Barcelona Convention
Encyclopedia
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
. This includes, but is not limited to, dumping, run-off and discharges. Signers agreed to cooperate and assist in dealing with pollution emergencies, monitoring and scientific research. The convention was last amended in 1995.
The Barcelona Convention and its protocols, together with the Mediterranean Action Plan, form part of the UNEP Regional Seas Programme.
Goals
The key goal of the convention is to 'reduce pollution in the Mediterranean Sea and protect and improve the marine environment in the area, thereby contributing to its sustainable development' http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l28084.htm. To achieve this a number of aims and commitments have been composed.Aims
- To prevent, reduce, combat and, as far as possible, eliminate pollution in the Zone of the Mediterranean Sea.
- To attain the objective of sustainable development, taking fully into account the recommendations of MCSD.
- To protect the environment and to contribute to sustainable development:
- By applying the precautionary principle and that the polluter should pay
- By performing Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
- By promoting cooperation between coastal States in EIA procedures.
- To promote the integrated management of coastal zones, taking into account the protection of zones of ecological and landscape interest and the rational use of natural resources. To apply the Convention and its Protocols:
- By adopting programmes and measures with defined deadlines for completion.
- By using the best techniques available and the best environmental practices.
- To formulate and adopt Protocols that prescribe agreed measures, procedures and regulations to apply the Convention.
- To promote, within the relevant international bodies, measures relating to the application of sustainable development programmes and environmental protection, conservation and rehabilitation and the natural resources of the Mediterranean Sea.
Commitments
Members agreed to take specific measures:- against pollution due to dumping from ships and air planes and against incineration at sea,
- against pollution due to discharges from ships,
- against pollution caused by prospection for, and exploitation of, the continental shelf, the seabed and its subsoil,
- against land-based pollution,
- to cooperate in pollution incidents giving rise to situations of emergency,
- to protect biological diversity,
- against pollution due to transboundary movements of dangerous wastes and to eliminate them,
- to monitor pollution,
- to cooperate in science and technology
- to apply environmental legislation, and
- to facilitate public access to information and public participation.
Status
Originally, in 1976, fourteen states (contracting parties) and the European UnionEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
signed the convention. During the review in 1995 all parties signed again. It came in effect on February 12, 1978. The 1995 amendments have yet to be ratified by all members. Members are all countries with a Mediterranean shoreline as well as the European Union. NGOs with a stated interest and third party governments are allowed observer status.
The convention is applicable to the 'Zone of the Mediterranean Sea'. This is defined as 'the maritime waters of the Mediterranean as such, with all its gulfs and tributary seas, bounded to the west by the Strait of Gibraltar
Strait of Gibraltar
The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and separates Spain in Europe from Morocco in Africa. The name comes from Gibraltar, which in turn originates from the Arabic Jebel Tariq , albeit the Arab name for the Strait is Bab el-Zakat or...
and to the east by the Dardanelle Strait
Dardanelles
The Dardanelles , formerly known as the Hellespont, is a narrow strait in northwestern Turkey connecting the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara. It is one of the Turkish Straits, along with its counterpart the Bosphorus. It is located at approximately...
'. Members are allowed to extend the application of the convention to the coastal areas within their own territory.
See also
- Mediterranean SeaMediterranean SeaThe Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
- Law of the SeaLaw of the seaLaw of the sea may refer to:* United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea* Admiralty law* The Custom of the Sea...
- Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean ImportanceSpecially Protected Areas of Mediterranean ImportanceSpecially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance are sites "of importance for conserving the components of biological diversity in the Mediterranean; contain ecosystems specific to the Mediterranean area or the habitats of endangered species; are of special interest at the scientific,...
- Protected areas
- London ConventionConvention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other MatterThe Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972, commonly called the "London Convention" or "LC '72555" and also barbie abbreviated as Marine Dumping, is an agreement to control pollution of the sea by dumping and to encourage regional agreements...