-cific Island Ports.

Methods

Development of the guidelines will be undertaken in-house by SPREP PACPOL staff, in consultation withAPP.

Budget

US$2,000 for publication plus SPREP in-house (stafftime).

Time frame

Six months from commencement.

Introduction

Effective integration of environmental considerationsinto port management cannot be achieved without amanagement plan. Most ports in the region do nothave an environmental management plan, and guide-lines that are regionally relevant and appropriate arenot available to assist port authorities with the devel-opment of such plans.

Aim

To improve environmental management of ports inthe region by integrating environmental considera-tions into port management.

Scope

This project applies to all Pacific island countries andthe outputs can be used by island territories.



Project P0 2: Environmental Audits of Regional Oil Terminals

Outputs

• An environmental audit report on a selected sampleof regional oil terminals.

• Training of personnel from Pacific island countriesin environmental auditing.

Methods

• The project will be carried out by a consultant oncontract to SPREP, in consultation with oilcompanies, governments of Pacific island countriesand the ForSec Petroleum Adviser.

• The consultant will propose a sample selection ofhigh priority oil terminals. Terminals can only beaudited with the full agreement and participation ofthe relevant oil company.

• The audit team will consist of the consultant, arepresentative from the relevant oil company andthe government of the relevant Pacific islandcountry. The consultant will provide on-the-jobtraining to the latter two personnel in environmentalauditing of oil terminals.

• Final reports must be approved by the relevant oilcompany, government and SPREP.

Budget

US$50,000 plus support-in-kind from oil companiesand governments of the relevant countries.

Time frame

Six months from commencement. Update every twoyears (subject to funding).

Introduction

Oil terminals are most often located within or imme-diately adjacent to port areas. As major sites for themovement and storage of oil, they are amongst themost significant potential polluters. Prevention ofspills from terminals requires adherence to stringentdesign standards and operating procedures. Whilemajor improvements are underway, some oil termi-nals in the region may not fully comply with mini-mum environmental standards.

Individual oil companies routinely undertake auditsof their terminals, however the results may not al-ways be available to regulators. Governments of Pa-cific island countries currently have limited capacityto undertake independent audits. External environ-mental audits of a selected sample of regional oil ter-minals would assist greatly in determining the cur-rent state of compliance, identification of any im-provements that might be required and in developinglocal auditing capacity.

Aim

To improve environmental management practices atoil terminals throughout the region.

Scope

• This project applies to all Pacific island countries.• Audits will cover compliance with American

Petroleum Institute (API) and Australian Institute ofPetroleum (AIP) design standards and operatingprocedures for environmental protection and spillprevention, including ground and groundwatercontamination.

61

Appendix IV

Project Sheets for Country-specific Projects


PACPOL PROJECT SHEET—Fiji

Project FJ 1: Suva Harbour Marine Pollution Management Plan

• Publication and implementation of the managementplan.

Methods

• This is a major project requiring the establishmentof a full-time planning team comprising twotechnical experts and an administrative assistant forat least the two-year planning phase, accommodatedwith necessary facilities in Suva, supported byconsultants as required.

• An advisory and consultative committee comprisingall relevant stakeholders is also required to overseethe project, including the work of the planningteam, and provide a conduit for stakeholderconsultation and liaison. The existing Fiji NationalMarine Spill Committee should form the nucleus ofthis.

• The implementation phase will be ongoing once themanagement plan is finalised, approved andpublished, and will require full participation by allstakeholders, including industry.

Budget

• Develop management plan: US$1 million.• Implement management plan: to be determined

during development of the plan.

Time frame

• Develop management plan: two years.• Implement plan: to be determined during

development of the plan.

Introduction

Suva harbour is the main commercial port for Fiji. Itprovides tanker berths and associated pipelines forthe discharge of petroleum products, refuelling berthsfor vessels and several slipways and ship-repair fa-cilities. It also receives discharges from a major sew-age works and an industrialised, urban catchment.Marine spills are a chronic feature of Suva harbourand sediments in some areas are the most polluted inthe world. There is an urgent need for an integratedmanagement plan to address this serious situation, asidentified through consultations with Fiji duringPACPOL development.

Aim

To reduce marine pollution in Suva harbour.

Scope

This project applies to all sources of marine pollu-tion in Suva harbour, from catchment boundaries toshore-side industries to ships at anchor within theharbour.

Outputs

• Delineation of the hydrological catchmentboundaries of Suva harbour on GIS.

