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5) We encourage the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Agriculture to jointly 

 address national and international concern over the high cost of onshore disposal of food 

 contaminated waste at U.S. ports. CMC has received numerous calls from commercial 

 vessel operators, who explain that the high fees charged for proper disposal of waste are a 

 disincentive to bring garbage ashore and properly dispose of it. In a 1991 survey conducted 

 by Texas and Louisiana Sea Grant on port reception facilities in the Gulf of Mexico, only five 

 to ten percent of vessels docking at these international ports were using the APHIS-approved 

 facilities provided for food contaminated waste. The reason for this underuti I ization of APHIS- 

 approved facilities appears to be the cost involved. Charges for handling waste at various 

 terminals surveyed ranged from $100 to $500 per cubic yard. 



Additionally, several cruise line officials interested in starting recycling programs have 

 related to the Center that APHIS regulations vary greatly from port to port (ie. regarding the 

 treatment of certain recyclables such as steel food containers and cardboard boxes), creating 

 impossible hurdles and disincentives for recycling. Clearly, uniform guidelines for these 

 materials need to be established by APHIS for all ports. 



6) We encourage the U.S. Coast Guard to provide guidance to shipping agents 

 regarding U.S. laws and APHIS regulations. CMC has learned that shipping agents are 

 often confused by U.S. waste disposal laws and fear that offloading trash in U.S. ports will 

 make them subject to the requirements and possible penalties under these laws including the 

 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) or the Comprehensive Environmental 

 Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). [In 1991 the State of Alaska took 

 action under RCRA against Holland America for disposing of chemicals classified as hazardous 

 waste with the garbage offloaded ashore.] Even when instructed to secure garbage handling 

 for their ships at port, some have hesitated to get involved because of their perception of 

 potential liability. The Coast Guard, in cooperation with the EPA as previously recommended, 

 can help by interpreting U.S. disposal laws such as RCRA and CERCLA in information 

 provided to agents and by providing resources such as lists of ports with approved APHIS 

 facilities and Certificates of Adequacy. 



IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF CRUISE INDUSTRY OPERATIONS 

 ON THE CARIBBEAN BASIN 



According to the cruise industry, cruise lines are currently carrying approximately 4.5 million 

 passengers per year. By the year 2000 they expect to exceed 8 million a year. We are not aware 

 of any studies to consider the cumulative impacts that this industry is having on the ecologically 

 sensitive Caribbean Basin, the number one cruise destination in the world. Twenty years ago, at the 

 onset of cruise travel in the Caribbean, island nations welcomed the cruise trade with open arms. 

 The added tourism meant a much needed boost to their economies. 



Twenty years later, these Caribbean countries are taking a hard look at the impact the cruise 

 industry is having on their economy as well as their environment. Several countries, including the 

 Bahamas, are considering reversing their "open arms'' policy and plan to begin restrictions on the 

 number of vessels that may visit their ports. Why the turn around in attitude? Caribbean nations 

 are finding that rather than increasing tourist revenue, the cruise industry is in direct competition 

 with their resorts and hotels for tourist dollars. Passengers who stream ashore for several hours do 

 not spend their money in local gift shops because ships advertise that the same merchandise is 

 available on board at lower prices. 



Aside from the economic impact, the cruise industry is having a deleterious effect on the 

 islanders quality of life and is also greatly impacting their marine resources. Imagine the impact of 

 5,500 passengers per day descending on the tiny island of Grand Cayman (approximately 76 square 

 miles in area) creating traffic congestion, overcrowded beaches, and overworked sanitary facilities. 

 At a recent conference on ecotourism a gentleman from St. Lucia reported counting 300 people in 

 line one day to use his restroom (for which he has to import water to maintain), yet no one bought 

 anything in his shop. 



Some Caribbean nations have begun to recognize the need for an assessment of the cruise line 

 industry's impact on their islands and their resources and are calling for an establishment of realistic 

 "carrying capacities." 



The following list outlines several of the environmental impacts that are of greatest concern: 



Center for Marine Conservation, Page 5 



