71 
(ec) Support the concept of development of an interdisciplinary and inter-" 
organizational system primarily involving centres already in existence; 
(d) Initiate an interdisciplinary marine pollution data and scientific informa- 
tion referral capability. 
92. It is recommended: 
(a) That Governments collectively endorse the principles set forth in paragraph 
197 of Conference document A/CONF. 48/8 as guiding concepts for the UN Con- 
ference on the Law of the Sea and the Marine Pollution Conference scheduled to 
be held in. 1973 ana also the statement of objectives agreed on at the second session 
of the Inter-Governmental Working Group on Marine Pollution, which reads as 
follows: 
The marine environment and all the living organisms which it supports are 
of vital importance to humanity, and all people have an interest in assuring that 
this environment is so managed that its quality and resources are not im- 
paired. This applies especially to coastal area resources. The capacity of the sea 
to assimilate wastes and render them harmless and its ability to regenerate 
natural resources are not unlimited. Proper management is required and meas- 
ures to prevent and control marine pollution must be regarded as an essential 
element in this management of the oceans and seas and their natural resources., 
and that, in respect of the particular interest of coastal States in the marine en- 
vironment and recognizing that the resolution of this question is a matter for 
consideration at the Conference on the Law of the Sea, they take note of the 
principles on the rights of coastal States discussed but neither endorsed nor re- 
jected at the second session of the Inter-Governmental Working Group on Marine 
Pollution and refer those principles to the 1973 IMCO Conference for information 
and to the 1973 Conference on the Law of the Sea for such action as may be 
appropriate; 
(b) That Governments take early action to adopt effective national measures 
for the control of all significant sources of marine pollution, including land-based 
sources, and concert and co-ordinate their actions regionally and where appropriate 
on a wider international basis; 
(c) That the Secretary-General, in co-operation with appropriate international 
organizations, endeavours to provide guidelines which Governments might wish 
te take into account when developing such measures. 
93. It 1s recommended that any mechanism for co-ordinating and stimulting the 
actions of the different United Nations organs in connection with environmental 
problems include among its functions over-all responsibility for ensuring that 
needed advice on marine pollution problems shall be provided to Governments. 
94. It is recommended that the Secretary-General, with the co-operation of UN 
bodies, takes steps to secure additional financial support to those training and 
other programmes of assistance that contribute to increasing the capacity of 
developing countries to participate in international marine research, monitoring 
and polluticn-control programmes.”’ 
“101. It is recommended that the Secretary- General takes the appropriate steps, 
including the convening of an expert meeting, to organize an International 
Referral Service for sources of environmental information, taking into account 
the model described in paragraphs 129 to 136 of the report on educational, informa- 
tional, social and cultural aspects of environmental issues (A/CONF. 48/9), in 
order to assist in the successful implementation of all the recommendations made 
in respect of those aspects of environmental issues and of most of the reeommenda- 
tions envisaged in the other substantive subject areas covered in the Conference 
agenda.” 
