Main human uses of ocean areas and resources, impacts, and multiple scales of governance - Ocean Sustainability in the 21st Century - page 53

ate in the development of procedures for the effective application of the Convention on the
high seas, including procedures for reporting dumping by vessels or aircraft (UNEP, 2010 ) .
The London Convention has been important in considering the emerging issue of
ocean fertilization.In 2008, the parties to this Convention adopted a resolution on the
regulation of ocean fertilization, which stated that given the present state of knowledge,
ocean fertilization activities other than legitimate scientific research should not be allowed.
Parties further agreed that scientific research proposals should be assessed on a case-by-
case basis.Similar text canalsobeenfoundinrecent (2008and2010)decisions oftheCon-
ference of the Parties to the CBD.
Ballast water and sediments
The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship's Ballast Water and
Sediments (2004, not yet in force) aims to prevent, minimize, and ultimately eliminate the
transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens due to ballast water exchange. The
Convention requires ships to conduct ballast water exchanges at least 200 nautical miles
from the nearest land and in waters deeper than 200 metres, wherever possible (Regulation
B-4, Annex).
It should be noted that the ratification of this Convention has been slow, and despite
its importance in blocking (or at least greatly reducing) one of the major vectors for intro-
duction of invasive alien species,it has yet to enter into force.