• Identification and characterisation of all point anddiffuse sources of pollution in the catchment.

• Development of source and industry-specificmeasures to reduce inputs of marine pollution toSuva harbour.

63

PACPOL PROJECT SHEET—Fiji.

Project FJ 2: Vuda Point Contamination Survey

Introduction

Vuda Point on the west coast of Viti Levu hosts Fiji’sthree major oil terminals, comprising the largest oilcomplex in the region outside of Guam and PapuaNew Guinea. Vuda is the main distribution point foroil products to many Pacific island countries, andconstitutes one of the highest risk areas in the regionfor marine spills. The area also has major environ-mental values and sensitivities, including extensivecoastal mangroves, inshore and offshore coral reefsand islands, major tourism values both on the coast-line and islands and major cultural heritage values.The latter take the form of the site, according to tra-ditional oratory, of the first landing and settlement ofMelanesians in Fiji.

Rocky shores, reefs and inter-tidal flats throughoutthe Vuda area are heavily used by local villagers forsubsistence fishing and seafood gathering. Duringconsultations on the development of PACPOL, con-cerns were expressed by the highest levels of the FijiGovernment about the potential for pollution of themarine environment and contamination of seafoodspecies from the terminals. A survey for contamina-tion was requested as a high priority PACPOL project.

Aim

To establish levels of potential contaminants, espe-cially hydrocarbons, in sediments and biota, especiallylocal seafood species, throughout the Vuda area.

Scope

As per aim.

Outputs

• A literature review of any previous pollution studiesin the area.

• Field sampling of sediments and biota andlaboratory analysis for contamination.

• Establishment of a baseline, with fixed samplingsites (including controls) for future monitoring.

• Publication of a report with sampling results andrecommendations for management.

Methods

• This study to be done as a consultancy on contractto SPREP.

• Methods to be proposed by the consultant andreviewed/approved by SPREP.

• Methods to comply with accepted sampling andanalysis procedures and provide a useful andmeaningful level of detection and statistical rigourof the sampling design.

• Methods to include maximum use, where possible,of facilities at USP.

Budget

US$150,000.

Time frame

One year from commencement.


PACPOL PROJECT SHEET—FSM

Project FSM 1. Okat Harbour Environmental Management Plan

Aim

To protect, maintain and improve the environmentand natural resources of Okat harbour and its catch-ment by ensuring that industrial, commercial and otherhuman activity in the area does not cause unaccept-able environmental impacts, consistent with theKosrae State Land Use Plan.

Scope

This project applies to all sources of marine pollu-tion in Okat harbour, from catchment boundaries toshore-side industries to ships within the harbour.

Outputs

• Delineation of the hydrological catchmentboundaries of Suva harbour on GIS.

• Identification and characterisation of all point anddiffuse sources of marine pollution within thecatchment.

• Development of source and industry-specificmeasures to reduce inputs of pollution to Okatharbour and publication of the management plan.

• Implementation of the management plan.

Methods

• Engage a volunteer, such as from AustralianVolunteers Abroad (AVA), to work on developmentof the plan with a national counterpart from theKosrae State Government.

• An advisory and consultative committee comprisingall relevant stakeholders is also required to overseethe project, including the work of the planningteam, and provide a conduit for stakeholderconsultation and liaison.

• The implementation phase will be ongoing once themanagement plan is finalised, approved andpublished, and will require full participation by allstakeholders, including industry.

Budget

• Develop management plan: US$100,000.• Implement management plan: to be determined

during development of the plan.

Time frame

Develop management plan: one year. Implement man-agement plan: to be determined during developmentof the plan.

Introduction

In late 1998, a new Ship Repair Facility (SRF), includ-ing two slipways and associated workshops, opened inthe Okat harbour industrial area on the island of Kosrae,Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).

In addition to its economic and employment values, theSRF also represents a potential source of marine pollu-tion and other environmental impacts in the Okat har-bour area. Okat harbour is designated as an industrialzone by the Kosrae State Government and accommo-dates, in addition to the SRF, a marina for local fishingvessels, the Kosrae international airport, the main sea-port facilities for the island, a tuna packing and exportfacility and petroleum storage and handling facilities.

Despite significant physical modification from thesedevelopments, Okat harbour still possesses importantenvironmental values. These include extensive man-groves, seagrasses and coral reefs and fisheries values.Mangroves in Okat harbour include some of the oldestand best developed in Micronesia. A major trochus sanc-tuary and area of pristine coral reef and seagrasses liesimmediately downstream (in terms of prevailing cur-rents) of the industrial facilities in the harbour.

