IMO: LONDON CONVENTION REPORT ON MARINE ENVIRONMENT ISSUES 1. - Passed to the Telegraph by WikiLeaks 9:02PM GMT 04 Feb 2011

Passed to the Telegraph by WikiLeaks 9:02PM GMT 04 Feb 2011

Ref ID: 08LONDON3181
Date: 12/19/2008 16:22
Origin: Embassy London
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

1.SUMMARY: The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) annual meetings for both the 1972 London Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (the "London Convention") and the 1996 Protocol to the London Convention (the "London Protocol") made progress on several marine environment issues. They achieved a strong (but non-binding) resolution on the controversial issue of ocean fertilization for climate change that will allow scientific research while restricting commercial ventures. The meetings made progress on new guidelines for placement of artificial reefs, a reporting format for sub-seabed carbon sequestration projects, and establishing a technical cooperation trust fund. The meetings also adopted guidance on managing spoilt cargo and removal of anti-fouling coatings, and agreed to forward these to the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) for consideration and adoption. Other parties were pleased to hear that the London Protocol is currently before the U.S. Senate, awaiting the Senate's advice and consent to ratification. END SUMMARY

Complete Text at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wikileaks-files/london-wikileaks/8304827/IMO-LONDON-CONVENTION-REPORT-ON-MARINE-ENVIRONMENT-ISSUES-1..html