6. CONVENTION ON THE PREVENTION OF MARINE 

 POLLUTION BY DUMPING OF WASTES AND OTHER 

 MATTER, DECEMBER 29, 1972. NOT IN FORCE'' 



Opened for signature December 29, 1972; Signed on hehalf of the 

 United States Decemher 29, 1972; Ratification advised by the Senate 

 August 3, 1973; Ratified hy the President September 25, 1973; Rati- 

 fication deposited at Washington, London, Mexico City, 

 April 29, 1974'; Ratification deposited at Moscow May 6, 1974; 



The Contracting Parties to this Convention, 



Recognizing that the marine environment and the living organisms 

 which it supports are of vital importance to humanity, and all people 

 have an interest in assuring that it is so managed that its quality and 

 resources are not impaired ; 



Recognising that the capacity of the sea to assimilate wastes and 

 render them harmless, and its ability to regenerate natural resources, 

 is not unlimited ; 



Recognizing that States have, in accordance with the Charter o,f the 

 United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign 

 right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environ- 

 mental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within 

 their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment 

 of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction; 



Recalling Kesolution 2749 (XXV) of the General Assembly of the 

 United Nations on the principles governing the sea-bed and the ocean 

 floor and the subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of national jurisdic- 

 tion; 



Noting that marine pollution originates in many sources, such as 

 dumping and discharges through the atmosphere, rivers, estuaries, 

 outfalls and pipelines, and that it is important that States use the best 

 practicable means to prevent such pollution and develop products and 

 processes which will reduce the amount of harmful wastes to be dis- 

 posed o,f; 



Being convinced that international action to control the pollution 

 of the sea by dumping can and must be taken without delay but that 

 this action should not preclude discussion of measures to control other 

 sources of marine pollution as soon as possible ; and 



* Source: 93d Congress, 1st session. Senate. Executive C. 



RatiHed hy: Denmark (not applicable to Faroe Islands), Dominican Rep., Iceland, Jor- 

 dan, Norway, Philippines, Spain, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, United States, as of 

 Dec. 31, 1974 (Entry Into force requires ratification by 15 nations). 



Implementing legislation: Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 ; 

 Public Law 92-532 [H.R. 97271. 86 Stat. 1052, approved October 23, 1972; as amended 

 by Public Law 93-254 [H.R. 5450], 88 Stat. 50, approved March 22, 1974. 



(518) 