The waters, sediments and marine life of Okat harbourare currently largely unpolluted. Stringent managementmeasures are required to keep the harbour in its currenthealthy state. An integrated, coordinated EMP for theentire Okat harbour industrial area is required. The ben-efits of taking an integrated, coordinated and coopera-tive approach to the development of such an EMP, ratherthan each industry doing its own thing, include:

• Pollution can occur from all of the facilities in thearea. It is pointless to address pollution from oneindustry, if the adjacent industry is allowed tocontinue to pollute.

• Increased cost-effectiveness and economies of scalecan be achieved if all operations in the area worktogether rather than in isolation.

• Environmental issues can be addressed moreefficiently, in a climate of goodwill rather thanconflict. It will also minimise the need for strictregulatory measures. This can only be of benefit toindustry, and fits well with the peaceful,community-based nature of life on Kosrae.

65

PACPOL PROJECT SHEET—Niue

Project NI 1: Beveridge Reef Resource Survey

Outputs

• A report and data that addresses all elements of theaim.

• Establishment of permanent monitoring sites atBeveridge Reef for use in future monitoring.

Methods

• Standard coral reef survey and monitoringtechniques will be used, as outlined in theAustralian Institute of Marine Science publicationSurvey Manual for Tropical Marine Resources,second edition, 1997.

• Project funds should be provided to the NiueDepartment of Fisheries to carry out the project,with assistance from external consultants contractedby the Department as needed, and with advice fromthe SPREP Coastal Management Programme.

Budget

US$50,000 for initial survey. Further funds for fu-ture monitoring.

Time frame

• Eighteen months initially (including planning,winter and summer survey, data analysis andreporting).

• Ongoing monitoring thereafter.

Introduction

Beveridge Reef is a large mid-ocean coral reef withinthe Exclusive Economic Zone of Niue Island. Its pris-tine, isolated condition represents the most signifi-cant marine biodiversity resource for Niue. The reefpresents a navigation hazard to passing ships and istherefore threatened by pollution incidents, withgroundings of vessels having occurred in recent times.The isolated nature of the reef makes the response tosuch incidents extremely difficult.

Very little is known about the biological, ecologicaland resource values of Beveridge Reef. During con-sultations on the development of PACPOL, the NiueGovernment requested a project to undertake resourcesurveys at the reef, so as to assist with assessing itsvalues and vulnerability to shipping impacts, and pro-vide baseline data for future monitoring, includingany possible post-incident damage assessment.

Aim

To conduct biological, ecological and resource sur-veys of Beveridge Reef, so as to assess its values andvulnerability to shipping impacts, and provide base-line data for future monitoring, including any possi-ble post-incident damage assessment.

Scope

As per aim.


PACPOL PROJECT SHEET—Solomon Islands

Project SI 1: Removal of Oil from World War II Wrecks

Aim

To prevent further pollution of Solomon Islands’waters and coastlines from World War II ship wrecks.

Scope

All World War II ship wrecks in Solomon Islandswaters.

Outputs

Removal of all oil from all World War II ship wreckswhere feasible and practicable.

Methods

To be determined. Salvage expertise of US and Japa-nese Navies could assist to develop this.

Budget

To be determined. Owners of the ship wrecks couldpay (polluter pays principle).

Time frame

To be determined.

Introduction

Waters off the island of Guadacanal in the SolomonIslands were the site of major naval battles duringWorld War II, resulting in numerous sinkings of ves-sels and naming of the area “Iron Bottom Sound”.Many of the war wrecks still contain large quantitiesof oil. After over 50 years of deterioration, some arebeginning to leak and deposit oil residues onGuadacanal beaches. Should one or more of thesewrecks suffer major disturbance, such as during a cy-clone or seismic activity, a major rupture and releaseof oil might occur.

The South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission(SOPAC) is currently (April 1999) mapping all knownwar wrecks in Iron Bottom Sound for the SolomonIslands Government, with funding from UNDP. Oncethe locations, likely condition and contaminant sta-tus of these wrecks is finalised by the SOPAC study,plans can be developed to remove any remaining oiland other pollutants where feasible. During consul-tations on the development of PACPOL, the Solo-mon Islands Government requested a project to dothis. They maintain that the owners of the war wrecks(i.e. the US and Japanese Governments) should beresponsible for funding this project.

south pacific regional environment programme po box 240

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