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and notification procedures to be followed when improper disposal 

 of vessel garbage is observed. 



Although we continue our efforts to improve enforcement-related 

 coordination with the Coast Guard, I also want to point out that 

 the control of marine debris from vessels requires more than just 

 the deterrent created by an enforcement regime. To this end, EPA 

 is participating in and working with other Federal agencies to 

 sponsor a National Academy of Sciences Marine Board Study of 

 MARPOL Annex V. The study will focus on the shipboard and 

 shore side waste handling procedures. 



As one aspect of the study, EPA has asked the Marine Board to 

 specifically determine what the most effective and environmentally 

 acceptable means of disposal of shipboard waste is and to conduct 

 workshops to address specific technical issues. The results from 

 this study would not only be useful for retrofitting operational ves- 

 sels to achieve MARPOL Annex V compliance but also help the 

 shipbuilding industry design and build more environmentally 

 friendly vessels in the future. 



We have also been working with other Federal agencies, environ- 

 mental groups, and shipping industries including the cruise line in- 

 dustry to convene workshops and conferences to discuss implemen- 

 tation of Annex V and develop plans for controlling marine debris. 

 The Admiral mentioned a workshop held in Merida in August of 

 1992 to develop action plans for debris in the wider Caribbean. In 

 addition, I participated along with other Federal, state, and local 

 officials in a seminar organized by the cruise industry in Florida in 

 1992 at which the industry was seeking better information on legal 

 requirements and exploring management and technology approach- 

 es to better managing waste generated aboard ships. 



Vessels, of course, are not the only source of marine debris, and 

 EPA is actively working to address land-based sources through 

 cleanup activities, identification of sources, public education, and 

 control measures. Through an agreement with NOAA, EPA is a co- 

 sponsor of the International Beach Cleanup events and two Centers 

 for Marine Conservation Public Information Offices which distrib- 

 ute educational materials. EPA has provided funds to CMC for a 

 public service announcement on plastic pollution and partially 

 funded the production of a video which was broadcast nationwide. 



The cleanups are designed to increase awareness of ocean pollu- 

 tion and appreciation of coastal environments. They are becoming 

 more popular and international each year now having the partici- 

 pation of all coastal states and 32 foreign countries. During the last 

 cleanup, 162,000 volunteers around the world participated in these 

 events. 



Also through a grant to CMC, EPA is funding a pilot project to 

 design statistical beach cleanups. This will involve citizen volun- 

 teer groups or citizen pollution patrols in monitoring and reporting 

 marine debris. The first year of our pilot study has been completed, 

 and the results indicate that it is possible to use properly trained 

 volunteers to collect statistically valid information on marine 

 debris. 



In addition, over the past several years, EPA has conducted field 

 investigations on the land-based sources of debris and prepared re- 

 ports assessing plastic problems in U.S. harbors. During these field 



