Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
The Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (CPUCH)
The UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritagewas ad-
opted in November 2001. The Convention entered into force on 2 January 2009. The Con-
vention protects cultural heritage both within and beyond national jurisdiction and gives
preference to preserving such heritage on site. Thus, parties to the Convention have a re-
sponsibility toprotect cultural heritage foundinthearea.TheConvention definesunderwa-
ter cultural heritage as all traces of human existence having a cultural, historical, or archae-
ological character which has been partially or totally under water for at least one hundred
years. Shipwrecks and other historical or cultural objects can attract the settlement of spe-
cies, and thus protective measures taken under the Convention may have the added benefit
International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments
International rulesandregulations concerningmaritime safety,theefficiency ofnavigation,
and the prevention and control of marine pollution from ships have been developed under
the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). IMO is considered to be
the competent international body under UNCLOS to establish special protective measures
in defined areas where shipping presents a risk. These apply uniformly to all ships and in-
clude routing and discharge restrictions and reporting requirements.
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL
73/78)
Discharges from ships, both accidental and intentional, are regulated by the International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol
of1978relatingthereto(MARPOL73/78).MARPOL73/78regulatesvesseldesign,equip-
ment, and operational discharges from all ships. It also provides for the designation of
special areas where more stringent discharge rules apply, including in respect of oil, nox-
ious liquid substances, and refuse from ships. Special areas are defined as areas where, for
